Seaside sorties
There are nice walks to be taken, food to be eaten, and trains to be caught (if you dare)
Ajit Agarkar
29-Oct-2010
Local train travel in Mumbai is an adventure sport • Getty Images
Take a walk
I might be a bit partial towards south Mumbai, or "town" as it is called, because I have lived there, but do take a walk around the area. It is where the Wankhede Stadium is. Either side of the stadium makes for a lovely walk. As you head north, there's Girgaum Chowpatty, the famous beach. You could walk along the sea on Marine Drive. Then there is the Gateway of India, the Taj Mahal Hotel, the Fort area, Flora Fountain, and many other historical buildings. Or you could just sit by the sea.
I might be a bit partial towards south Mumbai, or "town" as it is called, because I have lived there, but do take a walk around the area. It is where the Wankhede Stadium is. Either side of the stadium makes for a lovely walk. As you head north, there's Girgaum Chowpatty, the famous beach. You could walk along the sea on Marine Drive. Then there is the Gateway of India, the Taj Mahal Hotel, the Fort area, Flora Fountain, and many other historical buildings. Or you could just sit by the sea.
Eat fish
Seafood is one thing you don't want to miss out on, in town or anywhere else in Mumbai. It's not for the calorie-conscious, though. I like to go to Trishna in Kala Ghoda. There are lots of other places too, depending on what you like. I like the Thai Pavilion at Vivanta by Taj President. There are smaller eateries too, which are just as good: Mahesh Lunch Home in Juhu and in South Mumbai, and Soul Fry in Bandra.
Seafood is one thing you don't want to miss out on, in town or anywhere else in Mumbai. It's not for the calorie-conscious, though. I like to go to Trishna in Kala Ghoda. There are lots of other places too, depending on what you like. I like the Thai Pavilion at Vivanta by Taj President. There are smaller eateries too, which are just as good: Mahesh Lunch Home in Juhu and in South Mumbai, and Soul Fry in Bandra.
Visit the maidans
If you are here for the cricket, you have to go see where the cricketers are bred: the famous maidans of Mumbai. Azad Maidan, Cross Maidan and Shivaji Park are the most famous ones. Almost all cricketers from Mumbai, and some from outside the city, start their cricket here. It's unique in the sense that you have about 20 pitches next to each other, a few metres apart, on one ground, with about 20 games going on at the same time.
If you are here for the cricket, you have to go see where the cricketers are bred: the famous maidans of Mumbai. Azad Maidan, Cross Maidan and Shivaji Park are the most famous ones. Almost all cricketers from Mumbai, and some from outside the city, start their cricket here. It's unique in the sense that you have about 20 pitches next to each other, a few metres apart, on one ground, with about 20 games going on at the same time.
Take a train
If you want to experience Mumbai, you have to take the local trains that connect the suburbs to the main business areas. If you are in a taxi, you will probably get a taste of Mumbai's notorious traffic, even if you travel just a couple of kilometres. However, a vast majority of Mumbai's working population takes the train. It's your quickest connection if you want to get to the suburbs. But don't try it during rush hour.
If you want to experience Mumbai, you have to take the local trains that connect the suburbs to the main business areas. If you are in a taxi, you will probably get a taste of Mumbai's notorious traffic, even if you travel just a couple of kilometres. However, a vast majority of Mumbai's working population takes the train. It's your quickest connection if you want to get to the suburbs. But don't try it during rush hour.
Bargain hunt in Chor Bazaar
If you like to shop, Mumbai is the place. You can get the cheapest and the most expensive stuff here. And the Chor Bazaar flea market is an experience in itself. Chor means "thief" in Hindi. Find somebody who knows the place, put your bargaining hat on, and go to this alternative shopping mall, which offers almost anything you can think of - and a lot that you can't as well!
If you like to shop, Mumbai is the place. You can get the cheapest and the most expensive stuff here. And the Chor Bazaar flea market is an experience in itself. Chor means "thief" in Hindi. Find somebody who knows the place, put your bargaining hat on, and go to this alternative shopping mall, which offers almost anything you can think of - and a lot that you can't as well!
As told to Sidharth Monga