Kolkata is a large city in India with a hat-tipped toward an intellectual atmosphere and history. The city is one of the most populous cities in India. Commonly known as the ‘City of Joy’, the city was a former capital under the British rule until 1911. From a bustling city center to calming green spaces and humidity, ones’ senses will be fully engaged.
Pictured above: 25 Main Street Cafe (left), STORY Bookstore (middle), Third Wave Cafe (right)
During my time in Kolkata, I have had the joy of visiting numerous sweet cafes. One example of a drink I had not tried before was a green apple iced tea, which remains common here. Additionally, Third Wave Cafe also offers a rose matcha, which is delicious on a hot day. Earlier in the week, Rick and I also went to STORY, a large bookstore and a reprieve from the busy flow of traffic.
If you plan to visit Kolkata, I would recommend staying in Salt Lake, a suburb-style area from the city center. The area is slightly less busy and was designed on a planned city blocks structure.
One of the highlights of the trip so far has been visiting Victoria Memorial. The monument was built to honor Queen Victoria by the British Raj in the early 1900’s. From beautiful gardens to marble details, the gardens are expansive. Even during a humid day, the monument was a highlight for me.
In between sightseeing, Rick and I have stopped for ramen and explore numerous cafes. The cafe culture in Kolkata is wonderful. From artisan coffeehouses to local chains and matcha/tea cafes, there is a wide variety of cafes. During one afternoon, I visited St. John’s Cathedral (see the middle and right upper photos). Located in the heart of Kolkata and for a 10 INR fee, the cathedral was located in a humble lush park.
Most recently, I went to Bean Stop, a delicious cafe that serves milkshakes, smoothies, smoothie bowls, sandwiches, burgers and more.
In the next day or two, Rick and I will be making our way to Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha. Bhubaneswar is also known as the ‘City of Temples’. Home to botanical gardens and temples, the city is substantially smaller compared to Kolkata (1.27 million versus 4.6 million). I am looking forward to seeing additional architectural wonders on the trip. Our final stop will be Kharagpur, home of an IIT, to explore the campus and get the feeling of a smaller city (330,000 people).
