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Re: Something Mean Something Green: My Kawasaki Ninja 650
Hi All,
apologies for the delay but with numerous commitments in hand and then hard drive on my computer suddenly conking off put everything related to sharing this series of my experiences on hold. Anywhoo without further delay let us get on with the story...
Day 1 - Snooze... Snooze and then food:
The previous day's 14+ hours of non-stop ride and lack of sleep took a toll on my body. When i work up the next day, I had slept for almost 9 hours only to find myself still feeling groggy. Got up, did my morning rituals, came back to bed only to find myself going back to sleep without realising
By the time, i was awake and feeling better it was already around 3:30 - 4:00 pm so thought of giving a call to my friend who suggested of catching up in the evening as anyways it was just barely a few hours away. Since, I had slept through my lunch time i decided might as well have a nice evening snack and then later a plush dinner to give my belly a much deserved fill up!
Evening came and I finally got a chance to catch up with my friend in person and yes it was an absolute delight! My friend Somek Choudhury, who I met after almost a decade happened to be a very well known and well established food blogger in the Kolkata circuit and is a founder of a rapidly growing community of food enthusiasts in this city of dreams also known as "Kolkata Food Trotters" (Link to the group: https://www.facebook.com/KolkataFoodTrotters).
It was really great catching up with him but while having our little chats, my stomach made a loud noise indicating it was time to do something about it and Somek caught on to it... so off we went to a nearby place to get some grub. It just so happened that he had been called for a food tasting session with a restaurent close by where he was organising a food pop up session for the members of his group so I suppose I was there at the right place at the right time with a right guide... universe does works in mysterious ways!
It was back to back seafood tasting session for me while Somek ensured that only the best was served on the table with both the manager and staff being present right around the corner to tend to any feedback Somek was giving them. I felt like some sort of VIP thanks to this gentleman as besides professional life, I have never bothered to look into the nitty gritties of having food in particular manner. I suppose having a food connoisseur and a well known personality does help in scoring extra brownie points when it comes to enjoying the department of food!
Pic 1 - 4: Food blogger Somek Choudhury and his relentless pursuit to only get the best food on my platter and a barrage of Seafood tasting samples on our table.
After i was thoroughly full, we went back to my hotel to pick up my Saddlebag which as mentioned earlier needed some repair. Somek was kind enough to lead the way and found a roadside cobbler who managed to do the necessary repair for a mere sum of a tenner. I inspected the fixing done by the cobbler and only after i was sure that nothing would go wrong with the emergency stitch work, we headed back to hotel to drop it off and then explore this city bit by bit. I suppose thanks to my hotel being located at the heart of Park Street, it was a good experience taking a walk while getting hands on tips and tricks shared by a local expert in ways of exploring food and travel throughout this city. I believe after an hour of strolling this wonderful stretch, I was well versed with which places I can hop around for a quick bite and which places to avoid all thanks to Somek Choudhury
Pic 5: Roadside cobbler doing the emergency repair done on my Viaterra Claw saddlebag.
We roamed around Park street for a while till the fuel in my stomach hit the reserve and Somek insisted that we try out a place very few people know about but has some of the best items on the menu that I will surely cherish. Well when you have a food expert along with you, who am I to complain right? After walking for awhile, we reached the Russian Visa Center and entered the premises of Milee Droog Cafe & Bistro which is present in Gorky Sadan, Victoria Terrace (Google Maps location: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mi..._BIwC3oECBAQBQ ) I was told by my friend Somek that this is the only place in kolkata which serves many different Russian cuisines and other European treats. By the time we went in, I was already sold - getting an opportunity to try out Russian delights. The interiors of this Cafe & Bistro has been tastefully done and one does feel welcomed inside.
Incidentally it just so happened that me and my friend were the only two people who were there as the primary rush had apparently cleared out by 7:30 pm. To anybody who wishes to give Russian cuisine a try and if you are there in Kolkata, I would highly recommend this place! Somek knew the owner & the chef personally so yeah the special treatment kept on coming. Somek insisted that we should try out the Russian Blini which is a speciality of this place. It was quickly served at our table, one bite and I was hooked on to it! Even though Somek was insistent that I should wait for other items to arrive, I simply couldn't control myself and quickly our table was stocked up by 3 rounds of Russian blinis
Both the staff and the chef were extremely courteous and food was nothing short of 10 out of 10! Everything was fresh and tasted amazing. I suppose I enjoyed it so much that by the time dessert was served my stomach was crying... enough!!
Pic 6 - 14: Milee Droog Cafe & Bistro.. one of the highlights of my trip when it came to trying out food delicacies offered by this wonderful city.
Me and my friend caught up and it was really great hearing about the range of food varieties and options one can find in this crazy city. Kolkata has so many options for anybody who loves to try out different styles of food without having to break the bank account. This city of dreams caters to both the rich and the poor without compromising on quality, the freshness of food and taste and yes I was getting first hand experience on the same. Day 1 itself was a pleasurable experience thanks to my friend and in a way I was glad that i skipped on afternoon lunch as the amount of food that I stuffed my face with.. it just wouldn't have been possible then. We reached back to my hotel and I really thanked my friend for such a wonderful evening. Somek suggested that for the next few days of my stay we can explore this city and food of course and given this experience I knew i was in capable hands so I readily agreed. Happy to be blessed by this unexpected encounter with food and a wonderful friend, i retreated to my room and caught onto my sleep rather quickly.
Day 2 - Shim Shim, Green Elephant love, exploration, Temi tea and then some more awesomeness!:
The next day I got up late and then caught up with my friend Somek. He had already made plans to ensure that we should have a sumptuous late afternoon Tibetan meal and boy oh boy was I in for a surprise! Shim Shim, a pan asian restaurent situated at Park Circus, Ballygunge area (Google Maps location: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mi..._BIwC3oECBAQBQ) is small joint is quite famous amongst the locals and is run by a famous celebrity chef Doma Wang. This is an absolute must visit for all meat lovers as the range of options are many and price wise it is very very reasonable.
Again thanks to my food enthusiast and his known circle of people and chefs, we were treated with amazing dishes. Every item on the menu is fresh, has been cooked with love and later thanks to my friend I came to know that the owner and chef kept a tight leash on the staff to ensure that quality and consistency of the items on the menu are always to the best of what they can be.. absolutely no compromise shall be accepted! I kept on hogging and lost track of how many items were presented on our table till i literally begged Somek not to order anything anymore as if he kept on with it.. I literally was not going to be in a position to walk afterwards!
Pic 16 - 25: Shim Shim pan Asian restaurent what an absolute delight! Highly recommended for those who love to experiment with choices of meat on the platter.
A day earlier I had requested Some to find out if there are any local mechanics who can assist me with the installation of the LHS mirror which got broken off in Guwahati. He quickly made a few phone calls and found out a shop which could do it. We went to our hotel and then took out my Green Elephant along with the replacement mirror shipped by 'Xenmoto'/Sudeep Chakraborty and headed towards the location of this mechanic's shop. I don't exactly remember the location of this guys shop however, it was quite far off from Park street. My Green Elephant kept Somek super happy as he had an opportunity to experience the quick acceleration from signal to signal which was an effortless task for her.
We finally reached the shop and then started with the process of removing the broken stem and then installing the new replacement mirror. Since, we were at the shop I asked the mechanic to open up the cover and check the condition of the front drive chain sprocket. The teeths of the front sprocket were at the early stages of curling/shark tooth so a quick call went to @psr sir to confirm whether I should carry on with the journey or replace the same. It just so happened that I had carried a spare front sprocket from JT brand just for this reason. It was suggested by Sudeep Chakraborty that unlike other commuter bikes Ninja 650 likes to go through 2 front sprockets and one rear sprocket along with the drive chain all thanks to the immense amount of torque this machine is capable of delivering at an instant. It made more financial sense to replace the front sprocket instead of letting the vehicle ride on with it, till the worn out front sprocket would eventually damage the rollers on the drive chain leading to an early demise of the same. @psr sir suggested that it was pretty much safe to ride with the current sprocket and I may later decide to replace the same when the wear becomes more prominent. We then moved onto getting the bike washed as all thanks to the insane roads from Siliguri - Kolkata, she had plenty of filth on her.
Pic 17 - 22: Green Elephant's left ear finally installed. Front sprocket's condition inspected and then comes bathing time.
The local mechanic devised his own "desi jugaad" method to put Green elephant on stilts to have better access to the rear section being lifted and also do a thorough cleaning of the same. I was happy to find out that the mechanic insisted on going the cheap but reliable way of lubing the drive chain - using SAE 90W gear oil which actually holds on to the rollers more though downside is a lot more oil being splattered across the rear wheel. However, given that throughout the ride towards Southern part of India I was looking at variety of road conditions and it was going to be inevitable that my Green Elephant would be christened with dirt and filth throughout so a mere add-on by gearbox oil wouldn't make much of a difference anyways.
Regardless, after the required tasks were completed and the bill paid, Somek suggested that we should head towards the New Town area which has been recently transformed to be the business center/ expanded for IT and other tech industries. I was more than keen on experiencing the same so we went both went ahead with it. The ride was pretty good and eventually the traffic thinned out which allowed me to open the taps on my Green Elephant slightly based on request of my friend and off she went to triple digits in the blink of an eye! Somek was thoroughly enjoying the experience while i ensured that as a rider, safety was given paramount importance while letting him have the moment (yes a pillion rider helmet was organised and mandatorily worn by my friend at all times!). We then reached Eco Park located in the New Town area and began exploring... well at least I did
Coming from my previous experience of constant honking and a cramped spaces of Metropolis - Mumbai, this was a welcome change... keeping criticisms aside any major city needs open place and parks for recreational activities and I am happy to see Kolkata city getting this added onto its portfolio.
Pic 23 - 28: Eco Park and its attractions.
Well Somek had one more surprise waiting for me... the Ecopark Golf arena (Google Maps Location: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ec..._BIwJXoECBgQBQ) which is really a nice place to visit. The nearby cafe and the whole place was run by a well known travel bug adventurer and as expected he was personally known by my friend. Had a nice session of golfing lessons followed by my current obsession - Temi Tea, a 100% organic tea produced in limited quantities in the heart of Sikkim state. I had a great time interacting with the owner and his wife while Somek filled in sharing my crazy idea of my ongoing solo ride adventure to explore the southern part of India. The owner was quite pleased by current deed and suggested if and when i return he may organise a small get together of riders and travellers here where i can share my pictures or videos and collectively have a great laugh together. I thanked him profusely for his kind gesture and as always thanked the biking fraternity which always seemed to connect the dots regardless of the location, place or country you are in. We all are truly blessed by this common passion shared which doesn't understand the borders drawn on a piece of paper.. If you are traveller/motorcyclist.. you are always welcome!
The owner of the Ecopark Golf course shared plenty of stories pertaining to him being a wanderer and it was an absolute pleasure listening to his side of the story. Me and my friend sat their for quite a while till it was time for us to leave. I would highly recommend anybody who wants to have a go with golfing lessons as they do have proper trainers and the overall cost for the same is very very reasonable. The cafe is really a nice place to hang out for anybody wanting to take a break from the regular vagaries of life of this city.
Pic 29 - 32: Ecopark Golf Course and the Cafe. My first love - Temi tea followed by nice conversations with the owner and his wife.... highly recommended
Well it was time for us to grab some dinner and who was I kidding when I had a food blogger riding as a pillion. He told me to carry on towards Park street area and then we headed towards Kanakia Estates, Park Street. Somek took me to the very famous Blue Poppy Thakali Restaurant (Google Maps Location: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Th...5!4d88.3512548) This place too was run by the famous Celebrity chef Doma Wang who happened to be dining their along with her family. Once we were offered a table, the owner came to our table and chatted with us for quite a while. I was pleasantly surprised by her enthusiasm towards making everybody comfortable and her passion towards food and letting us mere folks enjoy the wonderful delicacies from her kitchen was something I had not expected. Somek filled in sharing how she single handedly established herself coming from a small place.
And yes this too is a meat lovers paradise! Every item that was presented to us was simple exquisite, every morsel that went in just melts in your mouth warranted to be washed down by a nice glass of fresh lime soda... I think this whole post is slowly becoming a food bloggers blog... but trust me I never expected my stay in Kolkata to take such a twist where I would be dining in some of the finest places this city has to offer. If any riders stay in Kolkata or intend to explore this city for a week or so, I would highly recommend getting in touch with Somek or his group "Kolkata Food Trotters" (Link to the group: https://www.facebook.com/KolkataFoodTrotters) as it will give many many options of experiencing tasty morsels besides the usual places one visits.
Pic 33 - 38: The Blue Poppy Thakali Restaurant.. simply speechless! Food and ambience was amazing.
After having such a sumptuous meal, it was time to bid adieu to Chef Doma Wang and Somek and then I headed straight towards my hotel. Once, i reached the hotel the security guard requested me if he could sit on the Green Elephant and take a selfie along with her. I had a small laugh and agreed provided that he remains extra vigilant and doesn't allow anybody else to fiddle around with her. It was time to hit the bed for one more session of exploring the next day
Day 3 - Typical Tourist, Yes Yes food and last night In Kol:
As expected this day too woke up late and slowly gathered myself out of the bed. I was feeling fresh and re-energised post the crazy suicidal ride from Siliguri - Kolkata and now was ready for the next leg of journey. Today was going to be the last day of my stay in Kolkata so I wanted to make the most out of it. Somek suggested to first have a gastro delight and then on we shall move on doing whatever I had in mind. I told him that it has been a while since, I have travelled by metro.. so he quickly devised a plan to take Kolkata tube. I was really enjoying the walk as it allowed me to slow down and soak in the beauty of this crazy city. All small localities and gullies still have the old British charm with many old bungalows still standing proudly with time. At times it makes sense for us folks to get off our noble steed and just slow down, breath in the beauty around us and live the moment instead of throttling away on the highways.
We eventually reached our food joint - Surfire (pronouced as 'Sirfirey') The Coastal Cafe, located in Lake Range, Kalighat (Google Maps location:https://www.google.com/maps/place/Su...1!4d88.3480992) . I think my friend Somek had been consipiring to stuff me with food and gain a few kilos before i left this city and yes I did tell him too!
We were again hosted by the owner of the cafe who was a kind, funny and bubbly woman. Plenty of food and laughters went around till my stomach couldn't take anymore and I politely requested both Somek and the owner not to put anything in front of me as it was simply impossible for me to eat anything beyond this.
Pic 39 - 48: Nice sleep, wonderful host and food along with laughter, this day was turning out to be amazing.
We then left the cafe an headed towards the most common but famous tourist attraction of Kolkata - Victoria Memorial, one of the remnants of the British era which still has a unique beauty to it. We headed in and it was really good to do nothing and hang out with the premises of this place. I believe, for anybody paying a visit to this city, taking a day off and simply chilling in the designated garden area while admiring the architecture of this memorial will allow one to feel great and be at peace. In a way I must admit that I felt that this charming but slow city was slowly but steadily heading towards modernising itself with many skyscrapers slowly becoming visible from the memorial.
At times I do wonder, what one loses out in the name of modernisation and progress? I have seen the same thing happening with many metropolis cities in India where slowly they lose their unique identity and get slowly transformed into a concrete jungle and malls and theatres, The sense of being in touch with reality loses its meaning and it becomes a horse race to succeed and chase after money and fame. May be we do lose something in this whole process? A mere thought but nonetheless something one may look at it at some point of time.
Pic 49 - 57: The world famous Victoria Memorial. The garden inside is a nice place to relax... the sky slowly getting gobbled up by high rise buildings in this city too.
Before I realised, evening had set in but nonetheless I had one more thing to experience in this city from my "To Do - List" - Tram Ride. Another Remnant from the British era, I was happy to find that both the city officials and Kolkattans proudly use the tram services on a daily basis. This is the only remaining tram service still in operation in India. The tickets to travel are inexpensive. Though the sitting chairs have been replaced with time, the old charm of travelling on a DC power electric motorised vehicle allows one to have a unique experience. I did find something funny - people in Kolkata are conscious about what they spend so it is not unusual for one to find a person arguing with the tram conductor on getting the exact change and that even a rupee counts.
For the rest of the rest of us this may sound stupid or even cheap... however, i suppose this is what allows this city to keep things unique and simple and in the due process enable both the rich and poor live here in harmony while keeping a tight leash on price rise and food quality. I enjoyed every moment of the tram ride till it was time for us to head to our next destination.
Pic 58 - 65: The old charm of travelling via an electric tram which has been into existence 1873. Felt happy and content that finally was able to experience it first hand.
Somek then suggested a final spot where I can experience another bout of exquisite morsels for my tummy. We reached Nabapally, Kasba and entered Naushiijaan (Google Maps Location: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Na..._BIwDXoECBIQBQ) For a plenty of us yes the idea of going for North Indian food is a typical cliche as more or less every town and city more or less has a North indian, Mughal food joint. However, considering what I had experienced so far thanks to Somek I had no doubt this too shall be something which would hit just the right spots in my pallet!
The choice of Naans and Non-Veg menu was simply endless and I couldn't make out from head to toe what to order as everything sounded mouth watering so the reign was naturally handed over to Somek and order his favourites and boy oh boy it was again a feast of the royals for me! Every morsel was amazing, and the ambience added to the gastro experience of having a unique blend of spices and meats. I savoured every morsel that went into my mouth.
Pic 66 - 69: Naushiijaan, a must visit for anybody craving for North indian and Mughal food in Kolkata.
Overall, the multiple days I stayed in Kolkata was made even better by my friend Somek and all the unique people and chefs i met there. This city has a lot more to offer for those who like to take a different road than the usual. I was charmed by this city and had every intention of staying a little while longer on my return ride. I thanked Somek for taking time out of his schedule, hosting me and of course be my guide throughout. It enabled me to experience and look at this city of dreams from a different perspective.
It was time to head back to my hotel, prep the luggage for the next day was going to be another adventure awaiting for me.
Until then...
Cheers,
Thank you for reading. I hope you understand that compiling everything from thousands of pictures I have taken throughout this journey, recollecting each and every moment while being in the right frame of mind to share this little story of mine takes time.. but alas, don't worry new "masala filled" goodies shall be shared in installments so that everybody can savour it!
Well thanks to you the "parts" landed up in kolkata but then back to back mishaps pertaining to politics, bandhs and now the pandemic, they are still resting with my friend over there. Hopefully by this year end or the next year, I shall have them in my hand. But more on that shall be discussed later...
Hi All,
apologies for the delay but with numerous commitments in hand and then hard drive on my computer suddenly conking off put everything related to sharing this series of my experiences on hold. Anywhoo without further delay let us get on with the story...
Day 1 - Snooze... Snooze and then food:
The previous day's 14+ hours of non-stop ride and lack of sleep took a toll on my body. When i work up the next day, I had slept for almost 9 hours only to find myself still feeling groggy. Got up, did my morning rituals, came back to bed only to find myself going back to sleep without realising
By the time, i was awake and feeling better it was already around 3:30 - 4:00 pm so thought of giving a call to my friend who suggested of catching up in the evening as anyways it was just barely a few hours away. Since, I had slept through my lunch time i decided might as well have a nice evening snack and then later a plush dinner to give my belly a much deserved fill up!Evening came and I finally got a chance to catch up with my friend in person and yes it was an absolute delight! My friend Somek Choudhury, who I met after almost a decade happened to be a very well known and well established food blogger in the Kolkata circuit and is a founder of a rapidly growing community of food enthusiasts in this city of dreams also known as "Kolkata Food Trotters" (Link to the group: https://www.facebook.com/KolkataFoodTrotters).
It was really great catching up with him but while having our little chats, my stomach made a loud noise indicating it was time to do something about it and Somek caught on to it... so off we went to a nearby place to get some grub. It just so happened that he had been called for a food tasting session with a restaurent close by where he was organising a food pop up session for the members of his group so I suppose I was there at the right place at the right time with a right guide... universe does works in mysterious ways!
It was back to back seafood tasting session for me while Somek ensured that only the best was served on the table with both the manager and staff being present right around the corner to tend to any feedback Somek was giving them. I felt like some sort of VIP thanks to this gentleman as besides professional life, I have never bothered to look into the nitty gritties of having food in particular manner. I suppose having a food connoisseur and a well known personality does help in scoring extra brownie points when it comes to enjoying the department of food!
Pic 1 - 4: Food blogger Somek Choudhury and his relentless pursuit to only get the best food on my platter and a barrage of Seafood tasting samples on our table.
After i was thoroughly full, we went back to my hotel to pick up my Saddlebag which as mentioned earlier needed some repair. Somek was kind enough to lead the way and found a roadside cobbler who managed to do the necessary repair for a mere sum of a tenner. I inspected the fixing done by the cobbler and only after i was sure that nothing would go wrong with the emergency stitch work, we headed back to hotel to drop it off and then explore this city bit by bit. I suppose thanks to my hotel being located at the heart of Park Street, it was a good experience taking a walk while getting hands on tips and tricks shared by a local expert in ways of exploring food and travel throughout this city. I believe after an hour of strolling this wonderful stretch, I was well versed with which places I can hop around for a quick bite and which places to avoid all thanks to Somek Choudhury
Pic 5: Roadside cobbler doing the emergency repair done on my Viaterra Claw saddlebag.
We roamed around Park street for a while till the fuel in my stomach hit the reserve and Somek insisted that we try out a place very few people know about but has some of the best items on the menu that I will surely cherish. Well when you have a food expert along with you, who am I to complain right?
After walking for awhile, we reached the Russian Visa Center and entered the premises of Milee Droog Cafe & Bistro which is present in Gorky Sadan, Victoria Terrace (Google Maps location: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mi..._BIwC3oECBAQBQ ) I was told by my friend Somek that this is the only place in kolkata which serves many different Russian cuisines and other European treats. By the time we went in, I was already sold - getting an opportunity to try out Russian delights. The interiors of this Cafe & Bistro has been tastefully done and one does feel welcomed inside. Incidentally it just so happened that me and my friend were the only two people who were there as the primary rush had apparently cleared out by 7:30 pm. To anybody who wishes to give Russian cuisine a try and if you are there in Kolkata, I would highly recommend this place! Somek knew the owner & the chef personally so yeah the special treatment kept on coming. Somek insisted that we should try out the Russian Blini which is a speciality of this place. It was quickly served at our table, one bite and I was hooked on to it! Even though Somek was insistent that I should wait for other items to arrive, I simply couldn't control myself and quickly our table was stocked up by 3 rounds of Russian blinis
Both the staff and the chef were extremely courteous and food was nothing short of 10 out of 10! Everything was fresh and tasted amazing. I suppose I enjoyed it so much that by the time dessert was served my stomach was crying... enough!!
Pic 6 - 14: Milee Droog Cafe & Bistro.. one of the highlights of my trip when it came to trying out food delicacies offered by this wonderful city.
Me and my friend caught up and it was really great hearing about the range of food varieties and options one can find in this crazy city. Kolkata has so many options for anybody who loves to try out different styles of food without having to break the bank account. This city of dreams caters to both the rich and the poor without compromising on quality, the freshness of food and taste and yes I was getting first hand experience on the same. Day 1 itself was a pleasurable experience thanks to my friend and in a way I was glad that i skipped on afternoon lunch as the amount of food that I stuffed my face with.. it just wouldn't have been possible then. We reached back to my hotel and I really thanked my friend for such a wonderful evening. Somek suggested that for the next few days of my stay we can explore this city and food of course and given this experience I knew i was in capable hands so I readily agreed. Happy to be blessed by this unexpected encounter with food and a wonderful friend, i retreated to my room and caught onto my sleep rather quickly.
Day 2 - Shim Shim, Green Elephant love, exploration, Temi tea and then some more awesomeness!:
The next day I got up late and then caught up with my friend Somek. He had already made plans to ensure that we should have a sumptuous late afternoon Tibetan meal and boy oh boy was I in for a surprise! Shim Shim, a pan asian restaurent situated at Park Circus, Ballygunge area (Google Maps location: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mi..._BIwC3oECBAQBQ) is small joint is quite famous amongst the locals and is run by a famous celebrity chef Doma Wang. This is an absolute must visit for all meat lovers as the range of options are many and price wise it is very very reasonable.
Again thanks to my food enthusiast and his known circle of people and chefs, we were treated with amazing dishes. Every item on the menu is fresh, has been cooked with love and later thanks to my friend I came to know that the owner and chef kept a tight leash on the staff to ensure that quality and consistency of the items on the menu are always to the best of what they can be.. absolutely no compromise shall be accepted! I kept on hogging and lost track of how many items were presented on our table till i literally begged Somek not to order anything anymore as if he kept on with it.. I literally was not going to be in a position to walk afterwards!
Pic 16 - 25: Shim Shim pan Asian restaurent what an absolute delight! Highly recommended for those who love to experiment with choices of meat on the platter.
A day earlier I had requested Some to find out if there are any local mechanics who can assist me with the installation of the LHS mirror which got broken off in Guwahati. He quickly made a few phone calls and found out a shop which could do it. We went to our hotel and then took out my Green Elephant along with the replacement mirror shipped by 'Xenmoto'/Sudeep Chakraborty and headed towards the location of this mechanic's shop. I don't exactly remember the location of this guys shop however, it was quite far off from Park street. My Green Elephant kept Somek super happy as he had an opportunity to experience the quick acceleration from signal to signal which was an effortless task for her.
We finally reached the shop and then started with the process of removing the broken stem and then installing the new replacement mirror. Since, we were at the shop I asked the mechanic to open up the cover and check the condition of the front drive chain sprocket. The teeths of the front sprocket were at the early stages of curling/shark tooth so a quick call went to @psr sir to confirm whether I should carry on with the journey or replace the same. It just so happened that I had carried a spare front sprocket from JT brand just for this reason. It was suggested by Sudeep Chakraborty that unlike other commuter bikes Ninja 650 likes to go through 2 front sprockets and one rear sprocket along with the drive chain all thanks to the immense amount of torque this machine is capable of delivering at an instant. It made more financial sense to replace the front sprocket instead of letting the vehicle ride on with it, till the worn out front sprocket would eventually damage the rollers on the drive chain leading to an early demise of the same. @psr sir suggested that it was pretty much safe to ride with the current sprocket and I may later decide to replace the same when the wear becomes more prominent. We then moved onto getting the bike washed as all thanks to the insane roads from Siliguri - Kolkata, she had plenty of filth on her.
Pic 17 - 22: Green Elephant's left ear finally installed. Front sprocket's condition inspected and then comes bathing time.
The local mechanic devised his own "desi jugaad" method to put Green elephant on stilts to have better access to the rear section being lifted and also do a thorough cleaning of the same. I was happy to find out that the mechanic insisted on going the cheap but reliable way of lubing the drive chain - using SAE 90W gear oil which actually holds on to the rollers more though downside is a lot more oil being splattered across the rear wheel. However, given that throughout the ride towards Southern part of India I was looking at variety of road conditions and it was going to be inevitable that my Green Elephant would be christened with dirt and filth throughout so a mere add-on by gearbox oil wouldn't make much of a difference anyways.
Regardless, after the required tasks were completed and the bill paid, Somek suggested that we should head towards the New Town area which has been recently transformed to be the business center/ expanded for IT and other tech industries. I was more than keen on experiencing the same so we went both went ahead with it. The ride was pretty good and eventually the traffic thinned out which allowed me to open the taps on my Green Elephant slightly based on request of my friend and off she went to triple digits in the blink of an eye! Somek was thoroughly enjoying the experience while i ensured that as a rider, safety was given paramount importance while letting him have the moment (yes a pillion rider helmet was organised and mandatorily worn by my friend at all times!). We then reached Eco Park located in the New Town area and began exploring... well at least I did
Coming from my previous experience of constant honking and a cramped spaces of Metropolis - Mumbai, this was a welcome change... keeping criticisms aside any major city needs open place and parks for recreational activities and I am happy to see Kolkata city getting this added onto its portfolio.
Pic 23 - 28: Eco Park and its attractions.
Well Somek had one more surprise waiting for me... the Ecopark Golf arena (Google Maps Location: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ec..._BIwJXoECBgQBQ) which is really a nice place to visit. The nearby cafe and the whole place was run by a well known travel bug adventurer and as expected he was personally known by my friend. Had a nice session of golfing lessons followed by my current obsession - Temi Tea, a 100% organic tea produced in limited quantities in the heart of Sikkim state. I had a great time interacting with the owner and his wife while Somek filled in sharing my crazy idea of my ongoing solo ride adventure to explore the southern part of India. The owner was quite pleased by current deed and suggested if and when i return he may organise a small get together of riders and travellers here where i can share my pictures or videos and collectively have a great laugh together. I thanked him profusely for his kind gesture and as always thanked the biking fraternity which always seemed to connect the dots regardless of the location, place or country you are in. We all are truly blessed by this common passion shared which doesn't understand the borders drawn on a piece of paper.. If you are traveller/motorcyclist.. you are always welcome!
The owner of the Ecopark Golf course shared plenty of stories pertaining to him being a wanderer and it was an absolute pleasure listening to his side of the story. Me and my friend sat their for quite a while till it was time for us to leave. I would highly recommend anybody who wants to have a go with golfing lessons as they do have proper trainers and the overall cost for the same is very very reasonable. The cafe is really a nice place to hang out for anybody wanting to take a break from the regular vagaries of life of this city.
Pic 29 - 32: Ecopark Golf Course and the Cafe. My first love - Temi tea followed by nice conversations with the owner and his wife.... highly recommended
Well it was time for us to grab some dinner and who was I kidding when I had a food blogger riding as a pillion. He told me to carry on towards Park street area and then we headed towards Kanakia Estates, Park Street. Somek took me to the very famous Blue Poppy Thakali Restaurant (Google Maps Location: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Th...5!4d88.3512548) This place too was run by the famous Celebrity chef Doma Wang who happened to be dining their along with her family. Once we were offered a table, the owner came to our table and chatted with us for quite a while. I was pleasantly surprised by her enthusiasm towards making everybody comfortable and her passion towards food and letting us mere folks enjoy the wonderful delicacies from her kitchen was something I had not expected. Somek filled in sharing how she single handedly established herself coming from a small place.
And yes this too is a meat lovers paradise! Every item that was presented to us was simple exquisite, every morsel that went in just melts in your mouth warranted to be washed down by a nice glass of fresh lime soda... I think this whole post is slowly becoming a food bloggers blog... but trust me I never expected my stay in Kolkata to take such a twist where I would be dining in some of the finest places this city has to offer. If any riders stay in Kolkata or intend to explore this city for a week or so, I would highly recommend getting in touch with Somek or his group "Kolkata Food Trotters" (Link to the group: https://www.facebook.com/KolkataFoodTrotters) as it will give many many options of experiencing tasty morsels besides the usual places one visits.
Pic 33 - 38: The Blue Poppy Thakali Restaurant.. simply speechless! Food and ambience was amazing.
After having such a sumptuous meal, it was time to bid adieu to Chef Doma Wang and Somek and then I headed straight towards my hotel. Once, i reached the hotel the security guard requested me if he could sit on the Green Elephant and take a selfie along with her. I had a small laugh and agreed provided that he remains extra vigilant and doesn't allow anybody else to fiddle around with her. It was time to hit the bed for one more session of exploring the next day
Day 3 - Typical Tourist, Yes Yes food and last night In Kol:
As expected this day too woke up late and slowly gathered myself out of the bed. I was feeling fresh and re-energised post the crazy suicidal ride from Siliguri - Kolkata and now was ready for the next leg of journey. Today was going to be the last day of my stay in Kolkata so I wanted to make the most out of it. Somek suggested to first have a gastro delight and then on we shall move on doing whatever I had in mind. I told him that it has been a while since, I have travelled by metro.. so he quickly devised a plan to take Kolkata tube. I was really enjoying the walk as it allowed me to slow down and soak in the beauty of this crazy city. All small localities and gullies still have the old British charm with many old bungalows still standing proudly with time. At times it makes sense for us folks to get off our noble steed and just slow down, breath in the beauty around us and live the moment instead of throttling away on the highways.
We eventually reached our food joint - Surfire (pronouced as 'Sirfirey') The Coastal Cafe, located in Lake Range, Kalighat (Google Maps location:https://www.google.com/maps/place/Su...1!4d88.3480992) . I think my friend Somek had been consipiring to stuff me with food and gain a few kilos before i left this city and yes I did tell him too!
We were again hosted by the owner of the cafe who was a kind, funny and bubbly woman. Plenty of food and laughters went around till my stomach couldn't take anymore and I politely requested both Somek and the owner not to put anything in front of me as it was simply impossible for me to eat anything beyond this.
Pic 39 - 48: Nice sleep, wonderful host and food along with laughter, this day was turning out to be amazing.
We then left the cafe an headed towards the most common but famous tourist attraction of Kolkata - Victoria Memorial, one of the remnants of the British era which still has a unique beauty to it. We headed in and it was really good to do nothing and hang out with the premises of this place. I believe, for anybody paying a visit to this city, taking a day off and simply chilling in the designated garden area while admiring the architecture of this memorial will allow one to feel great and be at peace. In a way I must admit that I felt that this charming but slow city was slowly but steadily heading towards modernising itself with many skyscrapers slowly becoming visible from the memorial.
At times I do wonder, what one loses out in the name of modernisation and progress? I have seen the same thing happening with many metropolis cities in India where slowly they lose their unique identity and get slowly transformed into a concrete jungle and malls and theatres, The sense of being in touch with reality loses its meaning and it becomes a horse race to succeed and chase after money and fame. May be we do lose something in this whole process? A mere thought but nonetheless something one may look at it at some point of time.
Pic 49 - 57: The world famous Victoria Memorial. The garden inside is a nice place to relax... the sky slowly getting gobbled up by high rise buildings in this city too.
Before I realised, evening had set in but nonetheless I had one more thing to experience in this city from my "To Do - List" - Tram Ride. Another Remnant from the British era, I was happy to find that both the city officials and Kolkattans proudly use the tram services on a daily basis. This is the only remaining tram service still in operation in India. The tickets to travel are inexpensive. Though the sitting chairs have been replaced with time, the old charm of travelling on a DC power electric motorised vehicle allows one to have a unique experience. I did find something funny - people in Kolkata are conscious about what they spend so it is not unusual for one to find a person arguing with the tram conductor on getting the exact change and that even a rupee counts.
For the rest of the rest of us this may sound stupid or even cheap... however, i suppose this is what allows this city to keep things unique and simple and in the due process enable both the rich and poor live here in harmony while keeping a tight leash on price rise and food quality. I enjoyed every moment of the tram ride till it was time for us to head to our next destination.
Pic 58 - 65: The old charm of travelling via an electric tram which has been into existence 1873. Felt happy and content that finally was able to experience it first hand.
Somek then suggested a final spot where I can experience another bout of exquisite morsels for my tummy. We reached Nabapally, Kasba and entered Naushiijaan (Google Maps Location: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Na..._BIwDXoECBIQBQ) For a plenty of us yes the idea of going for North Indian food is a typical cliche as more or less every town and city more or less has a North indian, Mughal food joint. However, considering what I had experienced so far thanks to Somek I had no doubt this too shall be something which would hit just the right spots in my pallet!
The choice of Naans and Non-Veg menu was simply endless and I couldn't make out from head to toe what to order as everything sounded mouth watering so the reign was naturally handed over to Somek and order his favourites and boy oh boy it was again a feast of the royals for me! Every morsel was amazing, and the ambience added to the gastro experience of having a unique blend of spices and meats. I savoured every morsel that went into my mouth.
Pic 66 - 69: Naushiijaan, a must visit for anybody craving for North indian and Mughal food in Kolkata.
Overall, the multiple days I stayed in Kolkata was made even better by my friend Somek and all the unique people and chefs i met there. This city has a lot more to offer for those who like to take a different road than the usual. I was charmed by this city and had every intention of staying a little while longer on my return ride. I thanked Somek for taking time out of his schedule, hosting me and of course be my guide throughout. It enabled me to experience and look at this city of dreams from a different perspective.
It was time to head back to my hotel, prep the luggage for the next day was going to be another adventure awaiting for me.
Until then...
Cheers,
Originally posted by bf1983
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This is going to be painful ! I read your first post expecting to binge read your entire trip and then I was shocked to see there was no more. Now you give me some more to read and then again its over. 
But fantastic read. Eagerly waiting for the next post.
But fantastic read. Eagerly waiting for the next post.
Originally posted by Doga
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good going mate. Roads around Kolkata are really nightmarish, one of the reasons I never planned a ride to that corner of India even though I come from there
Did you get the new parts on the bike yet?
Did you get the new parts on the bike yet?
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