Having a good time in Bombay or
Mumbai is fairly easy simply because
Mumbai has much to offer. Nor is
there a major obstacle to find your
way around. English is widely used
and even an average man in the street
can speak and understand well enough
to guide you. Some areas that are
an experience must include --
Marine Drive - Eulogized by Bollywood,
Marine Drive caresses the Sea from
Nariman Point to the foot of Malabar
Hill. Passing Chowpatty Beach, Marine
Drive is also known as the Queen
's Collier. One of the busiest roads
in Mumbai, it is also one of the
breeziest because of its proximity
to the sea
Chowpatty Beach - Come August /
September, Chowpatty Beach comes
alive as the devout Hindu population
of Mumbai is thronging its sands
to immerse their larger than life
idols of Ganesha and incur its blessings.
On all other Chowpatty regular evening
that the man has to eat and play.
A gourmet paradise bhelpuri, a tasty
puffed rice based snack with loads
of onions, coriander, a mixture
of sweet spices, topped with tamarind
sauce and sour, chuski ice balls
dipped in syrup, Pao bhaji buns
butter served with a potato dish
or spicy chutney sandwiches. Chowpatty
is an experience not to be missed.
Hanging Gardens - Also known as
Ferozeshah Mehta Gardens, they are
built over 3 tanks, which store
billions of gallons of water for
cleaning before being pumped to
the thirsty city of Mumbai.
Colaba - The center of tourist
activity in Mumbai, Colaba, is known
for its street stalls, cafes and
kitsch atmosphere. Colaba, is also
home to the most pocket-friendly
guesthouses and economy hotels.
Fort - The Fort area in Mumbai-
is a block with old Victorian Gothic
buildings. An important financial
and commercial centre this area
is always full of activity. The
BSE or the Bombay stock exchange
on Dalal Street is also located
in this zone. Avoid Fort between
9.00 - 6.30 pm 10.00 - 8.00 pm when
the office of the movement is at
its peak.
Crawford Market - With a 50-foot-high
sky-lit canopy, Crawford market
is the ideal place to shop for a
wide variety of fruits, vegetables
and meat. It is famous for the frieze
just above its main entrance which
was designed by Lockyard Kipling
father of the famous author Rudyard
Kipling. It portrays the rural Indian
farmer in the middle of wheat fields.
The building is a mixture of Flemish
and Norman architecture. Named after
Arthur Crawford, the first municipal
commissioner of Bombay, the building,
which was completed in 1869, was
donated by Cowasji Jahangir.
