[indrasis_gun]

Originally Posted by AJ-got-BHP

I hear that in the Bengal Safari region, one can dry on the River Bed all throughout when the river is dried up ? What's your take on that ?

I could not understand the query. But I think you are asking about possibility of driving on the dry river bed. Inside the Bengal Safari park, there is no chance of it as you have to park your car outside the ticket counter. But outside the designated area of the park, there are numerous small gravel roads going straight to the river bed.

So, YES to your query.

It should be in your must-to-do list when you will be in Siliguri by your endy.

[AJ-got-BHP]

Reliving some Forgotten Treasures : Golden Retreat @ Haldia

There are many people who travel within Bengal for work. Haldia being an industrial area, attracts many visitors from Kolkata and from across India as well. However amidst the industrialization sits this beautiful resort named The Golden Retreat. The first time I visited was probably when it opened in 1999 and then a few times when mixed work with leisure.

A travel to Haldia does not need any details, so sharing some pictures :

[AJ-got-BHP]

Reliving some Forgotten Treasures : Raichak

The Ffort Radisson was the first 5* Resort outside Kolkata during our younger years. Now there are plenty. Strange that there was no mention of Raichak on the thread which is located alongside the Ganges.

At a point of time, it used to be our quarterly regime to to go there with friends for an overnighter. However, we always preferred staying in the Villas which were previously known as Manilla Villa and probably now is known as Ffort Suites where we would have an entire 2/3/4 BHK Villa to our own selves with a kitchenette which used to be fun. A friend of mine has a bunglow there and most of the times that was our den !

Everyone used to try their hand and making something or the other. However, in recent times, they have prohibited cooking due to some accidents that happened.

The place is wonderful and very close to my heart. Sharing some pictures :

[AJ-got-BHP]

Reliving some Forgotten Treasures : Country Roads @ Panchla, Howrah

We happened to visit Country Roads a couple of years back for our Anniversary and really enjoyed the calmness of the place. It is extremely close to Kolkata and is a good place for an overnight stay.

I would let the pictures do the talking :




































I found this place excellent for some Car Photography : Sharing some clicks :

[Fordlover88]

Yesterday we had our office picnic at Sundargram. It's located close to ghatakpukur & is 30 odd kilometres from science city. The property itself is quite beautifully conceptualized with semi-mud cum concrete huts, a small pond, barbecue place and a small playground for guests. Surrounded by almost 360 degree lush green paddy field, pollution free air makes you feel lighter & absolute silence provides you serenity. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there. The place is perfect for a day trip where you can relax with your family/friend's.

[Sukanta73]

On 11th Feb we visited Garh Panhckot which is 45 KM away from my home. We went through Sarbari more. It's a very nice place in bottom of Panchet hills.

Here are some pics



Saw these small boys, they are making very nice craft work, charges are very normal.




To make this below craft he needs only 15 minutes

[ron82x3]

Originally Posted by Samba

4) Burdwan (108 Shiva temple)- The tomb at Satdeul near Palshit.


Road condition is excellent through out.

Hotels- Its hardly a half day trip!

Thank you for your awesome compilation. I visited this place yesterday. Though I have visited most of the places mentioned, still this is one of the most helpful road trip guide for anyone of any expertise.
This section, where you mention the road condition is tremendously helpful because people like me are more interested in knowing road condition rather than simple distance. Heck, even distance does not matter, if roads are excellent.

Attaching a few pictures









Once again, thank you for your detailed write up

[rahul4640]

Baro duari mosque, in Gour. This place is now in ruins but the grandeur is impressive.

[haisaikat]

The last few months had been eventful and could make a couple of visit here and there

Jungle Tent for a dayout.

In December 2019 we visited with friends a place called Jungle Tent for a dayout

Google Plus Code: FG52+47 Samukpota, West Bengal

It is around 30 minutes drive to reach from Ruby Hospital More of Kolkata through the road that goes beside Urbana apartments. Alternatively one can also go via Science City taking the Basanti Expressway. Its accurately mapped on Google so no hassles reaching. If you hire one of their tents then you get to park your car inside their premises but otherwise for day visitors on a food package only the car is to be parked at a chargeable place outside the boundary just on the playground next to it. Its a decent sized place for housing 4-5 big sized picnic parties and comes with both AC and non-AC tents and quite a few fun activity setup. most for lids but few for adults too. Food and Service is decent albeit little pricey. Water bodies are all around with no height barriers so watch your kids of the group.



















Nirala Resort, Deulti, Howrah

Google Plus Code: FW56+J9 Mellak, West Bengal

We visited this place with office colleagues in Jan 2020. Around 60 KM from Kolkata, can be reached in 2 hours by road, this huge resort can house multiple large to very large picnic parties all at once, so as to allow everyone a sizable play ground with option to run any kind of fun activities and also with option of booking AC Rooms. Parking is inside the perimeter and decent sized. It is also close to the house of Sarat Chandra. Food is reasonably priced and menu can be customized as per prior arrangements.























Previously in November 2019 we visited Tarakeshwar, Kamarpukur and Jairambati, the Travelogue for the same is posted here
Tarakeshwar, Kamarpukur & Jairambati (Weekend trip to Tarakeshwar, Kamarpukur & Jairambati)

Tarakeshwar


Kamarpukur


Sada Bonde of Kamarpukur


Jairambati


Puruliya (Garpanchkot, Maithon, Baranti)

In March 2020, we rediscovered Garhpanckot, Baranti and Maithon (link to travelogue)

Panchet Dam


Masks at Garh Panchkot


Blooming Palash at Baranti


Maithon

Originally Posted by Fordlover88

Yesterday we had our office picnic at Sundargram.

Just wondering are you working for the IT Co. in Leather Complex as me?

We visited Sundargram back in early 2018 for the first time for surveying and then during the Durga Puja of last year which is in 2019 (Durga Puja Diaries : A guide to the city with a soul, Kolkata). We liked their Durga Puja special package inclusive of great food. One thing we realized is that we could have helped with a little more real estate inside the perimeter which otherwise is compact. But a good visit none the less.

Originally Posted by rahul4640

Baro duari mosque, in Gour. This place is now in ruins but the grandeur is impressive.
Attachment 1986949

Rahul da, anything else of interest nearby where we can pay a visit at one go?

[rahul4640]

Originally Posted by haisaikat

Rahul da, anything else of interest nearby where we can pay a visit at one go?

Nothing much. All things you may see in one full day, except a place called Ramjibanpur containing some Buddhist stupas & archaelogical findings, some 35 KMs way from Maldah town. Maldah town has many hotels and I suggest that you make a visit during the winter. In case you visit north Bengal or north eastern states, you may even consider stopping here for a day. Here is a list of notable places in Maldah.

[Fordlover88]

Originally Posted by haisaikat

Just wondering are you working for the IT Co. in Leather Complex as me?

No, i work in CESC. My office is in Park Circus 7 point crossing. We were randomly searching for picnic spots in internet when we came across sundargram. We liked the concept and booked it.

[Samba]

After Amphan (Super-cyclone) hit Bengal we had some work related visits to the gateways of Sundarban.
And I must add, these places are beautiful and can be visited as tourist attractions too. Quite nice for day trips.

Bhubaneshwari, Deul Bari (an Island on Matla river)

Drive duration and distance- 120 kms from Dankuni. Takes around 3.5 hours each way. Round trip comes around 240 kms.

Route- Dankuni- Science city- Garia - Sonarpur- Jaynagar- Bhubaneshwari. From Bhubaneshwari ferry ghat boats can be hired to take a ride on the Matla river.

Road condition is good to bad with high traffic congestion.

Hotels- This place is more suited for a day trip. Else there are some basic staying options at Kaikhali.

Things to lookout for- The boat ride on the vast Matla river is refreshing. A 2-3 hours boat ride to visit few Islands beside the river can take you to remote villages of Bengal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxxgxxw_4do

[Samba]

G-Plot

Drive duration and distance- 140 km from Dankuni. Takes around 3.5 hours each way. Then 1 hour boat ride, followed by another 1 hour vano ride will take you to the sea beach!

Route- Dankuni- Behala- Amtala- Sirakol- Usthi - Laxmikantapur- Dola - Ramganga Ferry Ghat.
Take a boat ride of 45 mins to 1 hour on river Ramganga to reach Chandmari Ghat. From their the sea beach is another 45 mins on a Vano ride.

Road condition- Is good but full of town traffic.

Hotels- Hardly one or two local home-stays. Best for a day trip.
Near Ramganga ferry Ghat there is hotel named 'Hotel Sweety' with proper parking space. One can park his/her vehicle over their by paying a fee too.

Things to look out for- Deserted sea beach. It's hard to find a single tourist. This is one of the last Island of West Bengal. It's opposite side is the Sundarban forest.

This Island has only 3 cars, one Bolero for the local police station, one Maruti Omni, and the 3rd one is a surprise! Its a Fiat Palio! Vano is their main means of transport.
Vano ride from Chandmari ghat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luUB58AtKGs

[Samba]

Gadkhali

Drive duration and distance- 80-100 km from Science city. Its a 2-3 hours drive.

Route - Science city - Basanti highway - Bantala - Malancha -Canning - Gadkhali

Road condition is good to bad in some places. Heavy town traffic at places.

Hotels- There are numerous hotels/resorts in this sector. This is actually a proper gateway to Sundarban.

Things to look out for- By parking the car at Gadkhali (proper parking place is available) take a launch to explore the Mangrove forests of Sundarban.
This can be a day trip or an overnight trip or even more!

My earlier write-up on this place, when we had a 2 nights 3 days trip-
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/trave...ml#post3680329 (West Bengal - A treasure for tourists)

A ride on the turbulent Bidyadhari river during heavy rain. The ride was scary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBp8vm3txTQ

[soumiksett]

Amphan relief work - great job done by you and your team.

Stunning pictures, beautiful videos, and detailed information in aspects of a day trip.

I have not visited G-Plot sector, your pictures are very much alluring, wish to visit as soon as possible, visited rest two sectors many times.

Enjoyed a lot.