We again visited Mumbai, the city where we lived for more than 20 years during my posting there in ONGC. We lived in Panvel, a town falling on the Mumbai-Pune highway about 50 kilometers from Mumbai. We left the place on my transfer to Dehradun. Our children grew and got educated while we were there. As everyone knows no city in India is like Mumbai. It is always active, seldom goes to sleep, people seem to be in a great hurry and belong to every strata from billionaires to beggars. There is never any fear in the night like North Indian cities. In fact, more night bus services operate in the night time than in the day time.
South Mumbai is the real city built by British. From Dadar towards South Mumbai is the old and beautiful city. It flaunts all its wealthiness and majestic building and highrises. Old time buildings still display all the glory.
From Victoria Terminus Station, renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, we went towards Gateway of India in a cab. On the way, we passed on the D.N.Road, Flora Fountain aka Hutatma Chowk. There are book sellers in their makeshift stalls and piles of second hand books in the triangular space near Fountain.
A short distance ahead is Kala Ghoda and Prince of Wales Museum which now has been renamed after Shivaji the great Maratha king. After that one can see the Police Headquarters. Just after that is Gateway of India. The structure was erected to commemorate the landing of their Majesties King George V and Queen Mary at Apollo Bunder, when they visited India in 1911.
These days the ground in front is cordoned off. This has been done to tighten the safety as terrorist attacks especially on the Taj Mahal hotel opposite have taken place and shattered the peace in the area in the past.
People take pictures in front of the structure. There are always big crowds. There is a ferry landing and pleasure ferries are available here to have a visit in the Arabian sea and from there see the majestic sky line and buildings of Bombay and Colaba. Boats are also available for famous Elephants caves located on the island.
Nearby is the Colaba market where one can buy all the fancy items. Foreigners are seen in plenty here. The famous Leopold Cafe is also located here. It was here in this small eatery the terrorists killed many innocent people in Mumbai attacks.
We took a taxi to Marine Drive and reached the Nariman Point End. From the esplanade, one can see the Arabian sea in its glory. The Sun set is very beautiful .A strong breeze blows. There are people sitting on the boundary and on the tetrapods. With the setting in of the evening whole area lits up. There are lights on the opposite side in the area called hanging gardens.
We sat there till evening. Took a taxi back and reached Victoria Station again and caught the train to Vashi back.
