🛬 Arrival in Kolkata — First Impressions? Busy, Warm, and Full of Stories

The moment I stepped into Kolkata, it felt like the city was talking to me — in sounds, smells, and stories.

Yellow ambassador taxis zooming around, people sipping chai in earthen cups (kulhads), and buildings that looked like they had secrets to tell. It was loud, yes, but it had a warmth that made me smile instantly.

🏨 Booking My Stay — Easy-Peasy with CheQin.ai

Now here’s where I saved my time and headache — I didn’t scroll through 10 websites to book a hotel.

I simply opened CheQin.ai, typed my request:

“Stay near Park Street, clean room, free breakfast, not too expensive.”

I got top 5 offers from hotels nearby — all real-time bids.
Picked a nice one with a view, soft bed, and complimentary luchi–sabzi in the morning. That’s what I call comfortable travel without the chaos.

🏛️ Places I Visited — Full of History, Heart & Hooghly

Victoria Memorial — Looks like it belongs in a royal painting. Calm and elegant.

Howrah Bridge — I stood there just watching the traffic and the river like it was a movie scene.

Photo by Suprabhat Mondal on Unsplash

Kumartuli — Where Durga idols are made. Artistic chaos. So beautiful.

College Street — Heaven for book lovers. Also had an amazing cold coffee for ₹30.

South Park Street Cemetery — Surprisingly peaceful. Full of stories if you like old-world charm.

And of course, I did a lazy evening walk at Prinsep Ghat with corn in one hand and my thoughts in the other.

🍲 Food in Kolkata — Spicy, Sweet, and So Filling

Kosha Mangsho with Luchi — Spicy mutton curry with puffed bread. Life-changing.

Macher Jhol — Light fish curry with rice. Comfort on a plate.

phuchka (pani puri) — Way spicier than what I expected, but too tasty to stop.

Rosogolla & Mishti Doi — I stopped counting after three.

Kathi Rolls — Had one at 11 pm and still smiling in my sleep.

Food in Kolkata isn’t just food. It’s an emotion. And yes, I walked a lot to make space for more.

👨‍👩‍👧 People & Culture — Loud, Helpful, and Full of Passion

Kolkata people are straight-talking but very helpful. I asked one guy for directions and he gave me a full 10-minute lecture about which tram is better than which metro.

From the newspaper-reading uncles at tea stalls to the kids flying kites on rooftops — everyone adds to the charm of the city.

📌 Tips for First-Time Kolkata Visitors:

1]Use CheQin.ai for hotel bookings — no confusion, only real-time choices

2]Carry cash for small shops and street food

3]Explore on foot — that’s where you’ll find the real magic

4]Don’t skip street food — especially phuchka and rolls

5]Try to learn 1 or 2 Bengali words — they’ll love it

💬 Final Thoughts — Kolkata Was More Than A Trip

This city didn’t just give me photos — it gave me memories I didn’t know I needed.
It’s crowded but calm. Old but alive. Messy but meaningful. Kolkata has its own slow rhythm — and once you catch it, you’ll want to stay longer.

And the best part? I didn’t have to worry about where to stay — CheQin.ai had me covered at every stop.

So if you’re ever looking for a city that feeds your stomach, heart, and camera roll — Kolkata won’t disappoint.

A traveler’s experience through iconic sights, Bengali flavours, and budget-friendly hotels found easily on CheQin.ai