Jaipur To Kolkata

Our tour director, Vashil, had briefed us the day before at lunch on all the things we needed to do to make it through security with ease. A lot of it was the same as in the States but a little more detailed. Anything with wires like chargers, etc., should be put in a plastic bag (I would see later there were bags even supplied at the security checkpoint.) and anything electronic like computers, iPads, etc., should be set out in the baskets. While there was a 15 lb weight limit on carry-ons, they didn’t include the weight of the computer. Nice. Also, as at home, liquids, gels, and the like should be separate in a plastic bag and in the tray. The less they needed to check your carried items, the easier and faster through the security checkpoint.

All of that readied, our large luggage packed and at the door at 4 am, we grabbed our backpacks and headed for the coffee and light breakfast the hotel provided. There was opportunity to take it in a box to eat on the plane if you desired. A banana, a muffin and a cup of coffee was the mainstay and it was enough for so early in the morning. I had brought a couple of granola bars with us from home just in case we ran into some longer times between meals.

The drive to the airport took about thirty-five minutes. There was very little traffic at that hour but there were still a few horns. As we passed through the city, we noticed the decorative lights that were displayed in anticipation of Diwali, the Festival of Lights.

At the airport, we said goodbye to Honey and Yogi and the young man who was always ready with water and a snack now and then. Bob gave them each a tip and a big thank you.

We rolled our luggage in to the check in counter and presented the voucher that Vishal had given us at the hotel. (The vouchers were also needed to get into the airport to verify that you were a passenger.) Once we had our boarding pass for the Indigo Airline flight, we proceeded to security.

As it was at the Taj Mahal, there were two lines, one for gents and one for ladies. This time thankfully it was much better organized. We grabbed trays and I took out all the prepared items for them and went to the line for the scanner and frisk. The line was getting quite long and a security guard came over and ushered a group of us, mostly from Uniworld, to a second line to have our things go through the scanner. Once we unloaded, we were back in line for the frisk. There were two booths with curtains. You went in one, stood up on a little riser while a female attendant ran a wand over you and then you went out the other side and collected your things. I was surprised and thankful that my knee replacement didn’t set it off.

The scanner seemed to be happy with all of mine that had passed through. I met up with Bob and we walked to the area where our gate was. We still had some time and we bought water and used the restroom and then sat down. Vishal appeared and called out Bob’s name. It seemed that they had scanned something in one of our suitcases that looked suspicious. He needed to go down and explain.

As soon as he left, my heart dropped. I was sure I knew what it was and he would make a big deal of it. I had left my camera in the bottom of the suitcase. I couldn’t use it because I couldn’t get the pictures from it to download to my computer. I was sure it had a lithium battery. I nervously awaited his return. I was off the hook. He had in his suitcase a nightlight we always travel with. It’s motion activated and just enough light for those times when there is no other nightlight for the bathroom. It had wires in it. Lesson learned. My camera, Bob said, had a nickel battery so no problem.

Our flight loaded after a bus ride from the gate to the plane. The flight couldn’t have been nicer. It was two hours and the Indigo Airline plane was very comfortable and clean. Baggage arrived with us and after one more restroom stop, we went out to our buses which were a bit smaller than what we’d had before and did not have a restroom. We divided into three groups, each having their own guide and began our hour ride through the crowded streets of Kolkata.

Kolkata too was preparing for Diwali. There were huge frames of bamboo being erected as well as large bamboo archways, all to be decorated during the week to come. Water and a bag of chips were passed out and appreciated. I dug out our granola bars as well and we munched on those as we watched the scenery of the city pass by.

We passed by the “Big Ben” of the east and a large area our new guide, Sachi, said was a migrant area. Kolkata’s population had swelled with migrants in the last few years. They were makeshift shelters that lined the street and went around the block. Behind and above them rose modern apartment buildings.

Everywhere in India we have seen laundry drying mostly on whatever it could be draped over. We passed bridge railings and even median barriers in the street with colorful laundry drying.

The river appeared and we crossed over on a bridge. The “cruise port” was down a narrow drive but eventually we made it and were welcomed aboard the Ganges Voyager II. As soon as all were aboard, we began our cruise up the river.

The cruising afternoon was peaceful and restful interrupted only by lunch and a safety briefing. We were looking forward to a good night’s rest. It had been a long day and a special adventure awaited us in the morning.