Madamoiselle Mumbai as I fondly call Mumbai or Bombay. I've lived a few months in Mumbai and its one of the cities I love the most esp for the people who are so kind hearted! I've explored a bit, (not extensively) of Mumbai and here's what I feel are the Top 5 things for the traveler; the un-tourist; the explorer!
1. Shhh... Secret Beaches of Mumbai: Yes, there is the famous Juhu beach or Marine drive where the entire Mumbai descends on every weekend and the sand becomes almost clay-ish and filled with litter. The best way is to escape to lesser known beaches which are pristine, filled with sand and shells and clear sea!!! There is Manori beach and Gorai beach close to Borivali station. Then there are a series of beaches in a line - Erangal, Madh and Aksa. These 3 are beaches of piece of land separated from mainland by backwaters. Absolutely serene and peaceful places.
2. Explore Kanheri & Elephanta Caves: A long weekend getaway from Mumbai would take you to Ajanta and Ellora Caves which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. However within or very close to the city are Kanheri & Elephanta that can be visited within day. Kanheri Caves is located within Sanjay Gandhi National Park and are Buddhist caves. There are 109 caves in a vast area of several hectares and regular tourists and locals reach only till about 10 caves. Reach early, walk about and explore the entire terrain! Elephanta Caves (under UNESCO) is a Hindu cave, in an island to be reached only via a ferry from Gateway of India. Enjoy the sculptural marvels and enormity in both caves, and also frescoes in Kanheri.
3. Explore the Forts of Mumbai: Somehow whole of Mumbai is littered with forts everywhere, mostly built by Portuguese. Its just amazing. Its all nested in the midst of the cosmopolitan life, between sky scrapers, tucked away and protected. Yeah, most of these places also serve as kids playground and lovers haven! If you take the Harbour line of local train, at every railway station, there are 1 or 2 forts - CST, Bandra, Mahim, Madh, Sion, Sewri, Worli, Andheri, Borivali and Vasai....
4. Eat Vada Pav & Chaat in roadside eateries: Eating in Mumbai cannot be over without Vadapav. There have been several days, when my lunch had been 2 vadapavs that I eat in train while commuting!!! Its our local version of burger, a half-split soft bun with fried potato balls between with a sauteed chilli. There are tons of varieties of Bombay Chaat available - with vegetables, with legumes, with yogurt, with chips and many many more, and most of them - healthy!
5. Feel the crowd: Finally, after exploring all the untrodden paths, Mumbai must be felt in all its glory with the people of Mumbai. Walk into Dadar station and travel by local train, visit Juhu beach or Marine Drive on a weekend evening. Its an experience, or rather an adventure by itself (no, I'm not exaggerating!). Here's a tip, do not wear precious jewelry or carry too much cash when you do this; and women, dress very very modestly......
Nice post :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I would love to visit Mumbai one day. I have a lot of friends that have visited that place and had a lot of great and interesting things to say. I would definitely keep these 5 things in mind whenever I visit. Thank you. :-)
ReplyDeleteI like the way you presented it - the un-tourist, the explorer. It's sometimes nice to blend in with the locals and see their daily activities.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful architecture! I'd love to visit Mumbai!
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice to visit Mumbai one day and check out the the places you mentioned. I can imagine being amongst the crowd with women wearing those beautiful saris.
ReplyDeleteI would probably enjoy looking at the caves and the forts the most. Those really entice me because it's a glimpse of what it was like in the past.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea that the forts serve as kids playground. I can so imagine it. What a beautiful picture!
ReplyDeleteIt would be exciting to see the hidden beaches and caves in Mumbai. The forts would also show you a lot of heritage of the place.
ReplyDeleteThe beach..secret no more..hehehehe...love the Elephanta caves...very solemn and I enjoy watching it here via pictures.
ReplyDeleteI'm a beach bum so the 'secret' beaches are something that I am dying to see. The road eateries have piqued my interest too - food always makes any travel experience complete.
ReplyDeleteIt been ages now that i have last visited Mumbai and things have pretty much changed but you still get the warmth of your own land.
ReplyDeleteI have been to Bombay few years ago, I it very different from my country. We visited some of the places that you mentioned. But I did not try the Vada Pav & Chaat at the roadside.
ReplyDeleteI won't dare to travel to Mumbai alone, but if I ever travel with a loved one, I will definitely put this into a must-do list!
ReplyDeleteHave not been to mumbai before so i don't really know what to expect there, thanks for giving me a glimpse of the place!
ReplyDeleteAh! Am from Mumbai - the Maximum City. Wherever I go in the world, that dauntless Mumbaikar feeling will always be there. How I loved your post :) and Vada-Pav - simply wow!!
ReplyDeleteIndia is in my bucket list. Now I know there are beautiful places in Mumbai. I should go there once I visit India.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to Mumbai but I have heard lots of beautiful things about it. If I ever get the chance to visit, I'll most certainly have to visit the caves. It looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteI am not sure I will be able to visit Mumbai. The second item on your list is really interesting to see. I did not even know Mumbai had a beach.
ReplyDeleteI hope to visit a lot of places like you someday. it's just so fulfilling to be able to see so many different places around the world ^^
ReplyDeleteVisited so many times to Mumbai but experienced only point 4 and 5 till now. :D
ReplyDeleteWow! You provided well information about Mumbai...I love to Spend time there and hangout...
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