We managed to squeeze in a short visit to Calcutta on our way to catch our flight to Bangkok (feels weird to be flying somewhere else and not back home). Now our time in Calcutta was very short - 6 hours infact, so really only managed to get first (or short) impressions. Although, it nearly all went pear-shaped as a Cyclone was due to hit Calcutta shortly before we were also due to turn up! But India doesn't let bad weather stop the national institution that is the train system and we left on time, and by the time we arrived in Calcutta the weather was sunny and the locals were well on their way to repairing the damage - lots of trees blown over and sadly 25 people were killed.
So Calcutta........it looks very different from Delhi with modern buildings and some grand old ones. We also saw photos at the Victoria Memorial Museum which gave the impression that Calcutta in the 40s & 50s looked amazing, but it looks a bit run down now and like the rest of India - overcrowded. Although, when you crossed the river the view looked like it could have been Glasgow, Manchester or New York - at least from a distance. There were also loads of yellow taxi cabs which added to this feeling.
Calcutta also has its own type of rickshaw - we've seen auto and bicycle elsewhere, but here they have "man" rickshaws - just guys pulling folk around! Rather them than me looked hard work.
Well, our short and sweet visit was over and we were back on the train for the next 31 hours! (don't worry, books were at the ready and we'd upgraded to 2AC - luxury!)
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