Day 93 - Mumbai, India

Day 93 – Sunday 13^th April 2014 – Mumbai, India

Mumbai, formerly Bombay is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra.  With an estimated population of thirteen million it is the most populous city in India.

Gateway to India behind the barricades

Built as a triumphal arch, the Gateway of India is a historically important monument to Mumbai, which was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary when they landed in 1911. It is built of yellow basalt stone in architectural style of Gujarat with four turrets and intricate latticework.  Its design is a combination of Hindu and Muslim architecture.

We went ashore at 10.30 and exchanged money in the cruise terminal and negotiated with a taxi driver called Ahmed, for a five hour of the city.  We were given a lower rate because the small Hyundia black with yellow top cab had natural air conditioning (the windows open).

It was a short run to the dock’s main gate and then the fun begins.  Although, it is a Sunday you are taken over by the hustle and bustle of the city, most of the shops and businesses are closed but there are traffic and people everywhere.

Corner of Victoria Station

Our first stop was at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the headquarters of the Central Railway.  The station was christened Victoria Terminus to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Jubilee day in 1887.  It is a truly magnificent building in the Gothic style of architecture.

Being a Sunday morning although busy there was not the two million commuters who pass through here every week day.  There is security here but many just walk round the side of the security screens which defects the object. 

Train spotting

There was no problems walking around the platforms, and the length of some of the trains stretched the full length of the platform.  An unusual sight was a hospital train at the station which obviously tours the country.

Post Office

Unidentified Building

  

Next door to the station was the main Post Office another magnificent structure but closed for the Sunday.  Back into the cab and we were on our way passing another fine building its function we were not able to find out but a magnificent colonial building.

Dhobi Ghat

  

Flogging Stones

 

Dhobi Ghat is a unique system found only in Mumbai for washing clothes by professional laundrymen (dhobis).  Almost 45% of dohbis on this 23 acre site3 are educated, but their most prized passion is the flogging stone.

Each of the washing stones at the over 100 year old ghat is an heirloom passed from one generation to the next.

Ahmed & Taxi

Off in the cab again and just about every time we had to stop because of traffic or a junctions and with the windows being open the beggars would appear with their hands out at the window, usually women with a child in their arms.  It is heartbreaking, as I know from the past, if you give to one, a horde will appear and it never ends, it was very difficult to turn them away.

  

Mahatma Gandhi

   

Ghandi's Bedroom

We arrived at 19 Laburnum road, Mani Bhavan, the residence of Mahatma Gandhi who stayed here during his visit to Mumbai between 1917 to 1934, it is now dedicated as a memorial to the Father of the Nation.


It has been well looked after and contains a pictorial gallery, research library, film and recording archive and personal items of Mahatma Gandhi.

A drive along beach front of Marina Drive was another eye-opener, as we passed the affluent part of the city with its many fine colonial building and hotels, overlooking the fine sandy beach which stretches for three kilometres.
We passed a very large sports stadium mostly for cricket matches, and a fascinating sight of seeing five cricket games going on, as we passed the playing fields one after another.  I would have been overjoyed to watch any of the games for half an hour, but not enough time.

Taj Mahal Hotel

Next to the Gateway to India is the Taj Mahal Hotel, a magnificent building brought into the limelight a few years back when it was taken over by terrorists for a few days, before the authorities got the situation under control.  Of course now, added security as you enter, but all the more worth it for the splendour of the interior, getting away from the heat and enjoy a refreshing beer.

Back on the tour and Ahmed took us to some very expensive shops.

Eventually he got the message, we did not want any carpets, gold or diamond ear-rings and ended up in a back street shop on the first floor, and emerged into this Aladdin’s cave.

More to our liking and we managed a very special price, after much haggling to get what we thought were bargains.

Kids on a cart

Driving around I was intrigued to come across this cart pulled by bullocks and driven by children and nobody batted, and eyelid, as obviously a regular occurrence.

Sacred Cow

Time to head back to the ship and I had been mentioning to the driver Ahmed about the cows which used to roam the streets when I was last in India. He took us in a direction where they were, but thankfully they are now tethered and not so much of a traffic hazard. This one liked having its picture taken.

Back at the ship, we said our goodbyes to Ahmed, he seemed very happy and we were to, as he had given us a wonderful tour of this city and its many, many faces.

In the Golden Lion we watched the top of the table football clash between Manchester City and Liverpool while enjoying our Speckled Hen.  It was surreal after what we had witnessed a couple of hours previously while ashore.

We sailed at 21.00, and during dinner I had a curry, just because we were in India, as it is not my favourite meal, and it never will be.

India has never changed, its people appear happy but the difference in living standards is tremendous.  They live very close to each other, without any problems and whether they can bridge or bring the gap closer together, is for others to contemplate.  It was good to come back, but there are no reasons for me to return.