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Published: February 29th 2012
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Our journey to Mumbai was a little easier than many that had gone before as we flew directly there from Varanasi. As we landed, the bright lights of Mumbai's cityscape came into view confirming that this megalopolis was not going to be like any of the Indian cities we had visited previously. We jumped into our iconic yellow and black Premier taxi and enjoyed the ride south through the city gawping at the skyscrapers, hotels, hospitals and seemingly flowing traffic network. The city further delighted us when we arrived at our hotel in Ballard Pier, expecting an overpriced, basic, perhaps dingy hotel room, when in fact we found ourselves in a fantastically modern enormous suite, complete with a glass shower cubicle (haven't seen one of these for a while) and a flat screen TV with a DVD player and surround sound.
Unfortunately, things took a downward turn when Cel's tum refused to let her leave the room for 2 of the 3 days we had to see the city. Jonny managed to amuse himself by trying numerous Mumbai cafes and getting a haircut and head massage, although he was a little confused when the barber poked a finger in
Mumbai
The Taj his ear.
With less than 24 hours to catch our next flight we still needed to buy outfits for a Goan wedding, pick up some Christmas presents and see some sights. Our shopping spree on Linking Road went surprisingly well with Cel buying 2 dresses in the first half hour and we quickly had all we needed and a little bit more. We even had time to treat ourselves to a few luxurious spa treatments to ease our tired feet, before hitting Marine Drive for people watching and pizza.
We weren't finished spoiling ourselves, so the next morning before catching our flight we headed to the Gateway of India and then popped into the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel for a very expensive breakfast.
We were warmly greeted on arrival to Goa by Cel's family who wasted no time ferrying us to the nearest beach to dip our toes in the Arabian Sea and to tuck into some delicious cheese naan. The first few days flew by with Jonny experiencing his first big fat Goan wedding, a day for someone to recover from a stinking hangover, trips to Old Goa and Panjim, the state capital,
Mumbai
Gateway of India- built in 1911 to commemorate George V visit to Bombay and two trips to the cinema on consecutive days. We also visited Sheryl at her work place, home to the latest collection of one of the top fashion designers in India.
Before we knew it, it was Christmas day and we found ourselves sitting through a 3 hour midnight mass, of which we couldn't understand a word because it was all in Konkani. We had made a pact not to buy each other Christmas presents, but Cel broke this when she stopped off at the local corner shop to get some goodies, including a Kinder Egg, coco-pops and a bottle of Fanta on her way back from her second mass of the day, this one in English! Thankfully the presents we unwrapped from Cel's mum were a lot less last minute and opening them felt like being back home, as did the delicious roast chicken we enjoyed at Aunty Yvette's house. We also embraced a long post-Christmas-lunch snooze, something you are never allowed to get away with in the Goes household.
Most of the time between Christmas and New Year was spent hitting Goa's southern beaches surfing the waves, and being crammed like sardines into the local hot
Mumbai
Eggs bendict at the Taj and sweaty buses. On New Year's Eve we had a great barbecue with all the cousins, a little strange given that the night is usually a cold and icy affair at home. Then on New Year's day we said goodbye to all the family and headed to Cavelossim to meet Yvonne and Wilfred at their hotel. Although they we happy to see us, the staff at the hotel seemed less keen to welcome us, perhaps something to do with our dirty backpacks and sweaty appearance which didn't seem to fit in with the general atmosphere of the hotel. Over the next few days we had lots of fun with the gang enjoying some good food, classic drinking games and some amusing dance floor antics. We also randomly met a couple who are thinking of moving to Bristol, and we had a great night out with them, sloshing cocktails and cashew fenny.
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Antonetta fernandes
non-member comment
GOA
Hey Jonny & Celina Great photos and the Cashew fenny was potent & you guys were washed out on it!!hahaha Cel you looked lovely in the dress on the wedding day and Sheryl looked lovely to as a bridesmaid You both are surely experience some stuff and good on you 2 a trip of a life time that u both are doing Enjoy Vietnam and enjoy time with your parents Cel Love Antz xx