Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Travelogue on - Mumbai

The Wallahs of Mumbai - Fact file, Information of How to reach, what to do etc etc.

Mumbai ( Bombay), situated on the India's west coast, is the nation's most affluent and cosmopolitan city. It is also film capital of India, with Bollywood spectacles churning out at dizzying speeds, and theaters crammed with eager fans. It is served by a network of domestic and international airlines, as well as two large railway terminal stations with train connections across the sub-continent.

City sights vary from gazing down from Malabar Hill at the Queen's Necklace - the lights of Marine Drive which bracelet the Arabian Sea, discovering the topiary of the Hanging Gardens (Malabar Hill), visiting the world class Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangralaya Museum (more popularly known as the Prince of Wales Museum) in Colaba, or the nearby Jehangir Art Gallery, strolling Juhu Beach after sundown, people watching at the Gateway of India, shopping for Indian handicrafts in the Colaba area, hunting down bargains in the narrow lanes off the Crawford Market area and Zaveri Bazar (jewelery) and visiting the Elephanta Caves by boat. These run from the Gateway of India on a regular basis - shop around for the best rates at nearby ticket booths.

Mumbai, the "Big Mango" of India offers hotels that run the gamut from opulent to humble - and the same applies to its abundance and variety of restaurants - catering to the "bling" wearing socialite set, as well as ordinary Mumbai-ites who enjoy scarfing down sidewalk food at various Khau Gullies (Food Lanes) which are tucked away in several areas of the city.

Upscale hotels: For atmosphere and old world charm choose the old Taj Mahal Hotel (not the newer addition). For fabulous views across the Arabian Sea check out the luxurious Oberoi Towers at Nariman Point. Also for the affluent traveler: Hotel Marine Plaza (Churchgate) J.W. Marriott (Juhu Beach), Leela Kempinski and The Orchid near Sahar Airport. Less glitzy but comfortable are The Astoria and Ambassador Hotels (Churchate, and Garden Hotel (Colaba). Budget accommodation: The Colaba branch of the YMCA, or the International YMCA in Bombay Central. Both offer clean, air conditioned rooms with attached bathrooms, with buffet breakfast and dinner included in the tariff. Very reasonably priced - Google YMCA Bombay for details. Read full Mumbai Travel Guide

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