Dhaka to Kolkata by Car

On 29th May 2009, I entered Kolkata from Dhaka via Benapole and Petrapole by my TOYOTA Corolla XE Saloon and fulfilled my long cherished dream. I also visited Suri and Shahapur, a district town and a village at West Bengal and my ancestors’ place. Unfortunately at that time strike was going on in Shantiniketon. Therefore, we could not visit that place. I wished to have launch at Jeeran on way to Bolpur but that could not be done.I was accompanied by my wife and son.The drive through NH2 & NH6 towards Suri was really enjoyable. It is a beautiful road and any person would love to drive through this road.I was impressed while driving through Kolkata. The Kolkata road quality is by and large good. Traffic management is excellent. Kolkata is now a clean and beautiful city. Although Kolkata people are not satisfied comparing it with other cities of India.On the way there was no trouble except in the border. As usual, customs on both side demanded money for their 'job'. If refuse to pay they will create problem. I had nothing contra band with me. Still they liked to unzip all the luggage to delay the process and started asking funny questions. To get rid of their stupid baseless enquiry and to save time I also had to pay them. Otherwise I would have to pull out all my luggage, take it to the customs house and show them every piece of clothes and thus kill time and make my life hell.I am grateful to IM and Google for helping me find out good places to visit and good places to eat at Kolkata.I found Arsalan as the best place at Kolkata for Byriani.Kolkata street foods are simply superb. We mainly lived on street foods during the entire 15 days holiday but never felt unwell.Bhojohori Manna disappointed us. Firstly we had to wait for 40 munites in que to get into it. Secondly their service is awesome.Food quality is also substandard. Although they used several east bengal name in their menue still these are not prepared as per east bengal process. We should say these are all ghoti preparation with sugar in every item.For authentic Bengali cuisine,still Kasturi,Radhuni,KoiPabda,Shors he Ilish of Dhaka is best.I was really impressed to see the improvement made by Kolkata in last 10 years. Once (10 years back) Dhaka was considered better than Kolkata but now Kolkata is much better than Dhaka.Enjoy Dhaka to Kolkata travel photo at:http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/55567 &
http://picasaweb.google.com/nasim15/DhakaToKolkata#