Too hot

 We had the bedroom fan on all night and no cover. It's not yet summer, either. But we slept, with no disruption from rats, cockroaches, car horns, cockerels, or any of the other night-time oddities we've experienced or predicted. Breakfast on the balcony in the shade with a breeze was lovely - corn flakes and muesli. The area does have a few trees around so plenty of birds; one crow (maybe?!) was particularly tame and perched close.  I'll try and photograph it tomorrow and be corrected. 


We Ubered into the city to meet Nandini and Somnath, travel agents who have organised us a trip to the Sundarbans, the unique mangrove delta where the rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghana discharge into the Bay of Bengal. Despite relatively heavy tourism it's a great area for wildlife (famously tigers, but they're almost impossible to spot) and observing the rural life. We were very late booking, but it seems we're being given rather special treatment. Again, perhaps personal contact is important as the organisers are friends with Gulnar and Cyrus, Jenny's old friends in Kolkata. 




Once sorted at their office we took a normal (for Kolkata!) taxi to see St Paul's Cathedral which is right next to the planetarium with its beautiful gardens. 




No photos allowed inside the cathedral. Shame - it's really lovely

As we headed back we saw these screens going up for miles - this is just the frame to accommodate the miles of Indian flag. President Modi is in town tomorrow and Thursday and the screening prevents him seeing any protesters. He is a very divisive figure. 

Back "home" we sat out watching the local wildlife including chipmunks and, on the tree, a very busy coppersmith barbet. There's a coconut palm above our balcony; the corvids love to peck away at the fruit but I'd not like one to land on my head! 



Spot the barbet! 


We're out for supper with Gulnar and Cyrus tonight- but no idea what time Cyrus will be coming for us when he's finished work; he runs a shipping agent and a trucking company and work is never really finished. 





Comments

  1. Anonymous6 March 2024 at 01:42

    Enjoying reading about your amazing tour - look after yourselves! Xx

    ReplyDelete

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