MUMBAI, INDIA

April 1-3, 2023


We are now cruising the Indian Ocean toward Saudi Arabia, our next stop.   We were unable to post the past few days because something blocked the ships WiFi while we were in Mumbai.   A person on FB said it was the Indian Naval Station near where we were docked.   


Mumbai:  High 85 degrees; sunny and hazy


Wow!  Mumbai is an amazing city.   With a population of 22 million it is indeed crowded, but it didn’t feel that intense.   Of course we were there on Saturday and Sunday, so maybe its another story on weekdays.   Among other things it is the financial center of India, and business all around seemed to be booming with lots of buildings underway as well as a major new transportation system (rail and roads).   One guide said about 400 families are moving to Mumbai every day, most from other parts of India looking for new opportunities.   The architecture mix in the city is pretty amazing including many structures built in the 1800s under the British reign, new modern glass and steel high-rises and old tenement houses and shops.   


South Mumbai is situated around a bay they call the Queens Necklace.   Opposite the beach are many restaurants and hotels.   In the evening people flock to the beachfront to socialize and watch the sunset.   


We visited a few of the major tourist sites including the Hanging Gardens located on/above a major underground water reservoir; the largest public outdoor laundry operation in the city; Mahatma Ghandi Museum (we could have easily spent hours there) and the International Gateway built specifically for King George V visit in 1911.   

On Sunday we experienced Indian cuisine almost all day long.   Viking Corporate Office organized an event for us at the top of a hotel near the Planetarium.   First a guy wrapped our heads with a turban (now we’re royalty, but looking ridiculous), then we were served a whole variety of delicious Indian hors d’oevres and fruit drinks in an outdoor festive setting; then we entered a room where multiple activities were underway, including a puppet show and artisans custom making bracelets and applying temporary tattoos on the guests.   Following that we had a delicious buffet lunch with a variety of Indian dishes.   


In the evening we attended a Bollywood Dance presentation….it was a hoot!  That was followed by dinner at the Kyber Restaurant where we were served small portions of at least 8 Indian dishes.   Suffice it to say during the day we probably gorged on some of the best Indian dishes Mumbai had to offer.    


                         Central Rail Station

                           Back Bay Beach

                            Hanging Gardins

                          Gray high-rise in center of photo is home of Mukesh Ambani and family.   
                          He is the richest man in India.  Entire building is their home.

        Crowded street--busses, motorbikes, cars and pedestrians ease their way through narrow streets

Gateway of India, built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911, one of the city's top tourist sites.

Municipal Laundry.   Photo doesn't do justice but this is a massive operation where some 7,000 people do laundry by hand out in the open for individuals, hotels and clubs.   



                                       Mahatma Ghandi in Museum dedicated to him



                         Setting for Mela festival on Sunday atop a hotel near the Planetarium

                       Vera getting turban wrapped by a professional turban wrapper


                              Finished Products....aren't we cute.

                                 Hand painting.   The brown layer peals off leaving a reddish "tatoo"

                           Pretty Ladies who helped with festival            


                         View from top of hotel where Mela Festival was held

                                           
                       Not everything is bright and shiny.   


One of the beaches along the "Queens's Necklace."   Our guide said those in the water were probably visitors because the locals know better.   

                     Thousands gather at the beach in the evening to hang out and watch the sunset.

                           Bollywood Dance - The Guys

                             Bollywood Dance - The Gals


                       Bollywood Dance  - Guy gets Gal

                     We passed several drilling rigs just a couple miles off shore as we headed out to sea 


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