It’s been nearly 20-years since Bombay went the way of Upper Volta and Burma and changed its name. This is now the great city of Mumbai, home to 18-million people along the western coast of India, beside the Arabian Sea. This Portuguese dowry to the people of Britain became headquarters of the East India Company in 1708 and has remained the centre of Indian wealth, industry, education and culture ever since. A lifetime would hardly do justice to a visit, to this massive teeming metropolis.
Must See Mumbai
The Gateway of India marks the entrance to the Port of Mumbai. The arch was the last stop for British troops leaving the Raj by sea in 1947. Seen at sunrise or sunset, the honeyed basalt provides a spectrum of colour. The best stretch of beach in the area is Kashid beach which is a jewel of long, white sand beaches, green mountain tops, and the bluest (cleanest) waters near Mumbai.
Mumbai Attractions
Near Sanjay Ghandi Park you will find Film City Part of the massive Bollywood film production engine. Mahalaxmi Racecourse is the place to go to experience horse racing Indian Style. Nehru Planetarium named after the former prime minister is a world class star gazing facility. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (Prince of Wales Museum) is a stunning building holding all manor of Indian and Raj treasures. Rajabai clock tower is one of those pieces of England magically transported to India, in the city’s university.
Getting Around Mumbai
Parties of three or less will want to hop on an auto-rickshaw. This is the most beloved conveyance in the city and probably the quickest, but you’ll want to watch your wallet. The rickshaw-wallahs would rather make long trips than short; some have been know to charge as much as 150 INR (2.5 Euros) per ride, three times what you should pay. The black and yellow taxi fleet will get you just about anywhere safely though the frenzied traffic. A new monorail and metro system should be completed in 2009.
Shopping in Mumbai
You may find a bargain, but you will have you do some hunting…quite. Mumbaikars are a wealthy lot in this global economy and they spend on a similar level to westerners. At Colaba near the Taj Mahal Hotel, the lovely Pashmina shawls should run the gamut from 2000 INR to 10000 INR. Azeem Khan Couture is also along Colaba and prides itself on crystal and embroidery. If money is no object, treat yourself to Ravissant on the Cooperage road. Saris galore at Marine Lines and that perfect Dhurrie you’re after is waiting at Zeba in Colaba. Crawford Market is a bustling genuine local market and a great place to look for bargains.
A Note on Safety
Mumbai is as safe a world capital as London, New York or Tokyo. Violent crime against tourists is a rarity and usually happens to those foolish enough to be out after midnight alone and worse for wear. One of the favourite ploys of Mumbai petty criminals is the fake authority scam. A stranger will engage you at random with documentation claiming to prove his official authority and then seek to relieve you of your cash. Do not engage any stranger that appears unprovoked in this way.
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