Hello Kolkata

The last day in Varanassi was one for chilling. I tried the pool again only to find there was another function in the pool area so bang went my idea of chilling there once I had checked out. I booked this place because of the pool. Instead it was in use every day and I got to be in a lovely hotel miles from anywhere and to get to the city I had to listen to the toots an hour each way. Not happening today. 

Instead I hung around the hotel and took in the happenings of the day. 

A massage seemed the perfect time waster and off I went. Not the best I’ve had but relaxing and soothing. Soon I am at the airport hanging out and wondering what my final stop will be like. 

I find out soon enough. My luggage arrives, my driver awaits and soon we are driving along lovely roads to my destination which thank goodness is right in the centre of the city. On the drive we pass beautiful buildings, tree lined streets and some slums. It was dark so I could not see a lot but enough to know I did not want to visit these slums as I had originally planned. 

Arriving at the hotel was a bit spesh. Attention from all directions. This was my splurge place where I had greatly exceeded my NZD100 per night. For the price of a cheapish hotel at home I am in a 5 star posh place swarming with staff and very shiny. Not that there has been anything wrong with the other places I have stayed but this is just a bit nicer. I knew it didnt have a pool but has a nice garden where I can chill by day. That was the plan anyway. 

I arrived at 9:30pm and being a bit shattered and hungry I ordered room service. I had a salad!!!! And it was delicious. Me eating a salad by choice is quite unusual but right now I am so over curries that a salad was a perfect choice. And it was great. 

After a broken sleep caused by people chatting in the hallway, builders bashing hell out of something down the road, cleaners moving furniture (in the middle of the night??) I had breakfast and set off. 

The Belgian lady I sat next to on the plane recommended a cafe to me so that’s what I went in search of. The walk was great, the cafe wasn’t but it took me past markets, parks, shops and statues. I got my bearings and know what to go back and check out. The yellow cabs intrigued me. They look to be from another era. 

This is so different to the other places I have been. The tooting is minimal, the footpaths are still broken, the sleaze not visible and even the markets are easy to navigate.  There are street food stalls in abundance so I now know where to go. I spied some great street art and will search for more. This feels like a city where people live rather than just exist. I love it. It feels like a new country. I am looking forward to getting to know the city better. 

I slept for most of the rest of the day then decided to go to the garden to read my newly purchased book (with big type for silly eyes)  Guess what?  Yep! You’ve got it. There was a function in the garden which made it out of bounds. Bumm. 

My day came to a close after a great curry in the hotel restaurant then time to start my book and call it a night.