Calicut?

CALICUT..???
Well, we got the train after a little panic when the taxi was late. Fortunately the Junction station was a bit nearer than the main one, so it didn't take as long through the morning rush hour traffic. The station was busy, but the announcements were good - when you could hear them. Every tiime a train came in it disgorged so many people that the noise was horrendous and the announcements disappeared. However, the 'porter' who carried our two heavy cases on his head, including over a footbridge very like the one at Crewe, obviously knew what he was doing as he deposited them, and us, at exactly the spot where our compartment would come in. We had recliner seats for the four hour or so journey, and they were very comfortable. At regular intervals sellers of tea, coffee (very hot) various Indian dishes, crisps, chocolate, bananas came through the train. A huge treat was hot coffee and Cadbury's chocolate! A guy in front of us disappeared whenever the guard appeared - suspect no a/c ticket!
The train got in a bit early, which was nearly a disaster as we weren't looking out for the station. Suddenly spotted, in small print, 'Kozhadkode'. the original name for Calicut, so hasty departure, and getting luggage off these monster-trains is a performance!
Looked heavingly busy, but got taxi and reached the Hyson Heritage Hotel. We were going along a typical, intensely busy, town street, when the taxi turned across the pavement (pavement?) and drove into a large glassy hotel atrium. It looked very swish, except for the unfinished bits. Anyway, in we went and eagerly anticipated the Lonely Planet promise of baths. Not a bad room, but no bath. Phoned reception, asked if you have a room with bath? No, no bar here, Madam.' (Most hotels don't serve alcohol) 'No, not bar, bath.' ''Balcony madam?' 'Forget it, we'll come down.' Dave nobly went down and explained. We were given a key to inspect a bigger room on the 5th floor. Very nice, a/c, bright and light, large, quite glossy - plus bath!! I showed my delight. 'Tub, madam?' Mmmm....
So, here we are in a city hotel, somewhat cheaper than a travelodge, wonderful hot water, super a/c, lovely bed, a fridge (unheard of luxury) and even Wi-fi, except the server is down! Snags? Well, the hotel isn't actually finished, the view is a tatty building site and what looks like a festering mozzie breeding pool, and the bathroom smells strongly of garlic. Still, we are rather enjoying all this luxury!
After blissful hot bath and sandwich lunch, we ventured out. Heaving main road, terrifying to cross, and no information to be had. This is where Vasco de Gama landed in 1450something. This is where the Church of South India was started by Swiss missionaries four or so centuries later. This is where Somerset Maugham had his G & T by the beach, this is where the Moppila Muslims have mosques going back to 11th Century - and where is it all? We will have to search the Internet - when there's service! From what we can see, except for a candle fire hazard little Jain temple next door, none of them would have bothered now! Still, tomorrow is another day! Oh joy, reception just called to say internet is now possible and he can 'find us a one hour card'. I didn't quite bite his hand off, but will be great to have access on our own computer and hopefully at reasonable speed. It was always hit and miss, at best slow, in the Internet cafe in Cochin - cheap, though.
CALICUT..???
Well, we got the train after a little panic when the taxi was late. Fortunately the Junction station was a bit nearer than the main one, so it didn't take as long through the morning rush hour traffic. The station was busy, but the announcements were good - when you could hear them. Every tiime a train came in it disgorged so many people that the noise was horrendous and the announcements disappeared. However, the 'porter' who carried our two heavy cases on his head, including over a footbridge very like the one at Crewe, obviously knew what he was doing as he deposited them, and us, at exactly the spot where our compartment would come in. We had recliner seats for the four hour or so journey, and they were very comfortable. At regular intervals sellers of tea, coffee (very hot) various Indian dishes, crisps, chocolate, bananas came through the train. A huge treat was hot coffee and Cadbury's chocolate! A guy in front of us disappeared whenever the guard appeared - suspect no a/c ticket!
The train got in a bit early, which was nearly a disaster as we weren't looking out for the station. Suddenly spotted, in small print, 'Kozhadkode'. the original name for Calicut, so hasty departure, and getting luggage off these monster-trains is a performance!
Looked heavingly busy, but got taxi and reached the Hyson Heritage Hotel. We were going along a typical, intensely busy, town street, when the taxi turned across the pavement (pavement?) and drove into a large glassy hotel atrium. It looked very swish, except for the unfinished bits. Anyway, in we went and eagerly anticipated the Lonely Planet promise of baths. Not a bad room, but no bath. Phoned reception, asked if you have a room with bath? No, no bar here, Madam.' (Most hotels don't serve alcohol) 'No, not bar, bath.' ''Balcony madam?' 'Forget it, we'll come down.' Dave nobly went down and explained. We were given a key to inspect a bigger room on the 5th floor. Very nice, a/c, bright and light, large, quite glossy - plus bath!! I showed my delight. 'Tub, madam?' Mmmm....
So, here we are in a city hotel, somewhat cheaper than a travelodge, wonderful hot water, super a/c, lovely bed, a fridge (unheard of luxury) and even Wi-fi, except the server is down! Snags? Well, the hotel isn't actually finished, the view is a tatty building site and what looks like a festering mozzie breeding pool, and the bathroom smells strongly of garlic. Still, we are rather enjoying all this luxury!
After blissful hot bath and sandwich lunch, we ventured out. Heaving main road, terrifying to cross, and no information to be had. This is where Vasco de Gama landed in 1450something. This is where the Church of South India was started by Swiss missionaries four or so centuries later. This is where Somerset Maugham had his G & T by the beach, this is where the Moppila Muslims have mosques going back to 11th Century - and where is it all? We will have to search the Internet - when there's service! From what we can see, except for a candle fire hazard little Jain temple next door, none of them would have bothered now! Still, tomorrow is another day! Oh joy, reception just called to say internet is now possible and he can 'find us a one hour card'. I didn't quite bite his hand off, but will be great to have access on our own computer and hopefully at reasonable speed. It was always hit and miss, at best slow, in the Internet cafe in Cochin - cheap, though.
CALICUT..???
Well, we got the train after a little panic when the taxi was late. Fortunately the Junction station was a bit nearer than the main one, so it didn't take as long through the morning rush hour traffic. The station was busy, but the announcements were good - when you could hear them. Every tiime a train came in it disgorged so many people that the noise was horrendous and the announcements disappeared. However, the 'porter' who carried our two heavy cases on his head, including over a footbridge very like the one at Crewe, obviously knew what he was doing as he deposited them, and us, at exactly the spot where our compartment would come in. We had recliner seats for the four hour or so journey, and they were very comfortable. At regular intervals sellers of tea, coffee (very hot) various Indian dishes, crisps, chocolate, bananas came through the train. A huge treat was hot coffee and Cadbury's chocolate! A guy in front of us disappeared whenever the guard appeared - suspect no a/c ticket!
The train got in a bit early, which was nearly a disaster as we weren't looking out for the station. Suddenly spotted, in small print, 'Kozhadkode'. the original name for Calicut, so hasty departure, and getting luggage off these monster-trains is a performance!
Looked heavingly busy, but got taxi and reached the Hyson Heritage Hotel. We were going along a typical, intensely busy, town street, when the taxi turned across the pavement (pavement?) and drove into a large glassy hotel atrium. It looked very swish, except for the unfinished bits. Anyway, in we went and eagerly anticipated the Lonely Planet promise of baths. Not a bad room, but no bath. Phoned reception, asked if you have a room with bath? No, no bar here, Madam.' (Most hotels don't serve alcohol) 'No, not bar, bath.' ''Balcony madam?' 'Forget it, we'll come down.' Dave nobly went down and explained. We were given a key to inspect a bigger room on the 5th floor. Very nice, a/c, bright and light, large, quite glossy - plus bath!! I showed my delight. 'Tub, madam?' Mmmm....
So, here we are in a city hotel, somewhat cheaper than a travelodge, wonderful hot water, super a/c, lovely bed, a fridge (unheard of luxury) and even Wi-fi, except the server is down! Snags? Well, the hotel isn't actually finished, the view is a tatty building site and what looks like a festering mozzie breeding pool, and the bathroom smells strongly of garlic. Still, we are rather enjoying all this luxury!
After blissful hot bath and sandwich lunch, we ventured out. Heaving main road, terrifying to cross, and no information to be had. This is where Vasco de Gama landed in 1450something. This is where the Church of South India was started by Swiss missionaries four or so centuries later. This is where Somerset Maugham had his G & T by the beach, this is where the Moppila Muslims have mosques going back to 11th Century - and where is it all? We will have to search the Internet - when there's service! From what we can see, except for a candle fire hazard little Jain temple next door, none of them would have bothered now! Still, tomorrow is another day! Oh joy, reception just called to say internet is now possible and he can 'find us a one hour card'. I didn't quite bite his hand off, but will be great to have access on our own computer and hopefully at reasonable speed. It was always hit and miss, at best slow, in the Internet cafe in Cochin - cheap, though.
CALICUT..???
Well, we got the train after a little panic when the taxi was late. Fortunately the Junction station was a bit nearer than the main one, so it didn't take as long through the morning rush hour traffic. The station was busy, but the announcements were good - when you could hear them. Every tiime a train came in it disgorged so many people that the noise was horrendous and the announcements disappeared. However, the 'porter' who carried our two heavy cases on his head, including over a footbridge very like the one at Crewe, obviously knew what he was doing as he deposited them, and us, at exactly the spot where our compartment would come in. We had recliner seats for the four hour or so journey, and they were very comfortable. At regular intervals sellers of tea, coffee (very hot) various Indian dishes, crisps, chocolate, bananas came through the train. A huge treat was hot coffee and Cadbury's chocolate! A guy in front of us disappeared whenever the guard appeared - suspect no a/c ticket!
The train got in a bit early, which was nearly a disaster as we weren't looking out for the station. Suddenly spotted, in small print, 'Kozhadkode'. the original name for Calicut, so hasty departure, and getting luggage off these monster-trains is a performance!
Looked heavingly busy, but got taxi and reached the Hyson Heritage Hotel. We were going along a typical, intensely busy, town street, when the taxi turned across the pavement (pavement?) and drove into a large glassy hotel atrium. It looked very swish, except for the unfinished bits. Anyway, in we went and eagerly anticipated the Lonely Planet promise of baths. Not a bad room, but no bath. Phoned reception, asked if you have a room with bath? No, no bar here, Madam.' (Most hotels don't serve alcohol) 'No, not bar, bath.' ''Balcony madam?' 'Forget it, we'll come down.' Dave nobly went down and explained. We were given a key to inspect a bigger room on the 5th floor. Very nice, a/c, bright and light, large, quite glossy - plus bath!! I showed my delight. 'Tub, madam?' Mmmm....
So, here we are in a city hotel, somewhat cheaper than a travelodge, wonderful hot water, super a/c, lovely bed, a fridge (unheard of luxury) and even Wi-fi, except the server is down! Snags? Well, the hotel isn't actually finished, the view is a tatty building site and what looks like a festering mozzie breeding pool, and the bathroom smells strongly of garlic. Still, we are rather enjoying all this luxury!
After blissful hot bath and sandwich lunch, we ventured out. Heaving main road, terrifying to cross, and no information to be had. This is where Vasco de Gama landed in 1450something. This is where the Church of South India was started by Swiss missionaries four or so centuries later. This is where Somerset Maugham had his G & T by the beach, this is where the Moppila Muslims have mosques going back to 11th Century - and where is it all? We will have to search the Internet - when there's service! From what we can see, except for a candle fire hazard little Jain temple next door, none of them would have bothered now! Still, tomorrow is another day! Oh joy, reception just called to say internet is now possible and he can 'find us a one hour card'. I didn't quite bite his hand off, but will be great to have access on our own computer and hopefully at reasonable speed. It was always hit and miss, at best slow, in the Internet cafe in Cochin - cheap, though. (Pictures might follow if we find anything to film....)