Clinkers in India

Clinkers in India
© Sue Clinker - photo taken on our visit to Jaipur 2014

Thursday 3 March 2016

Thursday morning ... change of plan

We'd planned to walk to the 'Gateway of India' this morning then catch a ferry to Elephanta Island (about 70 minutes) as its 30 years since I last visited and I wanted David to see the place.   The island has a series of rock cut temples devoted to the god Shiva but there are numerous wide steps leading to the caves and there are lots of artists selling pictures and carvings which are quite interesting.

Anyway, David is finding the pace a bit tough (bless) and the weather forecast threatened a heatwave of up to 37 degrees today so we agreed to skip Elephanta and have an extra hour of sleep and more leisurely morning.

We walked to Churchgate station in time to watch the Dabbawallas working between 11.30 and noon ... but I took so many photos that will have to be a separate post.  

A few pictures from our morning walk (excluding Dabbawallas)

Our Hotel is at one end of Marine Walk and would have great views over the bay but the weather has been very hazy most days because of the heat, and probably increased pollution.   The promenade has a low wall along its length which is very popular with courting couples, families and people just wanting to chill out for a while

But no matter how 'chilled' you are, don't let go of your valuables!


its popular with four legged locals also.    These slum dogs are wearing collars and look quite fit and healthy so I think people are looking out for them.  You can just about make out the buildings on the other side of the Bay through the haze


These are everywhere in Mumbai ... big beasties


and very opportunistic


More kids wanting their photo taken!



and a few sights that amused me as we walked towards the railway station

The mind boggles!


Live pasta?   that's as opposed to Dead pasta I guess?


 To curry favour with the Gods (pardon the pun) Indian folk like to feed the (sacred) cows and this owner very kindly sells cow fodder to passing Indians who then feed her cows ... nice little earner methinks!


and the cows seem to be doing very well!





Me making friends with a 'local'



We then decided to take a taxi to the Gateway of India.   I spotted this very old taxi which David reckons is a Fiat from the late 1960s and after a bit of haggling we set off.    Considering it was so old, the Taxi seemed to be in full working order and got us there safely.  They do manage to keep old vehicles running forever out here ... David has been happily snapping away at buses (double and single decker) for the last couple of days.






and here it is ... the Gateway to India

Since the terrorist attacks in 2008 security has been heightened at most tourist spots.   There is a police cordon around the entrance to the Gateway which actually makes it more pleasant for tourists.   I remember when I used to visit Mumbai 30 years ago it wasn't possible to walk anywhere near this monument without getting mobbed by beggars and touts - apart from the photographers/postcard sellers none of these are allowed into the area now





Bl**dy pigeons everywhere .. there's lots of food put out for them for some reason.  Just look at this nearby tree


and this is the famous Taj Mahal hotel which was also one of the targets during the Terrorist attack ... this is how I remember it from my previous visits



Such an elegant building ... but now they've tacked on this tower block extension.   Such a shame



2 comments:

  1. Very intrigued by the "live" pasta, this needs further investigation I feel! The hotel looks stunning, shame about the carbuncle on the side.

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  2. We did consider staying at the Taj ... the new 'wing' is about the same price as we're paying in the Oberoi but the older building has really hiked its prices up (probably as a result of the TV series filmed there a couple of years back). I'd planned to go there for afternoon tea as they have a lovely teashop area overlooking the Gateway .... but David opted for a cold beer as it was soooo hot out!

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