TURQUOISE CHILL

If any of you are wondering where this place called "Taki" is and why we chose to Drive there, well read on. A quick stop on the Malancha Bridge to click the view from up there. Taki is located around 60kms (71.2kms from our house) from Kolkata due east and is situated on the banks of the Ichamati River in the 24-Parganas North District. The River is the International Border between India & Bangladesh. The main Riverside Tourist Spot at the Promenade. The reason it has shot to fame is the Durga Puja Bijaya Dashami, when the borders are opened for one day and people from both countries cross over at this point to celebrate the festivities. It is also famous for it's Kali Puja and has one of the oldest Kali Temples. One of the main reasons for heading to Taki, the promise of an assortment of Fresh Fish. A boat carrying supplies down the river on the Indian Side. This is the narrowest Point in the river which acts as the International Border betw...

  Strand is one of those beautiful places in Kolkata where you can simply slow down, take in the views, and spend some time by the mighty Hooghly River. One of the many "joys" that makes Kolkata the City of Joy is the river that runs along its western edge, flowing from north to south. The riverside offers not just beautiful views but also the perfect setting to enjoy an evening with some of Kolkata's favourite street food — from steaming hot Puchkas to refreshing Soda Shikanji. You can also take a leisurely boat ride or hop aboard one of the many ferries and experience the city from the river. And then there are the magnificent views of two of Kolkata's iconic bridges. Looking north, you have the Howrah Bridge, officially Rabindra Setu, and looking south, the Vidyasagar Setu, popularly known as the New Hooghly Bridge. Both are remarkable engineering marvels and an integral part of Kolkata's skyline. On my way back, I had to stop and click a picture of this beaut...

  I was taking a walk towards Santoshpur Market near Jora Bridge when, while walking along the canal, I couldn't help but stop and take these pictures. These waterways, originally built to help disperse rainwater, have sadly become little more than sewage canals and dumping grounds for garbage. Yet, whenever Kolkata receives heavy rain and parts of the city flood, citizens are quick to complain about the problem. But how can we expect flooding to be prevented when we continue to choke the very waterways designed to carry away excess rainwater? Kolkata has a comprehensive network of canals, much of it developed during the British era after careful study of the city's topography and its vulnerability to inundation. These canals were designed to channel water towards the vast natural catchment of the East Kolkata Wetlands. Today, however, many of these vital waterways are being clogged with garbage, sewage and encroachments. It is a problem that requires both civic action and resp...

  One of those places you can never go wrong with when you want to have a good meal in Kolkata is Mocambo. Even if you have to wait a while to get a table, it is always more than worth it. Today was going to be all about the sizzlers, but not before starting with one of Mocambo's signature appetisers—the Pepper Devilled Crab. Rich, flavourful and the perfect way to whet the appetite, it set the tone for what was to come. The sizzlers arrived, sizzling away as expected, filling the table with their irresistible aroma. And then, to round off a wonderful meal, came the Baked Alaska—flambéed right at the table. The dramatic finish, along with the delicious dessert, was just the perfect way to end another memorable meal at this Kolkata institution.