East India Visit-Kolkata and Haldia

East India Visit-Kolkata and Haldia

Finally my dreams of visiting East India came true with my official trip planned for both Kolkata and Haldia. It was a 4 day trip with 3 days in Kolkata and 1 day in Haldia and I was pretty much excited about it. In fact one of my schoolmate commented on it saying “My gastronomic journey has begun which I planning to make it true”.

My flight was at early morning 5.30am and I had to get up at 2 am but it was not difficult as I hardly slept the night off. Reached Kolkata at 7.30 am and by the time I could reach office was at around 9.30 am. It is a wet Kolkata at this time which I came to know will remain the same till September. Its just raining, raining and raining nonstop from morning till evening with thunder and lightning adding to the touches. In fact the first day of our arrival, there was heavy thunder and lightning near the office which actually made me jump literally in my seat. Kolkata roads are typically flooded and more of water clogging and the Government needs to do something about it. Also the traffic jams are worse which reminded me of Bangalore.

My experience in Kolkata was not so good in terms of meeting people in the sense I was completely fooled from the time I arrived in the airport and hiring a private cab which charged me triple than was actually the bill. Also while visiting one of the famous Kali Ghat temple, the local people who promise to get you direct darshan also charged me more. Ideally I would not have minded standing in the queue if I was not getting late for the office. I learnt one thing that you need to know someone locally to take you around the local places. It will definitely help.

But when it came to tasting the local cuisine, I enjoyed every bit of it. My friend had suggested a few places in Kolkata as a must try but I could try only one place –Arselan’s Biryani and Mutton chop which was good . So was Ilish mach( fish) which is prepared in turmeric and Pomfret Masala and Pomfret Fry. Local food is rice and fish curry along with Dal.. My friend also suggested Peter Cat’s- Chelo kabab which I thought will try but there was a huge waiting queue outside skipped the plan. Maybe anybody else planning can try it out along with the other dishes- shiraz’s -,biryani, Tengra - chinese,  chicken bharta at Dhaba, Rezala at Zeeshan, Mishti  Doi ( Sweet curd which I tried but did nt like) .There are lots and lots of local joints - Amber, Oh Calcutta, Mocambo, etc etc. Besides local Phuchka ( Panipuri) and Jhalmuri ( Bhelpuri).Of course how can i forget Rasgulla whcih is really yummy. One will also find lots  of Gupta and Brother joints here.And of course people here are used to eating sweets in the morning only. Simply enjoyed the local food.
Cotton is cheap in Kolkata .Hence picked up sarees and Dress materials in abundance.

Kolkata to Haldia is  some 2- 2 1/2 hours jouney by car. Haldia  is a small place not much to see.On the way to Haldia and back was able to view the Hooghly 2 and Howrah bridge which is an architectural marvel in itself. Also was able to pass through the Mother Teresa home. If had time and no rain would have planned to visit at least .