This 7 mile high trail went from Kolkata to Singapore - a mere 3.5 hour flight over a couple thousand miles....tap the easy button
Kathy is a Windsor friend of mine and the newly weds and came to the wedding. She camped out at the Park Hotel where I stayed. Over a few days we were tour buddies as we both witnessed the crusty Kolkata oyster and the pearls.
On my departure day - I bid a long farewell while she bought me dinner at Peter Cat -
was given the stamp of approval by my pal Utpal.
It was very good food - I had fried rice - grilled bhetki fish- and a chicken soup. A feast for 10 us dollars. - Thanks Kathy - my best meal in india- your treat.
6pm was my Hotel departure time for the airport trip. Dinner and the short walk back got us there right in time to be greeted by my fav driver.
A greeting hand shake for Utpal, a hug and a wave for Kathy and I was off to the east.
The airport is about 30 kilometers from the hotel. It took a good 90 minutes to get there. In the dark, Kolkata ' s crust is softened by lots of pretty lights, mist of which go dark after the Christmas lighting season ends.
It still looked crusty - but I did see more of the new developing area New Town closer to the airport. Out here the shiny new hotels, housing, stores etc contrasts sharper with all the old crust.
In the city there is way more old crust vs older crust.
Utpal is a nice guy - he finished his Bengali life story and pointed out spots of optimism and new beginnings with pride and hope things will get better there.
At arrival we had a hug and farewell. Ill miss his wit and skills. With the hug he happily accepted my last tip ' a 1000 rupee bill for his efforts. It's only 16 dollars but almost 3 days pay for him.
I had a few Rupees left hoping to grab a bite and a souvenir - but the all new airport hasn't installed retail yet - says a lot about how fast things move. Utpal is young - maybe in his lifetime
Singapore Airways flight was nice and easy. Arrived at 4:30 local time in this magnificent huge airport and proceeded to breeze through passport check and an empty space calked CUSTOMS - Welcome to Singapore. A truly happy vapor trail landing.
I chilled a bit at the airport waiting a bit for sun to rise from the further east so I could see things on my way to the Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clark Quay.
It worked - I saw a beautiful place at sunrise -
oh so different than Kolkata. ..... way more gem ...than crust ......that I could see.
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