Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Tu dekh babua


Yeh hai bambai nagariya


Sone chandi ki dagariya


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.

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.


The marine mix

Ultramarine drive

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.
Of course, the most impressive is Churchgate station itself ...
... the terminal of a route that carries more than 7 million per day
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


Western Railway HQ
Of course, the familiar charms of Bombay draw you near, especially if there is a terrorist attack looming

One of the many gateways of India

Just to make it more gate like
Why do you think the aforesaid highnesses needed such a large gate to pass?

Wah taj

What is this building supposed to be?

Missed the boat to elephanta



Another gateway (Naah, just photoshopped)

Hitchcockian

Bards eye view

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.

Colaba Causeway I

Colaba causeway II

Colaba causeway III

Remember 'Shantaram'

No particular shop in Colaba causeway

Curiocity

Yeah yeah,coming


Remember 'Shantaram'

And 26-11

Inside Leopold

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.

Haji Ali ...

... how a mosque was build in mid sea ...

 ... and survives till today ...

... is an architectural austerity (that rhymes)
That night I was offered a magestic view

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.
Zbigniew Rudzki ( I dare you) speaking on lymphomas.
Inquisition at the conference.
Last day. I took time out to Mumbai suburban railways and Juhu.
The only beach in Mumbai fit for a bath




Does every rail station in Mumbai look like this?
Time to go.
A last look.

Erstwhile victoria terminal ...
An UNESCO heritage site
My cherished moments at marine drive

The quick and the rest

Aquamarine drive

Marinated

1 comment:

pranab said...

city of DON... this is the 1st thing came into my mind :)

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