Day 3 - Darjeeling, another gate to Himalaya

Darjeeling (Pron: dɑ:ˈʤi:lɪŋ) is a town in the Indian state of West Bengal. A popular tourist destination, it is located in the Mahabharat Range or Lesser Himalaya at an average elevation of 6,710 ft (2,045.2 m). It is noted for its tea industry and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Darjeeling is the headquarters of Darjeeling district which has a partially autonomous status within the state of West Bengal. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darjeeling
Refer to some story that i've gotten from blogwalking, mail list and some travel web i put Darjeeling as one of my destination someday when i have an opportunity to step my feet in India. Indeed i did it, eventhough there's a lil bit wavering at the beginning since i became so selfish to cover all of my destination within the only two weeks of my visit.

Maybe like Malang, Dieng and Puncak in Java, Indonesia; Darjeeling just like a mountain view accompanied with greenness, fresh air and a best place for resting and relaxing. A huge tea estate in mountainsides, similar to Lembang then; Yups, its similar. But you can't have what i have when i get there. Overnite train from the big city continue with three hours shared jeep under the foggy weather, meeting new people from some part of India and some people around the world, keep surprising with anything new and unusual and of course challenge yourself in many aspects. But at the top of them, temptation to enjoy sunrise with Himalayan as the background will defeat all of my argument easily.

So it was so early in the morning when we woke up and went out from the hotel and just noticed that our jeep or whatever in which has booked last night seems to be out of nowhere. We tried to check with the owner but he seems to be asleep and when the hotel staff came out, he lil bit confuse and can't help. After same arguing session, finally we have to satisfy with having personal rent car for the three of us. Additional charges applied by INR 200, we had paid INR 500 to the owner before; so its damn like implicitly being cheated for our 3rd day in India.

Our car headed to the sunrise spot that well known as the popular spot for witnessing sunrise and Himalayan at the same time. The driver was a lil bit quite, he rarely talk to us instead of simply inform us where we are heading, how's the weather and best time to visit Darjeeling. Some 90's song were playing and with a-half sleepy head we try to recite some phrase of the song.

"I want to stand with you on a mountain..." - Truly,Madly, Deeply - Savage Garden

Actually it was rain. Light rain in the morning, or maybe the same rain as yesterday that being postponed for some reason. But yeah, unfortunately i have to realised that it was a bad weather. I'm not sure that we can enjoy sunrise today. Even so, most of the road are covered by fog. What i'm afraid of was actually happening, the main spot has fully covered by the fog. Nothing can be seen instead of white.

"The weather is bad. Yesterday, the sun has been raise nicely at this place." our driver start to talk. 

Yeah, its been our disappointment at that time, however as i always talked to myself, enlightning the burden, "there's always a reason to comeback." We did it on summer actually. However, Darjeeling weather boost into extremely unpredictable. We're nearly freeze when we're here but outside we got 47 degree like a hell.

Foggy Morning towards sunrise which never show up ;p 

Foggy Morning 

Next, we headed to the Ghoom Monastery; Ghoom Gompa, is about 8 kms from Darjeeling. Here a very beautiful statue of the Maitrayie Buddha ( prospective Buddha) is established. The Monastery has also preserved some of the rare handwritten Buddhist manuscripts.
http://www.trekking-in-nepal.com/sikkim_darjeeling/darjeeling_places_of_interest.htmAnd our last destination this morning was Batasia Loop or Batasia Eco Garden. An open area and a railway loop is an interesting example of engineering. At this loop the toy train takes a very unique turn. This loop is just five kilometer from the main town of Darjeeling. This place also has a very good market where you can buy the purses, bags and other decorative items made by the local women at very reasonable price.
http://www.trekking-in-nepal.com/sikkim_darjeeling/darjeeling_places_of_interest.htm

Street Market at Ghoom Monastery

Inside Ghoom Monastery - Darjeeling

Ki-ka : Jard, Alid and Me

Monks - They've been in Borobudur loh ^^

Me at Ghoom Monastery

Toy train railway at Batasia Loop

Batasia Loop or Batasia Eco Garden

There's several things that caught my interest, First, two of three monks that i met in Ghoom Monastery has visited Borobudur - Indonesia, Second, we can try to dress like Nepali by rent some clothes with only INR 30 per person. Yups, and it last; no time limit and also the owner was very kind to assist us taking a picture. And the last one, same as my experience in Japan, i found snack in which the appearance was look like Bakwan (Jakarta) or Ote-Ote (Surabaya). How its the taste? it was sweat for Japan, but in India, maybe its easy to guess, yups.. most taste like curry heheheh...

Dress Like Nepali 

Dress Like Nepali - Me :) 

Morning trip with rent car finished at around 7 or 8 AM. I lil bit forget about it, since we directly have a morning walk to enjoy this town. Most of our scenery this morning filling with students. Yups, student, and they all dressed in very cute, colorful and cool uniform. Even, i have a slight tought in mind that this is not India. Yeah, as intersection of India, Nepal, Tibet and Butan, most of the density in Darjeeling were not look like the common Indian people. Some of them still have a long nose, long hair, dark skin and big eyes, but most of them are looks like Japanese, Chinese and Korean. 

In terms of economic, i just think that their economic condition was quite good. I never met with beggar or anything that refer to the poverty. Most of them wore something fashionable, even i have seen HardCore concert for free in town on my first day. It just proved that there's no barriers for them to living a live with any update from the outside and being part of it. Many vehicles and personal cars running in the street and going to school become the most huge activity in the morning.

Darjeeling view from Batasia Eco Garden

snacking around Darjeeling

Morning activities, Go to school - Darjeeling

Playing around - Darjeeling 

It was a very short trip, and sure gonna visit this place again someday. For the mighty Kanchenjunga, king of the mountains, sunrise and of course Darjeeling tea. We're leavin hotel around 12PM and went back to New Jaipalguri (NJP) with 3 hours shared jeep since we have to catch the train at 5 PM for Mughal Sarai, the next gate towards the holy Ganges in Varanasi. 

Info:

a) Hospitality - Sevenseas Hotel : INR 1500/night for 3 people (1 king bed + 1 single bed); no online booking, just came by since we have dropped email but no response. 
b) Shared Jeep NJP-Darjeeling or Darjeeling-NJP : INR 200/per person - one way 
c) Rent Car : INR 700 per car, you can have INR 500 for 3 people but you have to share the remaining seat with others. 
d) Nepali Dress - Rent : INR 30/person 

Entrance fee:

- Batasia Loop : INR 5/person 
- Ghoom and Tiger Hill : Free

Day 2 - New Jaipalguri, A gate to the famous Tea Estate in Hindustan, Darjeeling

5 May 2013 

We run the night at Darjeeling Mail Express. How to book? How It run and any other How that you might have will be explained later on my separate notes in here The Hindustan Train_Logy. But for now, i just want to share my first experience on 10 Hours hoping around Hindustan Train_logy, Darjeeling Mail, Kolkata - New Jaipalguri.

This train run on 22.05 from Syealdah Railway Station Kolkata and arrived in New Jaipalguri at 8 AM at the next day. I took sleeper class (the cheapest sleeper class) when i booked this ticket around a month a go, but unfortunately i got "Waitinglist status". Upon my departure i checked to the counter information and lucky me, my status has been upgraded into RAC. 

Morning Arrival, New Jaipalguri Station

There's 4 condition that might happened when you want to book train ticket in India, Confirmed, RAC, Waiting List or no longer available. For the details, see The Hindustan Train_Logy. 

And since my ticket was RAC, i have to transform my bed into seating class and share with the other passenger. Maybe it was one of the bad experience for other traveler, but since we don't have sleeper class in Indonesia, this kind of thing can't bother my mood to explore more about India. FYI, The batams ticket status also RAC and thanks God they taking care of me till my departure for two reasons, they have to ensure that we have the same rights to board the train and the second to ensure that i'll be safe during my first time experiencing overnight train in India. 

During the journey, i just sitting next to the window and have a short chit chat with some locals. Same as most of my friend, they were asked why i came to India as solo traveler? a woman? alone? But other than that, they are very nice people. Gita, a young woman who sit in front of me has offered me her seat to straighten my legs when i'm tired. Even, she allowed me to have a short sleep in her berth in the next morning. The other one is Anupham, i forgot his full name but he is a master student majoring calculus and statistic. He offered me his seat and offering help by keep asking the ticketing officer whether any bed available for me to sleep instead of having RAC. Yups, being gentle sometimes was really helpful. And i appreciate such a help and kindness as blessing from God. 

In economy sleeper class, train has been facilitated with fan and it was really comforting during this summer. Even, you will not be concerned anymore about air con or fan since the wind was blowing so harshly at night and flew inside the train when we open the window. Sometimes i'm freezing under my thin blanket made of Bali cloth and scarf.  And be sure you bring something to keep you warm since its gonna be a long long journey. 

The train stopped at New Jaiplaguri station in the next day. Its not yet the gate of Darjeeling already. From the station, we have to take share jeep for 3 hours towards the city. Each Jeep can accommodate up to 10 persons excluding the driver. So, you can imagine how full is it ;p 

Inside - Share Jeep 

On the way Darjeeling

After approximately two hours, the driver stop by and take us for take a rest and have a snack in a small restaurant. It was the only restaurant that we can found in this area. A small house with several menu such as momo, prata, maggie and chai. This house operate by small family who's talking in different language other than english and hindi, i found out it was bengali language later. Yups, Indian has so many local language. This place was the first place for me to taste the original milk tea from India, Chai. Its warm, but my mouth still thought that its weird and ignoring the milk taste as usual. 

After around 30 minutes rest, we continue our journey towards the city accompanied with the hard foggy accross the street. No matter with the whether and the road condition, our driver has driving like a pro and we arrived safely at the Mall area, Darjeeling one hour later. 

We have waited The Batams at the New Jaipalguri station before, just in case we have fate to meet again. And now at the Mall, we did the same thing and unfortunately the results are the same. We have informed them that we stayed at Sevenseas hotel, hoping that they will come to find us. But again, it was nil. 

Sevenseas hotel was the cheapest hostel/homestay that accomodate the 3 of us in one room with affordable price. We have tried to book this hostel online, but no online reservation available. My friend has try to contact via email but no response. I put "average" for the room and facility provided at this hostel. But "Poor" for the services. Other than reservation matters, the owner has mistakenly taken care our car booking for our next journey in Darjeeling. I'm gonna tell you later on this. 

Snacking  - On my way to Darjeeling

 

Hotel Sevenseas - Darjeeling

View from our room at Sevenseas - Darjeeling

Minimum Facility at Darjeeling hotel - Sevenseas 

We spent pour first day by have a sightseeing around the city. Foggy and light rainy never stop  our spirit to explore. First, we took a short walk and headed towards Big Mall and found out that there's political election held in the city that causing most of the store closed. Almost all of them. And yes, we start worrying about how to feed ourselves tonight. Post office, food tenant, money changer and groceries, all of them are closed. 

When we stop at the Big Bazar, there's a huge wall painted with a huge letter "Welcome to GorkhaLand." I dont know the meaning, but here the results from wikipedia. 

Gorkhaland (Nepali: गोर्खाल्याण्ड) is a proposed state in India demanded by the majority people of Darjeeling hills and the people of Gorkha ethnic origin in Dooars in northern West Bengal.[1] The movement for Gorkhaland has gained momentum in the line of ethno-linguistic-cultural sentiment of the people who desire to identify themselves as Gorkha.[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorkhaland

Welcome to Gorkha Land

Foggy and Rainy Day at Observatory Hills - Darjeeling

Afterall, we stop by at the observatory hill, Hoping that we can see the city and the hills view from the top. But due to the rain and foggy weather, we trapped and hide our self in a small temple. Some local came and pray around the temple, even some brahmin came by and try to explain some religius thing and speak a shirt pooja (pray), but we ignore. Looks cruel, but you have to do that because its gonna end up with paying some money. 

We go down back to the city when the rain stop. Lucky us, we found one small food tenant that still open even-though the offering menu was very limited. We ordered maggie for our dinner, and without knowing the reason our order came out around one hour later. Yups, one hour for maggie (Indomie, in Indonesia). The taste of maggie are totally horrible for me. It was mixed with onion and spicy things and smell totally Indian food. I know what you were thinking right now!!! Yups, i'm a picky person on food. I'm trying not to be like that, trust me i did. But, still its difficult. So, i end up with chewing chocolate, have a mango juice and take a rest. We have to woke up early tomorrow ^^   

IncREDibles Outting, Bali 8-10 June 2013

Bali 8-10 June 2013 


Outing. It was like a small package from the Company to support work life balance initiative. And here i go, 4th times visiting Bali during my 4th year at "You-Know-Where." Yups, i get bored already with Bali, its not that i dont like it, but somehow  wish that we will going to the place that i've never been. Yeah, i wish. However, i enjoy the trip and here the itinerary. 

Day 1 - 8 June 2013

06.15 Flight from Jakarta to Bali
09.30 Arrived at Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali 
09.30 - 13.00 OTW Airport - Tulamben 

13.00 - 16.00 Dive at Tulamben 

16.00 - 16.30 shower and clean up (incl. stop by for shalat) 
16.30 - 20.00 OTW from Tulamben to Nusa Dua (Melia Hotel)  

During 3 days in Bali, participant has to join the whole program at the second day only that means we have free time during first and last day. 

And yups, i spent my first day just for diving and so on, that's already made me exhausted the whole day. For underwater photo gonna be updated once received from Poncy. In addition, i went out early morning (oo.30 AM) to have 2nd dinner at Nasi Pedes Bu Andika. It was nasi rames with spicy taste located in Kuta Area - in front of Joger and open 24 hours. You have to try this once you visit Bali. 

Tulamben Beach - Bali

After Dive ^^

Day 2 - Amazing race (Team Building) and Gala Dinner at Kelapa Pecatu Resorts 

Our company has booked Melia Hotel Nusa Dua for all participants. It was one of five star hotel which i can afford personally. Especially when i travel alone. I ought to spent money on other things rather than a place to sleep. 

However, it was a nice hotel. Since it was an old building, the design are so oldish but still looks magnificent since it well managed. It has a direct view to the beach and loveable view to just relaxing on seaside in the morning or just for evening walk. I did it in the morning after having breakfast before leavin' for the amazing race. 

At this team building program, we had divided into small group and has to complete all the task at the different places spread among Nusa Dua and GBK by riding a car. I'm not the winner, or may i make correction, my team is not the winner. But we enjoy the game actually. I love the task when we came to the elementary school to challenge them on Badminton, Singing and learn on how to practice Bali Dance with the girls. 

Beach side - Melia Hotel, Nusa Dua

My team - Yellow B

Team Building

The games finished around 3 PM and we get back to hotel for a short rest prior departure to Kelapa Pecatu Resorts. Yups, another high cost place for dinner that i cant afford during travel. But since it was for free, lets enjoy. 

Surprisingly, the venue was incredible as the price. it was worth for money. The sun are gloomy when we arrived there. A huge blue pool and the beach looks well integrated. it was obvious without no more asking why most of the visitor being busy with their camera. The view was awesome man!!!! 

Pre Gala Dinner, Kelapa Resort

Dinner time ^^

PwC Photobooth - rameee 

Pose rame - rame 

Day 3 : Eat, Eat and go Home 

I went to bed so late after headed to Krisna and ate Nasi Pedes again last night (midnite actually), so we decided to enjoy our last day by having late wake up and stick to the plan for just have a culinary and shopping for today. 

We rent a car that suit 8 people and all of us have agreed to make our first step to the one of famous culinary taste in Sanur, Bali. Looking back to my last visit in Bali six months a go, finally i make accomplishment and feel so relieved to be here #lebay. 

Sop Ikan Makbeng for me taste like refreshing light fish soup, with the fried Tengiri and Sambal i have abandon my plan to share my rice instead of have one portion for my own... hahahahha, not intend to be greedy, but my friend has 5 portion of rice for the two of them. Oh my god!!! 

Located at the Matahari Terbit area, Sanur, Mak Beng should be one of your culinary that you must try.  Even it can be reach using Trans Sarbagita (Busway Bali) by take a stop at Matahari Terbit shelter and walks towards Sanur Paradise Hotel and Sanur Beach (Sunrise spot). One portion of Fish Soup complete with rice and Fried Tengiri cost IDR 35K you can have additional compliment such as fish egg with extra charges. 

Finally Mak Beng - Sop Ikan, Sanur 

Before leavin Bali, we still have our second lunch, FlapJacks, A cute Pancake and ice cream that only available in Bali. I share my order with friend this time for sure. Makbeng still swimming in my stomach but abandoning this sweet crunchy thing will be my guilty pleasure hahahhaha... 

FlapJaks - Bali Galeria Mall

Hunting Oleh3 - Krisna

The Hindustan Train_logy

Most of you has been lived within the prolong story, books and movies. Lets say The Lord of the Ring trilogy, Famous story tales written by JRR Tolkien that yeah... got me to know one of the hilarious trilogy ever and introduce me to the fabulous character of Aragorn. But this note is not about something that long, because other than such a "Logy" thing we also have "Logy" as part of the knowledge such as Biology, Dhermatology etc. And so on, lets talk about this kind of thing within the term of railway system in India, or simply i want to share a bit about it along the wrapping notes called the Hindustan Trainlogy. 

As we know, India is one of the world's largest railway networks comprising 115,000 km (71,000 mi) of track over a route of 65,000 km (40,000 mi) and 7,500 stations. As of December 2012, it transported over 25 million passengers daily (over 9 billion on an annual basis). www.wikipedia.com

And as a huge railway station at the huge population country, India has established a good infrastructure and ticketing system that are user friendly for both local and tourist. The system has consider passenger preference and of course its various from budget traveler up to high level train class.
How do we start?

For foreigners, we can buy the ticket online within the range as the same with locals through specific website such as IRCTC. For guidance how to have the IRCTC account, how to book and etc, seat 61.com has wrote clearly at this link 

After you got your account, do booking process as normal by select your preferred date and destination. Recheck your booking prior the payment to avoid any mistake. And of course, be familiar with your destination. Dont laugh for this, because India has so many route and even sometimes, one city has several station with similar names. For example, you will meet Agra Fort and Agra Cant in Agra, Old Delhi, Delhi and New Delhi when you visit Delhi. Mistaken on these gonna lead you miles away from your destination. 

Once your booking is completed, you'll got your ticket with certain unique numbers called PNR. These series of number has to be used to monitor validity and status of your ticket. PNR and name of passenger will be appeared at the chart prior to departure schedule. 

Inside Syealdah Railway Station, Kolkata

Chart ^^, i got mine

Hunting our name ^^ 

Syealdah Railway Station, Kolkata

And the other important thing when you have completed your booking is to understand the status of your ticket booking. Its not like in another country, in India, they has several ticket status as below: 

• Waitlisted
  PNR having fully waitlisted status will be dropped and names of the passengers will not appear in the chart. They are not allowed to board the train. If waitlisted passengers found travelling, they will treated as without ticket and charged as per extent railway. 
• RAC
  It means that you have the right to board the train, but certain terms applied differently compared to your initial booking. For example in my case, i booked economy sleeper train whereas one bed for one person. With RAC status, i have to shared my bed with others, hence such a bed transformed into sitting seat for 2 persons. 
• Fully Booked
  It means that no train available. Lets think another option then. 
• Confirmed
  This status absolutely OK. You already got your seat including the coach number, seat, and bed position (Upper, Under and Middle) for sleeper class. No need to worry at all. 

For train ticket status other than confirmed, ensure you have double check your latest status prior to departure since its often to be updated up to departure schedule. I have experienced to get confirmed ticket after being RAC and waiting list for one month. Such a condition happened since ticket booking open up to 3 months prior departure. So, save your seat by making an advance booking. 

How's inside the train? 

Most of you maybe have read from some books, blog or travel note about Indian Railways. But i will tell you my point of view. Again, on my point of view. 

A long with the rumors of the dirty, untidy and smelly place - yeah that's most people described this country, i dont think the same way. Why? After experiencing Railways system in my country, i just try to make an apple to apple comparison. Economy to economy, for example. 

Indonesian railways has no sleeper class. So, when i took the sleeper economy class i try to compare it with business class and surprisingly, Indian was much better. in India, the seat in economy class was comfortable and affordable. At least it has a thin bunk bed while business class in Indonesia was a plastic chair. Toilet economy class in Indian are the same quality as business class in Indonesia. 

I cant share about other class because i have no experience on it, but for AC tier 3 class, you can visit Tika's note.  For more details and pictures on Indian railways, you also can see seat61.com 

What i love about Indian Railways? 

1. Cheap, I spent less than INR 500 for each overnight journey
2. There's opportunity to interact and makin friends with local, some notes said it was annoying to see most of the local staring at you as the only foreigners at that place, but please ignore because its gone once you started to make a conversation. People that i met mainly are nice people. 
3. Act as local as you can. What's your travel meant when you avoid to experience such a thing. 
4. Sharing and get information about everything just make our next trip easier. Some people that i met was really helpful, even they woke me up when i fall asleep just a moment before my arrival station. 

And of course, i want to come back and treasure another lane of the Hindustan Trainlogy ^^

Day 1 - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, My first step towards Hindustan

4 May 2013 

Most of the people that i met always had the same question, the same thought, similar view but sure some of them still have the different opinion. And for me, that's so human. What i got to do? Just listen.. absorb the good things and try to be positive thinking. They care about me. That's it!!! 

Maybe its not about visiting the most holy place for moslem as  we dreaming of, the huge metropolis city such a Newyork or amazing underwater place such a Raja Ampat but among that it was one of the must be visit place in my life. Especially, while i'm still have an energy to explore the Lord's creatures. 

Its a place where the second largest community lived in, where the needs spread across the country, when touts sounds so terrifying among traveler, but so on its where the symbol of love that stood up arrogantly as one of the worlds seven wonders. Not only that, it was a place when two religion finally lived in together and built their own history. But for me, its place to challenge myself, 

"Have i being thankful for everything that i had?"

First, i knew this country from some of movies shown on local television. A very long screen shot full with music, song and performance. Later, its known best with police, criminal and love story. But today, i remember it as the one best creator of the thoughtful message on their movies. 

"Life have to be useful for others, just like tomorrow never comes. "
"Live to give as much as you can"

Maybe you'll know from which movie i took those quotes. But i didnt come to this country because of this movie. You know, just like love.. you dont need a reason to love. 

And with Allah's blessing a took my first step to the gate of this incredible site of Asia, 4 May 2013, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport, Kolkata, greeting my footstep entering Hindustan. Namashkar!!! 

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport, Kolkata 

They said i'm solo, that's why they were worried a lot about me. A woman, single and India. Sounds like a wrong combination of holiday. Some newspaper wrote about rapped and sexual harassment, most people talked about the worst thing that might happen. Not ignoring all of the warning, i just try to believe best in people. 

We born alone. Die alone. So should we live alone? 

They said i'm solo, but you'll see that every single time i never alone. That's what travel should meant to be. Meet and learnt from others. Share and receive. And with all of these spirit i started my journey in Kolkata, one of the busiest city in Hindustan. 

My flight arrived around 5 PM in the evening. After got my Visa in Jakarta, i plan to chase the time keeper and grab the chance to explore a bit of the city, at least the famous Victoria Memorial Park. But you know, travel is not only about plan but how you turn out everything that seems impossible around you and make a small miracle. 

I plan to travel with one Indonesian guy and one Malaysian ladies that i never met before, but God grant me another companion. Three Indonesian guys from Batam and Pekanbaru. And the three of them applied Visa on Arrival that made me have to wait for them. It seems that i wasted my time right? What i'm avoid for, lead me to the place where i have to be stuck in the waiting room. 

But sure, its not about that. I do believe everything happen for a reason. That there's no such a coincidence in life. These wonderful five companion has coloring my day and just like a magic, it turned my solo travel became cheerful and memorable. 

And here they are... 

1st, Alid Abdul, blogger and budget traveler from Jombang. He has traveled a lot around Asia, talk active, Indian addict and energic. If you want to know more about him, visit www.alidabdul.com.

Second, Jardness. Aka Zarah Naumul. Famous Blogger from Malaysia. Eat, live and travel a lot. Visit her page at http://ignorantbrat.blogspot.com/. 

Third, Adi Wijaya. Travelholic from Pekanbaru. We hop on and off around Kolkata and Agra. Got him on @addywidjaja. 

Last, a crazy buddies from Batam; Yayan and Mukhlis. No plan, just gone with the wind hahahaha... just like leavin on the train Bro..thanks for sent me away from my first train ride in      India. 

MyCrazy Companion in Hindustan

First part, quarelling over prepaid taxi outside the airport. Yups, prepaid taxi consider as cheapest way to reach the city. But hold on, the first step is to find the correct place to got the ticket. There's taxi booth outside the airport, but prepaid taxi counter was located inside just close to the arrival hall. What you need to do is just tell them your destination, but please ensure you spell it correctly and they print the same thing at the ticket. Because what we had, we have to pay more than it should be. 

We divided our group into two colonies, first, me, Alid, Jard and Addy will go towards Victoria Memorial Park and drop Adi at his hostel on our way heading to Syealdah. Adi gonna stay in Kolkata tonight and heading to New Delhi by train tomorrow. Me, Alid and Jard gonna catch Darjeeling Mail Train from Kolkata to New Jaipalguri towards Darjeeling tonight. While the Batams, even tough they have the same destination as mine, they decided to headed directly to Syealdah Railway Station. They have to ensure that their train ticket running tonite. 

Prepaid taxi charged for INR 110 from airport to Syealdah and INR 310 from Airport to Victoria. It lil bit too much since we have to pay INR 150 from Victoria to Syealdah. See, it should be only INR 270. Unfortunately, Victoria has been closed upon our arrival and we decided to directly towards Syealdah after have a short photo session. 

Just Landed - Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Kolkata

Inside the airport 

International Arrival 

Only for Queuing, voucher bought inside the airport 

A Yellow Cab around Kolkata traffic at nite 

Me at the entrance of Victoria Memorial Park, Kolkata

Syealdah Railway Station 

Hunting our names, at Syealdah 

Inside the railway station 

After a long chit chat and hunting session, we noted that The Batams name is not included in the list. They have to argue with the ticketing officer until found out that they have booked another train towards Darjeeling. Yups, the fifth of us are heading to Darjeeling but only the two of them has different train. Another train departed on one hour after ours. 

So, till we meet again Bro!!!