Mumbai

We left Ajanta without a proper plan, not really knowing how to get to Mumbai. The general idea was to travel to any nearby large town and get a train. We decided to try our luck in Jalgoan, and flagged down a local bus on the main road. We spend a frustrating hour at the Jalgoan train station trying to get tickets without any luck. We’re finding that same day train tickets generally aren’t available; everything gets booked up weeks in advance. After speaking to a local travel agent, we manage to book tickets on an overnight bus. We kill the day in Jalgoan at internet cafes, and restaurants. I finally get the chance to pick up some medication for my stomach bug at a local pharmacy. Pretty sure what was supplied wouldn’t be available without prescription in the UK, but they did the trick and I immediately started to feel better. 

The bus turned out to be a bit of a nightmare. Multiple accidents on the route caused some serious tailbacks. The trip took 15 nasty hours (should have taken 9). Snoring men, spitting woman, crying babies, and strange smells, all combined with accumulated sleep deprivation; we were not happy campers! The only plus point (minor) was meet a student chap who sorted us out a reliable taxi from the drop-off point in Mumbai to our hotel. When we finally reached our hotel in Colaba (central Mumbai), we slept for the rest of the day only rising once in the evening to worship western food at the magnificent golden arch temple. 

After our first proper nights sleep in the last three days, we head out to explore Mumbai. Immediately it’s obvious that Mumbai is much more cosmopolitan than anywhere else we’ve visited in India (the part we visited anyway). Definitely a world class city; exactly what we needed after the last two weeks. We start with a walking tour of the major sites. 

Gateway to India & Taj palace hotel 

Museums & galleries

Oval Maidan

Victoria Terminus Train Station

Everything is bigger in Mumbai (including the dogs). This fat one overdosed after a biscuit binge - sad. 

Obligatory comedy sign.

We went to the cinema in the evening and watched The Fighter. Good film, but some of the British accents in the final scenes are ridiculous. 

We spend our second day shopping, stocking up on essential supplies (cosmetics, mosquito spray etc). Shejal’s cousin Namrata asked for a Barbie doll dressed in a sari, so we visited Hamleys at a nearby mall and picked one up. We end the day watching the sun go down at Chowpati beach and eating bhel puri.

This chap had a strange weighing machine that was somehow hooked up to a media player and screen. A cryptic message delivered by a guru (in Hindi) is played on the screen depending on your weight. Confusing experience!

We split up on the final day. Shejal headed to the beauty salon; I went on a boat trip to Elephant Island to view Buddhist caves. The trip 12KM across Mumbai port reveals just how massive the city is (I read in the local paper that the population of Mumbai is predicted to exceed 50 million by 2050!) The Buddhist caves at Elephant Island are pretty cool, although those at Ajanta are much better. 

Fanta drinking monkey

We rounded off the day with another trip to the cinema to watch The King’s Speech. We both feel right at home in big cities, and Mumbai didn’t disappoint; really enjoyable visit!