One of my wife's office colleagues was visiting Kolkata from London, and since he had a free weekend, we decided that it would be a shame to let him spend it indoors. After all, if you're visiting the City of Joy, you really ought to experience a little bit of the city beyond the usual tourist stops!
So, we decided to play tourist ourselves and take him sightseeing.
Our first stop was the magnificent Dakshineswar Temple. Perched on the banks of the Hooghly, the temple is one of those places that instantly makes you pause. The architecture, the crowds, the bells, the rituals and the sheer energy of the place together create an atmosphere that is unmistakably Kolkata.
From Dakshineswar, we decided to take a boat across the Hooghly to Belur Math. And what better way to see the city than from the river?
As the boat gently made its way across, Kolkata seemed to take on a completely different personality. We even passed under the Bally Railway Bridge, the massive railway bridge spanning the Hooghly. Seeing the bridge from water level, with trains rumbling overhead, was quite a sight and added another little bit of Kolkata to our river journey.
The river breeze, the skyline, the ghats and the ever-present activity along the banks made the short journey feel like an experience in itself. For Mark, coming all the way from London, this was probably as different from his everyday routine as it could possibly get!
Belur Math was the perfect second stop. Peaceful, beautifully maintained and almost meditative in its surroundings, it offered a wonderful contrast to the bustle of Dakshineswar.
But somewhere between the temple visits, the boat ride and our conversations, the day became less about sightseeing and more about getting to know each other.
Mark and I got along splendidly. It was one of those unexpected things that makes an outing memorable. We started the day showing him Kolkata, but by the end of it, it felt as though we had simply spent a lovely weekend together with an old friend.
And perhaps that's the best way to experience the City of Joy — not merely by seeing its landmarks, but by sharing its sights, sounds, stories and experiences with good company.
A temple, a boat ride across the Hooghly, passing under a historic railway bridge, a little bit of Kolkata's history and culture, and a new friendship thrown in for good measure.
Now that's what I call a weekend well spent!
