MUMBAI – another small private tour with Mumbai Magic, organised by Joanne, which was fantastic – could write a book about today – we saw it all and smelt even more!! Drove through the slums and hard to believe that people survive living here in such squalor. First stop was the Gateway of India, a magnificent arch structure right on the waterfront (built to commemorate King George V’s visit in 1911). At the same spot we captured photos of the beautiful Taj Mahal Hotel – a spectacular place to stand and look around – then the heavens opened, we were unprepared and drenched!! We were taken underground to a railway station – omg – then to the small but beautifully presented museum dedicating the life of Ghandi. We drove along Marine Drive, a really nice stretch of sandy beach, walkway and some nice hotels but not for swimming – no way!! The Jain Temple was sweet smelling and so colourful, then we stopped for pictures at the “local laundry” – literally thousands of pieces of laundry washed (all in the same water), dried & ironed everyday and returned to their rightful home!! Our late lunch was delightful with “breads” to dip into many colourful and tasteful goodies. A modern building was pointed out to us – looked like layers of kids blocks piled one on top of each other – and were informed that a family of five lived there, with staff of 300!! With a population far bigger than Australia, what a day of extremes it was and although pretty horrendous in many places, we saw the bones of what it must have looked like when Colin’s parents were living here 60 years ago with the British Army - living quite a different lifestyle.
Photos above are: Gateway to India; Ghandi Museum; inside Jain Temple; laundry; our lunch; downtown Mumbai; a welcome beer for Colin & Garry; girls in their Indian garb; and Neil serving Colin dessert
No comments:
Post a Comment