… collecting good advices for Mumbai

basel

I am still planning our India-Wedding-trip. According all ceremonies we are invited, we will spend a few days in Mumbai. During the day we still have time for a little bit sightseeing and adventure. But as we are travelling a few times in India before, we already do know a few things.

We visited Mahalaxmi-Laundry, the Taj, Gateway of India (in construction), Victoria Train Station… What else could we do? We stay in Colaba.

For the last day we planned visiting the Elephant Caves.

What else could we do – what else will be unforgettable for us?

Thank you for all great advices!

rajered

Prince of Wales Museum
Jehangir Art Gallery
Chowpatty Beach
Hanging Garden
Kamala Nehru Park
Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Mahalaxmi Temple
Haji Ali Dargah

machadinha

Walk to either Churchgate or VT (CST) station, or both, from Colaba. See Mumbai minus the tourism. Get lost wherever along the route you feel like.

(I'm not kidding either. Depending on your wishes, it offers a very nice view of -- a part of -- city life, and again within easy reach from Colaba. Both are about a 15-mins. walk from there if you press on I'd say, the one to the west, the other to the east/straight on. Not 30 for sure. There are buses and cabs along the way should you get tired.) (From an earlier trip btw., press on to the market areas from here -- Crawford Market, Chor Bazaar (Thieves' Market), etc. Likewise nice; you'd probably want to catch a cab or bus at least to get there or back, they're not so nearby. In the current weather, both ways I'd say!)

nb That area along the route between the three is renowned for its art galleries, modern and classical, I believe, if it's your thing; it isn't mine, so can't tell you much about it. Pick up a copy of TimeOut Mumbai (widely available at newspaper sellers) to see what's on. Will give you the latest on cultural affairs and stuff while you're at it (apart from cultural listings, trendy bars, restaurants, not necessarily costly either, you name it).

And nnb conversely, move towards Colaba Market just south of the Colaba touristy area. It's a stone's throw away, but a different world. Further south here lies Sassoon Dock, a fishermen's dock and community and a slum at that; may look intimidating, but people are most welcoming (perhaps not visit in the middle of the night, I'd be surprised if it would lead to real trouble though). When unsure, just talk to some people, and they will make you feel welcome. Or if not, retrace your steps like the wise person you are I suppose.

Costs of any of this: Absolutely zilch (save for any gallery entrance fees -- some are free I think --, and plenty a cup of chai, whether shared with your newly-found friends or not, of course).

nnnb A Mumbai friend wasn't sure, but thought there exists a day bus ticket now, to be bought from any bus conductor, just ask them for it. I know it exists in a number of big cities now. It costs just peanuts (25 Rs. or so I think), and allows you a day's travel on the bus network; as Steven_Ber remarked to me, would be fun to spend half a day getting out of town, then seeing if you can thread your way back! --> haven't tried it yet; should have really. Next time! Ah, always so much to do

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theyyamdancer

Excellent advice there. I remember getting lost on a walk from Colaba to Churchgate. All part of the fun of Mumbai! Also you can stroll along the seafront and admire the views. Go inside the 1930s style Art Deco hotel Marine Plaza on Marine Drive (stepping confidently as though you belong there) and take the lift up to the terrace to admire the view over the entire area.

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richieboycrazy

hey firstly if i didnt see when r u visiting mumbai .....loads of things too do in mumbai a lot has been already mentioned however ....some class acts in mumbai....

1 visit dharavi acers of slums...somthing that u ll never see anyweher in the world

2 night life in mumbai preety happning if you knw the right people and places

3 people dont mnetion much about this but bandra is a nice place to hang out and shop

4 near by hill stations lonavala and khandala preety decent during monsoons

last but not the least

I am in mumbai and if u havent met me you havent seen mumbai lololol

i could be you escort for few dollers and food hahahaha

anyways i am traveller and have travelled all acroos


let me know if you need any other info
cheers

rajered

Also try Colaba Causeway. Lots of shops around to do window shopping

machadinha

LOL. One would assume the return visitor to Colaba would know this is where the tourist shops and hotels and accompanying hassle are though. Hardly an extraordinary highlight to most (it may arguably be to many others)

Again, you can get all that minus the hassle and the tackiness if you just walk away from it in most any direction. Why visitors gravitate around here remains something of a mystery; but then I guess they do so around such areas most anywhere in the world. (It was asserted here again recently for instance that the [in-] famous Leopold's Cafe cum backpacker's hang-out here is the "only place to get a cold beer." That's just nonsense of course, not just in this area, but across town you'll find much more reasonable and that much more amicable or interesting places to sit down in without much effort. Again, all a question of taste no doubt. And budget.)

btw A tip: Walking along the opposite side of Colaba Causeway (or in this area; it's much longer than that really), so where the stalls aren't (the right side coming from Regal Circle), can be remarkably relaxed, both in terms of being able to walk along, and of being barely hassled when you do. Sit down in the long-running Olympia Coffee House for instance while you do; a little meat-heavy (it's a Muslim place, Gujarati to be precise), I've always found this a wonderful place for a coffee and a snack or meal to suit any diet.

machadinha

nb

Indeed; a reputed outfit to arrange tours here is Reality Tours & Travel, http://realitytoursandtravel.com/ . Haven't done it, but it's been recommended to me. People may feel differently about the concept, so make up your own minds; what I hear is photography is strictly forbidden and parts of the proceeds go to a Dharavi-based NGO.

True; I was here to visit an IndiaMike meeting that never happened; had I not been a little pieved with that, it looked like an attractive area to explore indeed, with plenty of nightlife to suit a variety (if probably mostly slightly more upmarket) of pockets I suspect. I met some foreigners who lived here and seemed to enjoy themselves, and who said there were very few tourists to be seen here. A stroll along the beach here is certainly a nice extra.

basel

I think I will try this: south here lies Sassoon Dock, a fishermen's dock and community and a slum at that.... I am as wise as I have to be (I think) For the nightlife I don't have to worry - the wedding will fill our schedule... Thank you so far!

basel

thank you for all those advices. I think maybe I will try also: http://realitytoursandtravel.com/


THANK YOU VERY MUCH

basel

Do we have to feel bad "visiting" dharavi slum?

rajered

If you have seen Slumdog Millionaire you have seen how it may look like.

AwayFromHome

Depends.

If that's your cup of tea, enjoy it.

I personally don't find anything enchanting about visiting poor people in dire straits.

To some foreighners, though, it opens up a window through which they witness life experiences they would never have an opportunity to.

It really is up to you.

Whatever you decide, have fun!

namaste_cat

You don't have to feel anything but what comes from your heart:>
As a well-off Indian there was plenty of guilt I had been carrying around even without visiting any slums. Being a regular middle-class person in the U.S. has been an antidote!

Since you've done a lot of the touristy things, I especially like machadinha's suggestions. I say this as an ex-Mumbaika who lived pretty much in the area theyyamdancer mentioned (love Marine Drive!) and made the trek to Churchgate and Colaba by foot. I love the architecture around those areas.

basel

I realy have a problem with the idea visiting a slum. I can't imagine and I think I wouldn't know how to act and move...
But anyway, in India sometimes I feel bad just because I am European and because I have the possibility to travel...


Probabely when you life in India you can "kind of handle" with all this problems.

But www.realitytours.in offers some good things.
Sassoon Dock for sure will be a choice.
And we will do Colaba - Churgate