For all the people who really want to experience the City of Joy, this is a quick list of 12 things you must try. If you are one of those who believe that the best way to explore a city is to visit the best pubs, restaurants and malls only, this is certainly NOT for you. Also, this list is NOT exhaustive. It's just the first things that came to my mind one homesick night. :( Feel free to add on. I am sure Kolkata has much much more to offer.
- Take a ferry ride across the Hooghly: This is one of the coolest, cheapest, fastest and efficient modes of transport available in the city. Especially if you want to come to the city from Howrah station and the Howrah Bridge is choked with traffic, take a Rs 4 ticket and hop on to a ferry to Babughat or Ahiritola. Do not sit. Stand on the deck. You will love to watch and photograph the Howrah Bridge and the three other hanging bridges in all their majestic splendour. The best time to take the ferry is during sunset when you get the sinking sun, the river and the bridges in a single frame
- Visit College Street: It is THE book market of Kolkata. Some people believe that almost every book ever published by mankind is available here. Hunt well and you can discover books that are out of print now, or maybe even more than a century old. Bargain well, and you can take home a copy of the first edition of 'Oxford Short Stories' for Rs 5 (as I did a few years ago). While you're at it, do visit the Presidency College, have an 'Infusion' at the legendary Indian Coffee House and the really really awesome Daab Sherbet at Paramount, one of the old school sherbet shops
- Shop at Gariahat: Much before Kolkata got all these big malls, Puja shopping invariably meant a trip to Gariahat, no matter in which corner of the city you lived in. The array of goods you get on the roadside there is mindboggling. From crockery to skirts, from handbags to electronics - you have it all. Just make it a point to hone up your bargaining skills before you go there. Also do visit Anandamela-the electronics store and the many famous saree shops there.
- Photography at Princep Ghat: If you have seen Parineeta, you must be knowing how picturesque Princep Ghat is. It's cliched, but it's beautiful. It's real fun to take some pics among the pillars with those endless combinations. And with the river and the Second Hooghly Bridge in the background, it just looks out of the world. And while you are there, do not forget to check out SCOOP, the ice cream parlour with fun sundaes and an awesome view of the river.
- Celebrate Christmas at Bow Barracks: Bow Barracks is the locality inhabited by the Anglo-Indian community of Kolkata. Christmas is the best time to spend here since a lot of the children who now live in more lucrative countries like Dubai or Australia come home. Every home spells out warmth through the mulled wines and the homemade cakes they make. But do not make a mistake. A lot of women on that street can make a decent 'macher jhol' too.
- Watch sculptors at Kumortuli: Kumortuli is the little dingy place in North Kolkata which makes all the clay (and now fibreglass) idols for all of Kolkata and even elsewhere. Idols - of any deity and of course, Durga. Spend an afternoon there and watch the master sculptors at work. It's amazing as how some of the most little known artists bring life out of clay and create magic. They have always been my heroes. As a child, they were the people I thanked the most during the Pujas. They always, even now, make the goddess come alive for so many people and keep restoring faith in us.
- Electronics at Chandni Chowk: THE electronics market of the city, this place, along with it's lanes and by lanes has given birth to many a Kolkata genius. From top notch original stuff to cheap home made knockoffs of every product and brand possible - you'll get it here. Repairs that your official service centre has given up on? Or something fun that costs you a bomb? Look well and you'll find a little genius hidden in one of these shops who will make magic with a soldering iron and a voltmeter.
- Take a metro ride: I'd suggest, take an end-to-end metro ride. Kolkata metro has a stretch below the ground and one above. Make sure you cover both. The first metro of India, it's a sheer pleasure to ride. Fast, convenient and surprisingly cheap. Make sure to check out the names of the newer stations. It's kinda funny.
- Eat Chinese food at Tangra: The only Chinatown of India is located in Tangra, Kolkata. It also happens to be the place where you'll get the best EVER Chinese food. And mind you, it's not Indian Chinese. It's Chinese Chinese. The real stuff. Right from the mainland. If you eat there once, I'm sure you'll want to go back there many, many more times. And after that fabulous meal, make sure you visit the Chinese Kali Temple and the Chinese School there and also pick up a copy of the local Chinese newspaper. The best time to go there is of course, the Chinese New Year.
- Park Street: Park Street has a life of it's own, which can not be described unless you take a walk down this very colourful, fabled and awesome street. Start at the Park Circus end. Have soem Biryani at Shiraz, some firni at Arsalan and come to Mallick Bazar. Buy some sevaiyan from there, check out the Assembly of God Church building, the Marwari saree shops, the 17 schools on Park Street, St.Xavier's College and some of the best restaurants in Kolkata. Drop by the antique store, the Oxford Bookstore, Hobby Centre, Giggles - the knick knack shop. Grab a drink at Olypub. Experience Park Street.
- Explore New Market: New Market is another old favourite shopping destination. Here too, you'll find some of the most legendary stores of Old Calcutta. You will also find stores selling all sorts of imported cosmetics, pet food, clothes etc etc. Check out the Chinese leather stores where you can custom design your own genuine leather footwear. Buy silver trinkets form Chamba Lama and have cheese samosa made out of Jewish cheese at the Jewish bakery - Nahoum's.
- Take a tram ride: This is a mode of transport you will find in no other Indian city. It runs on rails in the heart of the city, often blamed for holding up traffic. But the unadulterated old world charm accompanied by the rock bottom fares starting at Rs 3.50 has created the Tram it's own fan base. Best suited for a leisurely morning, try to hop on to one of those new trams as well. A tram ride near Maidan on a rainy evening is the stuff dreams are made of.
