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Published: October 6th 2009
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All packed upWe get to Mumbai fine (great to get an upgrade and Dee was pleased to eat his first pie of the trip, a breakfast veg curry pie!). We find the pre-paid taxi booth. We decide to go for a non AC taxi. We step outside the airport, the heat and humidity hits us and we are instantly drenched with sweat. Should have gone for the AC taxi! The taxi was a skip on wheels and we had to hold on to each other to make sure we didn't fall out of the dodgy doors or rusty floor.
The sights and smells from the taxi were mindnumbing, we sat in silence, stunned by it all. Every vehicle on the road has an 'every man for himself' attitude and use the horn constantly. We saw heaps of litter, dirt and dust, wandering cows and goats, grubby children playing in dirt, western dressed teens with the most up to date mobile phones, packs of stray dogs, smartly dressed office workers, markets selling everything under the sun, tower blocks, flocks of fighting crows, acres of slums, crumbling buildings, depalidated cars and lorries, bikes, mopeds....you name it, we saw it.
Everyone talks about the
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Rude boy taxi smell of India but few describe it. Well......it's a cocktail of petrol fumes, rotting waste, insence, poo (all!), spices, flowers, wood fire smoke, fish, cooking rice and a bit more poo.
We arrive at Bentley's Hotel in the downtown area of Colaba. This is a bit of a backpackers institution and although a bit rundown, is in a leafy quiet side street and was a welcome relief. Thank goodness we booked a room with AC!!
We spend the next few days exploring the city. We see the Gateway of India (a port on the west wide of Colaba) and the fabulous Taj Mahal hotel (famous for being at the centre of the 2008 terrorits attacks). We visit the Central Station (to buy our onward train tickets to Goa) and to Chowpatty beach to see the littered beach and to see people washing in the dirty sea. We get lost trying to find the night baazars and eat some great street food (especially loving the freshly squeezed sugar cane juice!). We also found a few nice places to enjoy a cold Kingfisher or two.
The heavens opened up on Sat night for a mini monsoon so we just
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Goodbye UK got proper soaked. Not a pretty city in the rain so we decide to get outta town.
Although we've had a good few days in Mumbai, we can't say we like it here. The poverty is in-your-face and harrowing. It's sad to see so many lone children and families bedding down for the night on the bare pavement and the beggers are too much sometimes. This place is filthy, hectic, colourful, overcrowded and noisy. We are glad we've been but won't be back in a hurry.
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Brad Cheatham
non-member comment
Great to see you
Hey guys! Glad you made it there safe and sound and had your first "Indian Experience". I'm sure many more adventures await you on your journey!! Loved seeing the pics of you two... makes me realize how much I miss you both!!! Have Fun, Be Safe, and God Bless. Bx