Weekend in Kolkata

Maiden, Sunday afternoon, Kolkata
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After very little sleep, two hours at Mumbai Domestic Air terminal and two hours flying I arrived in Kolkata on Saturday morning.

After a hair-raising taxi drive across busy city streets, dodging taxis, buses, auto-rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and human-powered rickshaws I finally arrived at the oasis that was the Fairlawn Hotel. I was welcomed and after waiting for my room to be ready (I had arrived early) was able to put my bags down and relax.  I didn't stay long at the hotel and headed straight out to explore the city.

Vistoria Memorial, Kolkata
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I actually didn't do much exploring on that first day as I was a little weary from all that travelling.  The following day, however I dragged myself out of bed and headed to the National Museum, just round the corner from my hotel.  There I found many interesting exhibits, such as statues, sculptures and artefacts as well as very 'traditional' displays of rock and stuffed animals (which, in agreement to the comments in the Rough Guide 'could do with a decent burial'!).  After luch I headed to the Victoria Memorial, the symbol of colonial Kolkata (sorry, Calcutta).  TIP: DON'T visit the Victoria Memorial on a Sunday afternoon! It was teeming with people and this prevented me from appreciating some interesting displays!

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A short walk followed, taking in St Paul's cathederal and Park Street, and then a reutn to the hotel for more relaxtion.

Maybe more time time is needed in Kolkata to really appreciate and warm to it......