S1 E22 | Kolkata Chaos: Hotel Scams, Visa Woes and City Adventures

After leaving the Andamans, we took an AirIndia flight for INR 5,500 from Port Blair to Kolkata with plans to explore the city and then head to Bangladesh. But our arrival in Kolkata turned into quite an adventure—full of unexpected hurdles, city chaos, and some hard lessons on travel planning!

We always look for affordable yet comfortable accommodation. After checking reviews and booking through Agoda, we found a room at a reasonable ₹528 per night with Wi-Fi included. Sounds perfect, right? Not quite.

Upon arrival, the receptionist demanded an extra ₹500 despite the booking being confirmed. The manager and property owner insisted it was the hotel’s policy, leading to an unpleasant confrontation. Agoda was contacted, and thankfully, we got a refund along with compensation for the inconvenience.

We finally found a tiny, neat room at Esplanade in a historic British-era building. Though small, it had all the necessary amenities and a window—so we settled in.

Our original plan was to spend a week or two in Kolkata before heading to Bangladesh for 20 days. However, at the Bangladesh Visa Application Center, we were informed that visa processing would take 25 days, far longer than the online estimate of 7–10 days.

This delay would have left us with only 5–7 days in Bangladesh, making the trip unfeasible. So, we had to abandon the Bangladesh plan and think of alternative destinations for the next leg of our journey.

Despite these setbacks, Kolkata is a city with its own charm. The streets are chaotic and crowded, far more intense than Bangalore’s busy areas. But the old British-era architecture, vibrant culture, and unforgettable pan stains give the city a unique character. It reminded us a lot of our time in Yangon—similar colonial-era structures and cultural vibes.

We’ll soon reveal our next destination, which wasn’t on our initial travel list but promises to make up for the Bangladesh detour. Stay tuned!