Mumbai

Mumbai (formerly Bombay) is infact the largest city according to proper size in the world with a population of 13 million but is ranked fifth in terms of metropolitan area with 19 million. The difference between fifth and second place is rather slim but it'll be a long time before it can displace the Tokyo area with it's 32 million people. Judging from our 25km, two hour ride from the airport area where we're staying at into the city, it did seem like all 13 million were on the road in front of us.

The city of Mumbai is a peninsula that was formed when the British connected multiple islands into one landmass and it thus provides little options when it comes to driving into the southern region. As with any other part of India, the poverty was inescapable and it's difficult to describe to others who haven't seen it. We originally thought of joining a slum tour to see how the challenges are met and people survive but decided against. http://realitytoursandtravel.com/slumtours.html

On the flip side, Mumbai is also the wealthiest city in the Subcontinent and one India industrialist is building a $2 billion dollar home which consists of a 27 story building for his family of six and staff of 600.


Once in South Mumbai, we met our friend Pawan at the city's grandest hotel, the historic Taj Palace which was built in 1903. It's set on the east side of the waterfront and adjacent to The Gateway to India. After an enjoyable lunch in one of the Taj's restaurants and masala tea afterwards, we set off for a quick drive around the colonial buildings of South Mumbai. There isn't an enormous amount to see but that part of town is entirely functional and spared us the inconveniences we endured elsewhere in India.


Before we headed to Pawan's house, we stopped by Dhobi Ghat which is a massive place to wash laundry. It's impressive at the size of football field and unfortunately since it was raining, we didn't see much laundry drying as that is the most beautiful part.

The last stop before Pawan's house was to visit one of his father's businesses, which is a clothing shop. Shauna found a pink sari and had to try it on.


Our evening kicked off with drinks at Pawan's friends house on the waterfront of the harbor. It had a very beautiful view and we felt very fortunate for his gracious friend to invite us for a visit of drinks and good conversation.

The latter part of the evening shifted to drinks with Pawan and his father at their local club which is a Victorian era former British officer's club. The club has held onto it's heritage and had on the walls many photos of colonial officers playing polo, rugby, etc.... in central Mumbai. Ryan loved it and felt that it's the ideal setting for a pub, similar to another favorite of his which is also a former British officers club in Cairo, the Barrel Bar.

To finish off the evening, we took a break from Indian food with a wonderful Italian meal and then finished off with rooftop drinks along the waterfront that had us wondering if we were in Miami or Mumbai.


Returning at 3am to our hotel, it certainly means the following day will be spent relaxing while we wait for our flight at 2am to Johannesburg.