We left via Shillong Airport which apparently is a an adventure in it own right, due to its mountain location the weather is hugely variable and most flights are cancelled. All i know is the security at this tiny hill side aerodrome is tighter than USA, Russia and China all rolled into one. Lloyd must of had his hand luggage scanned 5 times each time emptying and repacking to point his disapproval must of become visible as the senior guard went thought it with a fine tooth comb just make a point. That aside the flight actually left 30 minutes early and we arrived to hot and humid Kolkatta in 90 minutes.
the distance in smiles
Being pulled in a engineless rickshaw! our final tribute to the humble rickshaw walla
Given our flight to Dubai was at 9am the next morning we questioned an airport based hotel with a pool and wifi, or getting involved in the centre and head out to consume the old capital city of India in just one evening. As we arrived early there was no real decision, we jumped straight into a taxi, everyone at every point trying to do something for you to warrant a tip, we managed to get away from the airport more or less intact. Gazing out the window we were whisked down side road after alley, scraping arses of cows and vendors alike we pulled up on Sudder St. Our chosen hotel was The Fairlawn, a 3* with good reviews and sensible price to boot. The place was amazing, the colonial walls adorned with photos of celebrities, guests, the entire royal family, and tat, one persons life time collection of knik-knacks, antiques and colonial left overs, it was truly fascinating if not overwhelming. Our room was hugh and had a big free standing bath, one i wish id actually used, But the streets were calling.
We heading out to change up some pounds, we hadn't seen an exchange bureau since Cochin and there were markets galore to be explored and not much time. first stop the pub. 2 freezing bottles of Kingfisher strong, a selection of local tandori kebabs and we where gone, the markets bustled with thousands of sellers and buyers bartering for fish, meat, textiles, spices everything, everything you could ever imagine was thrust into the this one giant indoor market. if you look at anything for anyone for too long everyone in spitting distance would try and sell you something. regardless of weather it was their shop or not. buying a shirt involved 10 salesman, buying tea involved 12. the price defiantly goes up at these times!
We managed to purchase shirts, trousers, tea and could have had anything else we desired but we wondered for an hour or two, sank a few more beers and went to bed. . . For all of 50 minutes before deciding we had in no way seen enough of this great city and tried to get a cab to take us somewhere, anywhere. The cabs were rare, in fact nothing at all was open. the place was a ghost town but the security guard of the hotel woke up his friend to take us around the city at 1pm. he however knew a late night food joint, the only thing open in the city it seemed. As this was to be our last meal in india we ordered big and with naan, tandoori chicken, salad and cola underarm scuttled back to the cab to eat our way round the great city. or back to the hotel it seemed. 3pm saw the curtains draw on this epic and most amazing adventure.
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