TRAVEL BLOG - Kolkata Tour - Nov 2019
22nd Nov 2019
I had organised this tour with my friends, and not as a part of The Golden Age Travels. I was in Gurgaon, reached Kolkata at 9:30 AM and reached Gowri's (my sister's) house at 10:30 AM. We had a nice breakfast and after lunch went to Boro Bazar. Bought a few pants for Pritha and Chotu and one shirt for Dig Bijoy. I slept in Nivedita's room.23rd Nov 2019
Next day at 6:30, I started for Howrah station. I had to pickup Korobi and Shipi. We reached Howrah station very early. Shipi broke her suitcase zip. She could not get it repaired so had to tie a chain around and lock it. The station was not very clean but we had to adjust. Korobi had brought 6 parathas and aloo gobhi, it was nice. Mala did not come as she was not feeling well. Shipi had booked the train. It took nearly 3 hours to reach. The hotel had booked a toto for us. A driver called Muzibur came to pick us up. We had booked a senior citizen hotel at Sonarjhuri. On the way was Shanti Niketan fair. We had lunch, it was just like home made food, simple and nice. After lunch we went to the evening fair, it was very nice. I danced with the villagers. Bought a few sarees and stoles. Evening we went to see Shantiniketan and a handicraft shop. I bought one silk saree for 4000.24th Nov 2019
Woke up early morning, took bath and had breakfast - puri and sabji. After that we visited Ma Kali Tala Shakthi Peeth. As it was sunday it was too crowded.Korobi had not had breakfast, so she had puri sabji on the way. I bought 3 plants for Gowri on the way, Shipi also bought a few. The previous night seeing what others bought, all of us were not satisfied with our shopping, so morning again we added a few more to our bags.
Had lunch, very simple one and then proceeded to railway station. It was Shanti Niketan Express at 1:30 PM. Reached kolkata at 5:30 PM, booked a cab, dropped Shipi, Korobi and finaly reached Gowri's house. Took bath, washed clothes and had dinner.
25th Nov 2019
Morning after breakfast, went to Garia, bought few shakapola, one big bag and a silk blouse for myself.Afternoon, after lunch took rest for sometime then booked a cab for Sealdah. Gowri and I were going to Puri. The train was empty, slept in the lower berth. Early morning at 4 AM we reached Puri.
We took a battery auto and reached hotel Victoria which was booked earlier, The main gate was closed, we sat at the side of the beach. At 5AM they opened the gate, our room was not ready so they gave us a temporary room. We went to the beach and enjoyed getting drenched. We took a bath and went to Jagannath temple, but it was too crowded and we couldn't see Lord Jagannath. We were both very disappointed. I gave some amount for prasad, he asked us to come again at 12 noon. When we went the temple was closed for bhog. The panda made us sit at one place and left. After an hour, the temple reopened. We had a very good darshan, they gave us bhog, we brought it to our hotel and had lunch. Evening we went to the beach. Gowri wanted to buy Shankh (conchshell) but did not find any. Sat for an hour and came back to the room. Dint feel like eating anything at night.
26th Nov 2019
We woke up at early at 4 AM and went to the station. We had booked Puri Express Shatabdi. They gave nice breakfast and lunch. We reached Kolkata at 1 PM, took a cab and reached Gowris house. Evening I bought two blouses for my sarees from Hiranmayee.27th Nov 2019
I woke up at 6AM and started from home at 7 AM. I had a 10 AM flight. I had lot of luggage. Gowri had made pillows for Adi and also bought some grains for me. Bag was very heavy, found it difficult to pull. The flight was delayed, reached Mona's house at 3PM. Overall, the tour was good. Visited Shantiniketan and also Lord Jagannath - both my desires were fulfilled.P.S - These are excerpts from my beloved mother's diaries and journals. Hope you find them useful. Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
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