Woke early again. Not quite fully on the time zone. We breakfasted down the hall as before. But we had a wonderful surprise delivered – a large bouquet of roses to celebrate Cyndi’s 70th birthday today!

After yesterday’s hectic-ness we decided to take things a bit easier. Or so we thought. We packed up our things and stowed them for a few hours as we’re changing hotels to meet up with our tour group. We dressed in easy clothes and walking shoes and headed out to the Victoria Museum and Gardens.

Thanks to Google Maps we found our way but realized we could only pay in Rupees, which we had none yet. And their site to purchase online was not functioning yet. Sigh. Time to hunt for a safe ATM. Not so easy. Back tracking a bit and hunting for a bank ATM was more of a challenge than we expected. Eventually we met with success, even with taking our life in hand to cross large busy roads multiple times. Hair raising!

Cyndi was pleased that amongst our wandering we passed St. Paul’s Cathedral. While it was closed we admired it from there outside.

We arrived at the museum and gardens but had a few delightful surprises along the way. First we noticed some tents across the street along with a number of horses near to them and out in a large field. Who knew?! Cattle we saw in the streets yesterday, but horses?

And then just before entering the grounds Cyndi turned around and saw the most amazing carriages! We have no idea what they were all about, but it was fun to stumble upon them.

We entered the museum garden, taking our time as the museum wasn’t set to open until 10. Fortunate for us as when we walked around the large pool we were rewarded with not only a stunning view of the museum but its reflection.

We continued around to the front entrance where we were met with a statue of the Queen.

We waited outside in a bit of a queue prior to opening. There were 3 women all in beautiful saris, who I complimented. They squeezed over to allow us space to sit. I asked if I could take their photo to which they readily agreed. It set off a chain reaction! Numerous poses and pictures had to be taken! Makes one feel like a celebrity of sorts. And this wasn’t the only photo op – we were asked for pictures with others throughout the museum. That hasn’t happened to me since I lived in Japan and traveled in China.

Finally we entered. It wasn’t nearly as large inside as it appears outside. We fairly quickly made our way around. Our favorite section was the paintings of numerous influential Indians who shaped current day India.

There was also this huge painting that depicts the Prince of Wales in 1876, believed to be one of the world’s largest oil paintings on a single canvas. The prince, later King Edward the VII, in Jaipur (he’s on the first elephant).

The building was impressive and huge.

We finished our tour inside and quickly made our way back to the hotel, where we had stashed our bags. After quite a kerfuffle over getting a cab or an uber, we finally had an uber heading our way. But there was confusion about where to wait and who was coming. Eventually a driver pulled up. But when he opened the trunk there was barely room for Cyndi’s tote bag! There was some sort of huge tank in the trunk! So, the bags ended up on the seats next to us.

We finally made it to the hotel where we will stay for 3 nights. They efficiently checked us in and gave us our rooms even though it was just prior to noon. What a difference! Going from a Colonial era old building to this rather large new one, which sort of exemplifies Kolkata. We settled in then headed to the hotel spa where we had made reservations in our celebration of Cyndi’s birthday. We both had deep tissue massages and facials. I feel spoiled.

To culminate the birthday we had the hotel car and driver take us to the ITC Royal Bengal hotel for dinner. Talk about a grand place! We began the evening in one of the lounges with a nice martini.

Dinner was at Avartana. And what a meal! 6 courses, with each of us getting slightly different things as Cyndi eats everything and I’m a pescatarian. We had a difficult time deciding which course was our favorite.

We thoroughly enjoyed the evening and happily met the chef to thank him for the culinary trip around India.

Delightfully our car and driver awaited our return to the hotel. Cyndi felt properly feted.