THIS PLACE IS A HIT OR MISS/LOVE AND HATE AT THE SAME TIME. TAKE YOUR PICK!! Beautiful location and manicured garden (though not a huge variety of flora). Pleasant atmosphere with a splendid view of the river. Appreciable that they don't charge entrance fee for senior citizens.

The Museum: The old DC bungalow has been converted to a museum of broader Assamese history. For people who are unfamiliar, it is a good experience. Display and curation, especially of the textiles and weaves is beautifully done. Other rooms could be better and I say this only because they charge Rs. 100 person. Maybe Rs 50 would have been more justifiable. The write up is good but not readable. The maps and writeups are placed high above the eye level of an average height person. Small font and too wordy; could have been more eloquent writings.

Starbucks Cafe: The staff seemed somewhat confused with the orders (they didn't mess up though). Just overwhelmed I think, which should not be the case given that it was only at 25% capacity when I went on a weekday afternoon. The baristas are young and don't speak up. I ordered the Kenya blend hot coffee and was told they dont have it brewed at this time. I asked if they can brew and then they again seemed confused or hesitant. When one pays Rs. 250 for a cup of coffee, I expect the cafe to be able to provide what's on the menu. Finally I requested a pour over. The suggestion should have come from them in the first place. It was sitting there till I asked them to pour it and of course by then it was over brewed and nasty to taste.

Overall experience: It is a calm and quite atmosphere in the middle of a bustling business neighborhood. Terrific view but comes with a price (sad that now one has to pay to view nature). They have very small playgrounds. Waste of time and money if you come with kids. The viewing area has railing but not entirely child proof, so one has to watch the kids the entire time. This place is not for children. Not enough play area and gets noisy and annoying to others who come there for a quite time.

They need to have options for mode of payment. Expensive place and don't accept credit card? Stupid process of checking tickets and bills on the way out. When they already check your ticket when entering the museum, what is the logic of checking at the exit gate? And if the Rs.20 ticket needs to be checked, do so when entering. Why does it matter if one spent money in Starbucks or not? Basically, started great and ended with an annoying experience.