Christmas in Kolkata

has certainly been different but I have to say has been one of the most special that I have had in a long tim.e

On Christmas Eve morning we slept in and then had pancakes at about 11am. We then played a game of scrabble (I have become quite addicted to that game) and then prepared to go out for at late lunch. We headed out to a place called "The Bistro" which felt like it should have been in Europe somewhere instead of India. We were the only diners at the restaurant and were treated like royalty. When we placed our order we were given suggestions by the owner as to what we might like to try instead. Mum and I loved this aspect of it but I don't think that dad was quite so keen. We were waited on hand and foot during the meal and the food was delicious.

We then took an autorickshaw and did some grocery shopping and then headed to meet the girls for a Christmas Eve service at the local Bengali church. This was incredible. I've been to quite a few Christmas Eve services in my time but this one was the most unsual. We were presented with songs and dances and skits and a message - all given entirely in Bengali. Thankfully I was able to pick up most of what they were saying. The members of the congregation chatted the whole way through and there was lots of coming and going - but this is the Bengali way and it seemed to work - to say that it was a quiet service would be like saying that England is going to win the World Cup again next year...

We then walked home and had an evening of playing scrabble, drinking some nice wine that I had brought over from England (thankfully it made it here in one piece) and then watched Memoirs of a Geisha (a most amazing film and one I would highly recommend). We crashed about 1.30am after a really special day.

Christmas Day involved an early start. We were meeting about 15 expats from NZ for breakfast at a local hotel. They serve an incredible smorgasbord with western foods. We were there for three hours but it was well worth it. The three of us then walked around the shops, had some coffee and headed home for a nap.

Christmas Night was absolutely incredible and I don't think that I will ever have a repeat of it. The girls from the business wanted to give me a farewell party and so decided to have it on Christmas Day. The brought their Indian CDs and were all dressed up. They arrived and put the music on and made me dance - BY MYSELF. It was a very humbling experience - I didn't realise how difficult it was to dance to music when you had no idea what the words were. The girls then joined in and we danced for about two hours - I was exhausted by the end of the evening. I treated them to samosas and ice cream and I think a good time was had by all.

I'm really going to miss them.

I hope you all had a great Christmas with friends and family.

Yesterday Dad and I went took a trip into town and visited the Marble Palace. This is one of Kolkata's main landmarks. It's incredible, and part of it is still lived in. Contained within the palace is a painting by Ruebens, quite impressive. The grounds are vast and contain a bird sanctuary and a rockpool and bush walks - I had to keep reminding myself that I was in the middle of India.

We then ventured into the legal district. I visited the High Court and saw where the Notarys reside. They have little huts outside the court and they type on really old fashioned typewriters (a far cry from the modern computers) and some of them actually sleep in their offices. The legal documents are typed right outside the court room and are done at the time of the trial or session - I'm not sure I could handle that sort of pressure.

My time in India has come to an end and I fly to Singapore tonight. It's going to be tough saying goodbye, particularly to mum and dad but I've had an amazing time and will never forget it.

I will write more from New Zealand...