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Yeh hai bambai nagariya
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| Sone chandi ki dagariya |
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I get to see a lot of places just because they are there. In a rather austere sequence of events, I landed up right upon
Marine Drive, the most expensive real estate in India.
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| Hotel Incredible. Right upon marine drive. Rs 2K/day. Cleanse ears. |
I have been to Mumbai before, cramped in a budget hotel near CST. This time I browsed through and found Bentley's looking right over Arabian sea. And for three more days, I sat down on the railing of marine drive and observed every tone, mood and texture of the sea, day in and day out.
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| The marine mix |
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| Ultramarine drive |
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| Queen's necklace |
Looking across, there is the Churchgate crossing, with the ancient Eros cinema hall, Bombay Stock exchange and Clock tower on one side.
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Of course, the most impressive is Churchgate station itself ...
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| ... the terminal of a route that carries more than 7 million per day |
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The building on the left was which drew my attention. Bombay to Thane was the first railways in India (courtesy Lord Dalhousie), and I was looking at the foundation of Indian Railways, now the Western Rail HQ
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| Western Railway HQ |
Of course, the familiar charms of Bombay draw you near, especially if there is a terrorist attack looming
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| One of the many gateways of India |
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| Just to make it more gate like |
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| Why do you think the aforesaid highnesses needed such a large gate to pass? |
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| Wah taj |
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| What is this building supposed to be? |
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| Missed the boat to elephanta |
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| Another gateway (Naah, just photoshopped) |
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| Hitchcockian |
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| Bards eye view |
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| Taj again |
Moving across to Colaba causeway, Bombay life was in full throttle. A mix of half the races known to mankind could rightly be seen on this street.
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| Colaba Causeway I |
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| Colaba causeway II |
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| Colaba causeway III |
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| Remember 'Shantaram' |
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| No particular shop in Colaba causeway |
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| Curiocity |
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| Yeah yeah,coming |
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| Remember 'Shantaram' |
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| And 26-11 |
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| Inside Leopold |
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| Life on the fast track |
If you are looking for more ancient things, this Mosque from the middle ages will surely draw your attention. It is situated mid sea, with a thin strip of cement connecting it to land. When the bridge goes underwater in a high tide, the floating mosque is a sight to behold.
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| Haji Ali ... |
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| ... how a mosque was build in mid sea ... |
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| ... and survives till today ... |
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| ... is an architectural austerity (that rhymes) |
That night I was offered a magestic view
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| Moonrise at marine drive |
I almost forgot the conference I went to attend. Bombay hospital is a nice venue, and I was especially impressed with this guy, even though I can't readily pronounce him.
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| Zbigniew Rudzki ( I dare you) speaking on lymphomas. |
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| Inquisition at the conference. |
Last day. I took time out to Mumbai suburban railways and Juhu.
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| The only beach in Mumbai fit for a bath |
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| Does every rail station in Mumbai look like this? |
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Time to go.
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| A last look. |
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| Erstwhile victoria terminal ... |
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| An UNESCO heritage site |
My cherished moments at marine drive
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| The quick and the rest |
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| Aquamarine drive |
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| Marinated |
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