THE OBEROI IN KOLKATA  JAN. 9TH

Okay, so we’re starting out at the top!! This is definitely a 5***** hotel! Fluffy robe and slippers in the room, 3 people to wait on you when you ask for ANYTHING!, amazing buffet breakfast this morning, gorgeous courtyard with lovely pool that I will try tonight! We are here for two nights. We will meet the other 4 people in our group for the Bhutan pre-trip at our first meeting in the lobby at 10:30. Our guide Savendo picked us up at the airport along with Art and Mary from Walnut Creek, CA, who had flown in on our Emirates plane from Dubai. Last night we met Larry and Debbie from Oxnard, CA, and they were at breakfast. He was a pilot out of Orange County/John Wayne airport and she was a dental hygienist who in her 30s became an airline attendant. Everyone so far is very friendly, outgoing! It’s going to be a fun trip. However, Larry did say that the Paro airport in Bhutan is one of the worst to fly into in the world!! Didn’t like hearing that! And many flights yesterday at Kolkata airport were delayed because of fog which is common this time of year. So we MAY not leave as early as planned tomorrow a.m. for Paro, depending on the fog. 

They INSISTED we pose with bride and groom! We were a bit underdressed!

With their parents

This was JUST their engagement party (300+) Wedding is on Sunday.

Fabulous breakfast buffet!

Courtyard pool

My room! Photo doesn't do it justice!

I thought I was prepared for the extreme poverty here but the hour long ride from the airport was eyeopening! This is the only place in the world where you will see rickshaws still pulled by stringy barefoot men! I told our guide I wanted to ride in one this afternoon as we have free time as these men are the poorest of the poor so I’d rather give the money to them! We were told NOT to give to beggars as they will then follow you forever. 

Today we go to see Mother Teresa’s house where she worked and where she’s buried and then a few monuments around town. Not much to see here as it’s not ancient, only 300 years old, and I think it is and was mainly a trading port. So just one day here!