Back to Kolkata ..

We made it back to Kolkata half an hour before the planned arrival time; immigration and customs were quick (well – for most) and we were soon picked up for the transfer to the hotel and the rest of the day was in our hands.

Together with two fellow travelers I was now on a quest for a traditional High Tea. Unfortunately the go-to-place for that – the Oberoi Grand – was closed for renovation, so our destination was another high-end luxury hotel with an attached tea lounge. It took as more than an hour to walk the 3.5km, first following Park Street (passing by the seat of the archbishop) and then through the market along Chowringee Road – what a culture shock after our quiet time in Bhutan. When we arrived at the hotel, we were quick to realize that the tea lounge had survived only in name – and not as a place for a traditional cuppa with cucumber sandwiches and scones. A bit disappointed we gave the hotel’s restaurant a go – had a cup of tea along with some sandwiches – followed by cake in the hotel’s bakery … essentially a DIY High Tea. This was all washed down with a nice local orangy Gin & Tonic, before we hit a taxi, to get back to our hotel.

We left Kolkata in the early morning of the next day for our flight back home.
This has been another great trip, a great itinerary, an superb group and outstanding tour leaders – combined with the best weather, natural beauty all along and fabulous views. A clear recommendation!

Back to India – incredible India

It’s been a bit less than a decade since I have last been to India – a trip I remember as an action-filled and fairly intense one (read: sensory overload) … It was now indeed time to head back and explore another region of the subcontinent – now focusing on the North-Eastern states of West Bengal and Sikkim – continuing on into Bhutan.

Air India once more got me from Frankfurt to Delhi (on a fairly run-down 787) and on to Kolkata. We made it here in the afternoon and were picked up by the tour leader at the airport. The trip to the hotel tool a while through the Kolkata traffic – and we made it to the hotel after sunset. After dinner in the hotel, some of us ventured out to get a taste of the local beer.