Amazingly hospitable, Great people, Historical British architecture, Great transport links, Good food .
Disadvantages:
Racist overcharging of foreign visitors . Third world government for a first rate people .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Calcutta. A city of 14,000 000 people, and one of the most vibrant and interesting cities in the world, and typically for India very hospitable too. Indians are beautiful people.
If you like architecture, its a living museum of British architecture with Howrah railway station and bridge, the biggest lighthouse(Shahid Minar) I've ever seen, slap bang in the centre......Tagore House, The amazing Marble Palace(free entrance), the old writers building on Dalhousie Square and best of all the Victoria Memorial. A huge white building not too dissimilar to the White House in size and in looks. Then there's the Birla Planetarium, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Kali and Paresnath Temples, and numerous other mosques and temples to visit.
Never been so enthralled with the buildings of a city as I was with Calcutta. There are just too many to name them all, and plenty more besides. To walk the city is to discover it. A Look under the shutters of a shop frontage will more often reveal the old facade just begging to be uncovered and restored back to its former glory. "Kolkata" as the Indian authorities have decided to rename this gem of a city. Eager to banish anything that carries a British name tag save for a few lucky or overlooked buildings, streets, etc was the old British capital for 300 years until that title was given to Delhi in the early part of the last century.
The streets are buzzing from the early hours with street stalls and food vendors. Packed with patrons who whilst trying to grab a bite to eat and a cup of chai to wash it down, spend their time dodging the hand rickshaws plying the narrow side streets carrying their passengers about their daily business. Its like stepping back in time, but hurry. The authorities are getting ever closer to banishing them to memory.
The city houses a number of fine museums, libraries and art galleries that alone would take a week to see and sadly set you back a small fortune. even by western standards. The government have deemed it not a racist act to charge us(foreigners) grossly inflated entrance prices compared to Indian visitors. If only they were bright enough to realise that most students travelling on gap years are single and a target market to get back in the future. Most could not afford to return years later with a family in tow and will not. Its just too expensive. Typical entrance fees are signed Indian r$20/Foreigner r$200, although the Taj Mahal in Agra is Indian r$20/Foreigner r$750. The city is also a shoppers paradise. From the bazaars and markets, like the imposing and aptly named "New Market". An old Victorian brick built market hosting traders of all types on one half and a meat market(not for the squeamish) on the other half.
Of interest to all should be a visit to "The Mother's House". The place from where Mother Teresa, along with the other sisters at the house began to tackle Calcutta's unimaginable hardships from way back when. The house contains a small museum which shows in the enormity of the task they set themselves and also contains personal effects that belonged to the Mother. Its quite moving regardless of religious background as these are women that devoted their lives to helping save others, and for nothing in return and with no political agenda. The Mother's tomb is there in the house and is open to viewing. A very sobering experience. A great woman.
Accommodation covers a broad spectrum, from budget places around Sudder Street, like the Centre Point guest house at 75 Rupees per night to the opulent Oberoi Grand at upwards of 8000 Rupees per night. There is something for every level. I'm happy at Centre Point.
All this in a city that's cheap and easy to travel across because of a huge availability of transport links. Metro, bus, taxi, rickshaw and hand rickshaw, make Calcutta a must see destination.
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