It was a Friday and I had official work, out of the office. The work got over by 4 pm and that was a perfect timing to venture to any beach within the city and watch the sunset in Mumbai. I and my colleagues decided on, ofcourse, Sunset in Marine Drive Mumbai, one of the top places to see in Mumbai.
Pic Courtesy: By Vasiliy Baryshnikov - Imported from 500px (archived version) by the Archive Team via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
Pic Courtesy: By A.Savin (Wikimedia Commons · WikiPhotoSpace) - Own work, FAL, via Wikimedia Commons
Marine Drive is the 3 km seaside road in Mumbai City that connects Nariman Point and Babulnath. It’s a curved concrete road which has a natural bay on the sea side. We went to the part of the beach near the Churchgate station. Chowpatti beach is in one end of the road. We could have gone there, but decided to stay here, to facilitate easier return via train.
It has beautiful short wall beside which is one of the Mumbai spots, frequented by the locals, to enjoy a beautiful, peaceful sunset. We sat there on the wall and that was such a beautiful experience. With my love for secluded beaches, a beach like this one in the midst of the city was rather different experience. I wouldn't say this is the best beach in Mumbai, but it is unique. The seaside of the wall has several concrete rocks to prevent the waves from splashing in. There were quite a few eagles sitting on the rocks deeper in the sea. There were these playful kittens which tried their hand in jumping from one rock to another and playing and their mother trying its level best to control and take care of them. Watching them play, I didn’t know when the dusk began.
Pic Courtesy: Pinakpani via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
JUHU BEACH AT NIGHT:
Reaching hostel, I had dinner and almost retired for the day at around 9:30 pm when my r
roommates said, “Let’s go to Juhu Beach.”. I was like “At this point of time…!!!”. Well, it was esp. for me and another floor-mate (well, that’s a word I coined for someone who lives in the same floor but in a diff room in hostel. When there could be class mate, school mate, roommate, block mate, etc etc etc, why not a floor mate!). We both were leaving the hostel within a few days, because I had a change of job and she had a change of life, hmmm.., well, she was getting married. So, the plan was to have a hens’ party.
Pic Courtesy: Anish1321 via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
No complaints about the timings, Juhu beach nightlife is unique. It was crowded and had at least a few hundred people even at that point of time. I had a second dinner with Mumbai specialty chats and a veg biriyani, a Juhu beach speciality.
We had ice gola – it’s essentially a stick with crushed ice lollipop on it with colorful sugar juices and essences poured all over it. The essence and color are our choice and a friend opted for a multi color one. This is also a Mumbai Specialty, one of the must-try street-food of Mumbai.
After treating our tongues and stomach’s well, we went and sat on the beach and enjoyed the splashing waves and night. This was such an amazing view to see the black waves bordered with ripples of white bubbles crashing on to the land, topped with a cool breeze, a dark night, and friends together.
Pic Courtesy: Udaykumar PR via Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
A local photographer was walking by and asking people if they needed their pics to be clicked in the beach. We so badly wanted, as we were parting in the next few days. We had a nice pic and ordered for 6 copies which would be given to us in half-an –hour. Of course, he had to bargain for a good deal.
It was 1 am when the crowd started to dissolve little by little and we too decided to get back. Took 2 autos as before and returned back and didn’t get to sleep for the next half-an-hour and kept on chit chatting and finally slept off.
TO REACH THERE
In Mumbai aka Bombay, India
How to reach Marine Drive, Mumbai:
By Local Train: Western Line – Charni Road, Marine line or Church Gate
Walkable distance to beach from all stations.
How to reach Juhu Beach, Mumbai:
From Dadar: 10 km via Mahim, SV Rd, Khar, Juhu Rd.
From Andheri: 6 km via SV Rd, Hasmukh Ngr, Juhu Rd.
Nearest BEST Bus stop : Juhu Bus Depot
Nearest Railway Station: 3 km - Western Line – Santa Cruz
Dedicated to Sanchari, Anuradha, Rupel, Asiya, Mamta, Saumya
Ah Mumbai never sleeps! I've not been on Juhu Beach in decades. Last time I drove past and event that was 10 years ago. I remember the chats we used to eat at the beach in the evenings and enjoy a walk when the sun sets. Brought back some memories of my early trips 20 years back!
ReplyDeleteWow!!! Its lovely to go to a beach at midnight lolz!! its been my fantasy to visit a beach at deadnight and enjoy with soulmate :D lolz... Beautiful post :)
ReplyDeleteAh to be young again and enjoy the beach at night. I remeber doing that years ago. It is especially nice on hot nights. You have a lovelybunch of friends I hope you keep in touch when you all leave.
ReplyDeleteVery nice indeed. Thank you for the specila mention of my blog. I'm flattered for this! THANK YOU!
ReplyDeleteWill remember that, place I always wanted to go. Dusk is a beautiful time to be at such a place..
ReplyDeleteThe shots of the beach and rocks near the sea has come very well. Having been there myself, I have enjoyed the place. I have voted for you at blogger choice.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tour! It was great seeing your area of the world.
ReplyDeleteHi Mitr-Friend!
ReplyDeleteOne day I'll see Juju Beach myself... ;)
Meanwhile Blogtrotter is back to the «urban jungle», which Reykjavik is far from being... ;)). But that was in August 2008; I'm one year late in posting... ;))
Enjoy and have a fabulous week!
@Capt,
ReplyDeleteOf course, Mumbai never sleeps. Glad to have brought back some memories of your early trips 20 years back! :)
@Sow,
Oh Sow, I'll convey the message to him on your wedding day.. :)
@Diane,
Definetely Diane. Beaches are lovelier at nights than at days... :)
@Phivos,
U r welcome dear... :)
@Sujay,
Very true indeed. Both Dawn and Dusk and after I went there at midnight, I include midnight too.. :)
@Rajesh,
Thanks dear. And Thanks a ton for the vote too.. :)
@The Retired One,
My pleasure dear... :)
@GMG,
Oh sure. U r more than welcome to visit India. Now that u r back, I'm awaiting the rest of the posts on Iceland. :)
romba nice inga.... :)
ReplyDeleteKoOL looking pictures! Could you see these places on the high tide day?
ReplyDeleteLovely pics and I really wondered about ice gola..
ReplyDelete@Krish,
ReplyDeleteThanks dear.. :) Long time no C... Enga poninga...???!!!!!
@Kcalpesh,
Thank you.
Yes of course, U can very much see this place on a high tide day unlike Haji Ali which gets covered by water completely. Queens Necklace is one of the major roads in Mumbai and is buzzing with traffic 24x7.
@Turquoise Diaries,
Thank you.
By the time, the ice gola is finished, the mouth just feels nothing but numb... :) Still, its appetizing... :)
Marine drive has always remaines as romantic as ever...some lovely pics there!
ReplyDeleteHi Flying Stars,
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by and commenting. Do drop in often. Would love your frequent visits and comments and followups.
thanks for taking me to Queen’s Necklace aka Marine Drive. I had fun reading. Thanks
ReplyDeleteHey Babypose,
ReplyDeleteIts my pleasure to take you to Queens Necklace. Glad you liked my post. Thanks for dropping by again and commenting. Do drop in often.. :)
At midnight going to the BEACH
ReplyDeletethats fantastic ^___^
I love all your shots,
they are Amazing !!
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to visit your blog. You have some interesting photographs of your travels and your sketching is excellent.
ReplyDeleteRegards
Hi Anya,
ReplyDeleteIt was great fun to see the black waves bordered with white creamy lather. Loved that trip.
Hi Roy,
Are you kidding. I am so glad and happy about your visit to my blog. Thanks for dropping by and commenting. So glad that you like my pics and sketches.
Do drop in often dear. WOuld love your visits, comments and followups.
Hi Bhusha
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great reunion at Mumbai. Marine Drive/Queens Necklace is a charmimg place especially at night.Did you happen to look down at Marine Drive from the top of Malabar Hill/Hanging Gardens ? Your Juhu jaunt was fab.I liked the pic of your group lapping up the colorful juicy ice golas at night. You all certainly painted Mumbai red !
Ram
Vaibhav Says: You are a great writer or a good blogger. You should try your hand at writing for publications or nature houses.You will do well. The detail and words used in this blog make you stick to it and read it. Good one.
ReplyDeleteHi Ramakrishnan Sir,
ReplyDeleteIt was not a re union. It was something like a farewell. We parted after this meet.
No... Couldn't get the chance to see how the necklace looks like actually... So sad.. :(
Thanks Sir.
Hey Mamta Vaibhav,
Glad u liked our hostel spl in my blog. I loved that day with u guys..
Thanks a lot for dropping by and commenting.. Writing in publications is something I've given a thought of.
Hi Lalchnad,
Thanks for this piece of info. :)
What a joyous adventure in the city of dreams. Truly enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteSlow and Beautiful — Snail
Hi Bhavesh,
ReplyDeleteThanks dear.. :)
I am also in love with beaches,i have never visited a beach such late would like to see how it goes sometime in the future.
ReplyDeleteI have a doubt you said that your hostel doesn't allow you go out after 10 pm but how come they allow you in after 1 am funny rule. A person can get out at 9 hrs.59 min.59 sec pm and return whenever they want. This loop hole needs to be shut.
@Venky,
ReplyDeleteVisitng beach at dead night, is a must atleast once in lifetime.
Mumbai is like that... It has a great night life... And its way too crowded than Chennai... Getting held in traffic jam for 2 hrs is usual.. So travelling time + Night life = Late return...
And many come back after work and change to party wear and then leave to disco or clubs or dinner or date.. To accomodate all these is this timigs.
Moreover it's a working women hostel. They are mature enough to handle themselves. And also they have several commintements at work place.. School/college hostels are not like this.. :)
Very very nice post, very inspiring story and pictures...Best wishes to your friend who's getting married and good luck on your new job.
ReplyDeleteYou gave me a good idea of what to do tomorrow night (Friday here) I will take my girlfriend, who's been my wife, for a long time, to the beach
Hey Baron,
ReplyDeleteThanks dear.. Thanks for the comment also and the wishes also.. Your wife is lucky I guess.. :) Enjoy and convey my 'Hi' to her... :)
I understand that ma. But why that 10 pm restriction take that off too.
ReplyDeleteHi Greetings:)
ReplyDeleteI have been trying to vote for you for a long time but when I type my email ID and pass word nothing is happening. I tried several times. I don't know what is the problem. I'll keep trying till my vote goes through.
Your visit to Bombay beach and the excellent narration is extremely good. This is a very interesting post. You were supposed to return to your room by 10pm but you came back only at 1am and I suppose the care taker did not complain because it was a special occasion.
Your photos are wonderful and captures the special moments very beautifully.
When I was posted in Goa I used to go to Bombay by ship for official meetings. It took almost 24 hours by sea. I remember going to Chawpatty beach in the night and having small colorful ice creams of different flavors. Well, that was long, long time ago.
Have a nice day, my friend:)
Joseph
@Venky,
ReplyDeleteMay be they are trying to protect us to some extent atleast... Who knows... :P
@Joseph,
Thanks Sir, for trying to vote. Hopw ur vote would get thru..
No No. We weren;t supposed to return by 10. We were supposed to get out by 10. After 10 going out is not allowed. Late night return allows us to return back by 1. But that is recorded. Only 4 or 5 late night returns are allowes per month.
Normal return time is till 11 only.
Thanks for the beautiful remembrance of your voyages.. :)
@Kamini,
Hi Kamini. Welcome to my blog... Thanks for dropping by and do drop in often.. Would love your visits and comments and followups.. :)
Mitr, you have a lovely blog.
ReplyDeleteP.S : thanks for dropping by at my blog and for the comments.
Hi Alok,
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by and Welcome to my blog.. :) Do drop in often.. :)
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh
ReplyDeleteithu than marine drive ingalaaaaaaaaaa
seri seri...............
nan poi pakarennnnnnnnnnnnn........
ihiihihihi
Sounds like a delightful evening on Juhu Beach with girlfriends, wonderful group photo of all of you! :)
ReplyDelete@Rats,
ReplyDeleteIdhudhan Marine Drive... Ivlo naala theriyaadha... Po po poi paru... Lolz... :D
@Oz,
Very true... It was a great time...
Welcome to my blog and thanks for coming and commenting... Do drop in often.. :)
I'm craving for Bombay now :( We are quite close to her, though.
ReplyDeleteThanks for directing me here.
Joy always,
Susan
@Susan,
ReplyDeleteYou're pretty close to Mademoiselle Mumbai now! You should visit her often! :)