Calcutta , General info:
6/10

New name is KOLKATA - that is closer how it used to be pronounced in the native language - Bengali.

Airport code is still the old code CCU for Calcutta. The airport is on northeast corner of metro - also also called Dum Dum from the local township name.

If going by train, try station names of HOWRAH or SEALDAH - the latter is a friendlier terminus, but less trains go there. Howrah is the traditional rail terminus - on other side of river Ganges.

Calcutta , Cheap stuff:
9/10

Great food - whether Mughlai or sweets, and most reasonable price among metro Indian cities.

'Get Well' Clinic is the best as well as very cheap PHYSIOTHERPY & ACUPRESSURE Centre. You can get really sincer and dedicated treatment here.

Calcutta , Different stuff:
8/10

Tough driving and narrow / slow roads.

Calcutta , Don't miss:
10/10

Victoria Memorial.

Darjeeling - a hill town about 600 km north.

Digha - a seaside resort - about 4 hours drive

Calcutta , Food:
10/10

Great food everywhere in this city

Calcutta , Hotels:
8/10

Quite a few 4 and 5 star hotels

Calcutta , Safety:
7/10

Safer than other towns - but beware of pickpocketing.

Chiang Mai , General info:
9/10

To those that have visited Chiang Mai, Thailand they love it and thousands of foreigners have made this their home in retirement. But yet many still have not heard of Chiang Mai which is Thailand\'s 2nd largest city at only 300k population (city but outlying areas).

Chiang Mai is located about 1 hr north of Bangkok by plane and is cooler, cleaner, less traffic, less pollution and lower priced than Bangkok or Pattaya or Puket.

Chiang Mai , Different stuff:
7/10

If you are not from these parts some of the fruits and food you will not be accustomed to and we suggest sampling as much as you can and only watch out for foods with hot peppers as you have to develop a tolerance for the types and amount of peppers to add.

Chiang Mai , Food:
10/10

One of the best things about Chiang Mai and Thailand are the foods and fruits most of which are grown locally including strawberries.

So many different types of fruits that after living here for several years I have still not tasted them all.

The food is delicious and cheap.

Chiang Mai , Hotels:
10/10