C for Calcutta

I visited Calcutta in Oct 2006. It was extremely hot and humid, worse than where I come from (Madras and no, it's not M for Madras or may be?) and the traffic was beyond anyone's imagination. It was just madness. I was hosted there by a couch surfing member (yes yes I used to actively couch surf then) and we did the one-day Calcutta darshan - visited the mandatory Victoria memorial, St Paul's Cathedral, Belur Mutt etc etc.

What stood out the most about Calcutta for me were 2 things - 1. The food. Simply amazing. Especially a restaurant called Bhojo Hari Manna. Don't miss it, even if you are a pure vegetarian like me. 2. The old world charm, especially in the cobblestoned alleys that sort of took me back to the pre-independence era and the tram rides.

What I hated the most was the traffic and had to leave at least 3 hours ahead if I wanted to reach somewhere on time.

Wishlist: Cambodia, Cyprus Canada

St Paul's Cathedral

Victoria Memorial

Goddess Kali, ready for immersion after the Chat pooja

Vijaya Chandra Setu ( a cousin of the Howrah bridge)

Netaji Subash Chandra Bose's residence and the car that he used to escape from the British. And I don't look like that now. :) 

Dakshineshwar Kali Mandir