# Day 3, 15th August 2009:- A family function was the reason I had gone to Kolkata. It was my maternal uncle’s first death anniversary and it happened to be on 15th August. The house was full of relatives both near and distant ones. I and my mom spent the whole afternoon chatting with some of them. In the evening there was a remembrance gathering which included neighbors also. But it seemed most of the people had just come to chat. While songs were being sung, people at back just kept talking. I stopped myself from standing up and shouting “Stop this facade.” There was just lot of hypocrisy around and I would not like to dwell on that. Moving on to the next day;
# Day 4, 16th August 2009 :- At last Dad took me sightseeing around Kolkata..but due to rains we couldn’t stick to our time schedule. First we went to Science City.
Science City, the largest science centre in the sub-continent, under the National Council of Science Museums consists of two facilities, the Science Centre and the Convention Centre. The Science Centre complex comprises Space Odyssey, Dynamotion, Evolution Theme Park, Maritime Centre and a Science Park. The Space Odyssey houses India’s first Large Format Film Theatre, Time Machine, 3-D Vision Theatre, Mirror Magic and exhibits on space science, motion, electricity and virtual reality. The Dynamotion Hall has a Butterfly Corner, Aquaria, an exposition on giant robotic insects and host of interactive exhibits on science & technology for both education and entertainment of the visitors.
It was an awesome place for people interested in science. There was a small scientific show on dry ice where I got applauded for my correct answers. 😀 The Time Machine was cool too but my mom got very scared. A 70 mm documentary called “The Living Sea” was telecasted in the Space Theatre. It was simply awesome!! Though photography was prohibited people were taking pictures inside the theatre. I decided not to in the best interests of my camera. In the collage below you can see the science city building, mom walking on the musical piano, the “see your voice” equipment and “The Powers of Ten”.
Due to rain, we were unable to visit rest of science city and take more snaps. 😦 Then we went to visit one of my Dad’s friends in South Kolkata and had lunch there. I was able to take a snap of the famous “Tram”. Kolkata is the only city in India to have a tram network. Kolkata tram is the oldest operating electric tram of Asia, running since 1902. Trams are under the administration of the Calcutta Tramways Company, popularly called CTC.
From there we went to the Millennium Park located along the Strand Road. The most wonderful thing about this park is that its on the bank of river Hooghly. A nice place to sit and relax. But there are some bad areas of the park where one can see the pollution of the river. One can see both the Vidyasagar Setu and the Howrah Bridge from the park. Check out my photoblog for more photos of the park and its activities.
It was already dusk by the time we reached the famous Victoria Memorial. So all the snaps did not come out that well as my camera is not suited for night photography.
Dead tired after roaming about all day, we came back home.
# Day 5, 17th August 2009 :- Spent the morning shopping at the City Centre Mall in Salt Lake. Bought 2 dress materials and two pairs of shoes for myself 😀 My soul would have been restless if I returned from a trip without any shopping!! 🙂 Then afternoon went in packing and we left for station by 6 pm, 2 hours before the train’s departure time. Kolkata traffic and roads are unpredictable!!
As soon as we reached Howrah station, I made a beeline for the Wheeler outlet and bought a lot of books and increased our luggage by one bag consisting only of books 😀
Reached home next day after a nice and “fruitful” trip to Kolkata 🙂
Nice picture of the Victoria memorial. That lion reminded me of the famous Egyptian sphynx!
thanks!
Hmm, looks like you had a lot of fun then! 🙂
I had visited this place called Science city on my industrial visit in Amritsar, very interesting too!
yeah I did!
Nice post again…
Thanks for it. I felt like I was traveling in the city of Kolkata.
The Salt Lake, Howrah are very familiar to me for some great Novels I read by Somoresh Mukharjee, Sunil Ganguly…..
thanks! Oh I have never read those!
the picture named “dark times” is classic !!
😀
Wonderful
Sounds like a great city.
Isnt Cal famous for leather goods?
oh yes it is! But I didnt get that much time to explore.
the pictures are wonderful Reema… 🙂
victoria memorial picture is superb 🙂
thank u
Nice pics, as always!
And yaar, hypocrisy is everywhere… can’t really help it!
I would like to see trams once… it would be fun to travel in that..
thanks! I have never travelled in them!
Reema, all your pictures are good. I remember visiting the Science Museum when we were there. I remember I enjoyed it a lot. For shopping we always used to go to that main market, non ac. It was awesome, only very hot!
thank you! main market?? there are many over here and all non ac 😀
Had been to Victoria Memorial when I was like 12 years old. Awesome, na?
yeah!
Which Camera?
sony cybershot DSC w170
Nice pictures and travelogue, Reema.
thanks!!
Ha the science city sounds interesting 🙂
it is!! u should visit it!
Nice read and awesome pics!
But no food mentioned anywhere… not done! After all, you were in Kolkata… the ‘food capital’ of the world 🙂
thank you!! Actually we have so many friends and relatives there that we dont get a chance to eat outside.
🙂
pics are awesome 🙂
and good that you are njoying 😀
thank u!
hey….i love the picture of the lion and victoria memorial in the background. great shot. i have some good memories of calcutta. simply love the street chinese and rolls 🙂
thanks! I havent tried out street food in Kol yet.
I remember seeing one such science museum in Bangalore too… But whenever I ask people here, they have no clue! And yeah, too much gossip is bad for the (mental) health !
Destination Infinity
yes there are many science cities in India.
Lovely pics! That certainly brought back memories! I loved it when I first got on a tram – it was quite a while ago and a huge thing for me 🙂
Science City was something I always wanted to visit. Everybody else in my family has seen it – just my luck, I suppose 🙂 Loved the pictures!
thanks! Do visit science city once!
Really an interesting read… I have never been to Kolkatta, though….
but I really wish to visit it sometime… seems you had quite an enjoyable trip… 🙂
welcome to my blog. thanks. One should visit Kol at least once 🙂 keep visiting.
Hello Reema,
you have a great way of expression. You seem to be able to say so much with so few words.
Your choice of words is also very mature and polished. I liked you style.
Do drop sometime on my blog and let me know your views.
Omer
http://as-i-see-life.blogspot.com/
welcome to my blog. thanks!! will check out your blog soon!
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thanky that is what i needed for my vacations