Mumbai

 

10 June

Mumbai today. The info we received in the Princess Patter last night said the sail in to Mumbai was "an impressive sight". I was going to get up at 6.00 and look at the hundreds of islands we were to pass but when I woke up, we were docked. Again the princess map didn't show where we docked.The map wasn't too bad this time but luckily John had all the Mumbi map downloaded on his Iphone. There are maps available on the pier as well as money change but the maps are basic. Saw the Arkroyal, the British aircraft carrier which saw service in the Falklands and is now a museum. Security here is very tight (lots of guards with AK45s) and had to show all manner of documentation several times to get off and on the ship. Mumbai is absolutely nothing like I expected. It is a lovely city – certainly very confronting at times with a lot of poverty, rubbish ever present and traffic chaos. We weren't hassled in a big way at all. We took a cab to all the usual sights in the morning. US$40 for three hours – I suppose we could have haggled down more but that is a reasonable price I think. Went to the Gateway for India, The Taj Hotel, Malabar Hill were apartments cost $2million AUD and the hanging gardens. Saw the Parsi Tower (through the trees) and the Parsi area. This is where, in their religion, they put people's bodies for the birds to carry away. We went to Ghandi's museum which i found quite moving. Marine drive (saw the cricket ground) and Chowpatty Beach. We left our cabbie at Fabindia, an upmarket sari/shirt store etc. recommended by one of the Indian girls working in the ship's shop. Cabbie couldn't find it at first and had a big conflab with a lot of people on the street, all were happy to help. We were just told Fab but eventually someone, with great glee, realised it was Fabindia. John bought a shirt then we just meandered along the streets with little stalls etc. People tried to sell but didn't hassle. I bought a shawl for Rp100 about AUD3. We were trying to find Churchgate Railway station and asked directions a couple of times. People were very pleasant and pleased to help. The crowds weren't overwhelming. We managed to find the station, buy tickets – AUD1.50 for four of us to go about 20 stations. A couple of people we asked directions from and also the man who sold tickets (We wanted to go to Victoria Terminus) said we could easily walk there but we had to get across that we wanted to go the long way around by train. There are no destination boards as such so had to ask directions like real tourists. We jumped on a train just as it was leaving and were immediately confronted with a lot of none too happy women. We'd got on the 'ladies carriage' , with John and Allan. Had to get off at the next station and run to the next carriage. I was the last on just as the train pulled out. We had to change trains and again, no destination boards but people were happy to help. If you don't hit the ground running as the train slows to a stop, you may not get off as people surge on. Here it's an advantage not to be a size 8 - I just pushed from inside the train as those getting on pushed as well and I won. Yay!!! It's very hot and humid but I'd say it's very easy to do your own thing in Mumbai. Taxis are easy to get, just work out the price you want to pay (be reasonable) and if they won't come down walk away, they will soon agree if the price was OK. Make sure the taxi is airconditioned and the driver speaks reasonable English. Work out what you want to see. The Mumbai webiste is excellent. Lots of people booked on Mumbai tours cancelled because they're sick of museums and temples and being on buses with lots of other people. Great place Mumbai. I'm looking forward to a quiet night in.

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