Bombay Times

Fortunate enough to have been given the opportunity to live in such a culturally stunning city, there was no point in putting the days to waste. Me and a couple of friends explored the city as much as we could and this is what we came to make out of Bombay (or Mumbai) in a nutshell.

Known to be the richest city in India, the city used to be named Bombay but was officially changed to Mumbai in 1995. This was due to the insistence of a nationalist party to rid of the unwanted legacy of colonial rule. The city is now very popular for commerce and entertainment.

Here are my favorite spots:

1) Colaba

My favorite part of the city. Downtown Colaba is rich with historical gothic architecture that pretty much reminded me of New York. It’s nice to just walk around and appreciate the age of the structures. It’s a blend of the 16th-17th century and the 21st century. There are a lot of designer boutiques and shops around Colaba that make it fun to shop. Colaba also houses Attic, a store that sells Lomography items. The shop is lovely, with all its pretty little notebooks, array of Lomocams, and thick Warhol art books.

2) Taj Mahal Hotel

One of the most famous 5-star hotels in the city, this hotel is not one to disappoint. The exterior is beautiful, and it doesn’t hurt to take shelter in its cozy lobby after a long day of exploring Colaba.

3) Gateway of India

This monument is quite famous in Mumbai. Its history spans back to the early 1900s, during the British colonization. It was built to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary during their visit in 1911. It was used as a landing area for the VIPs (viceroys, governors, and the like) during that time.

4) Bandra-Worli Sealink

The sealink is my personal favorite. The structure is just fantastic and it’s quite a pleasant drive through. If you want to just cruise along the city, this is not to be missed. It makes it easier to cross from one point of the city to another and it is also a good way to escape from the horrible traffic.

5) Malls

For modern shopping, you might want to visit Millennium Atria Mall and The Palladium in High Street Phoenix. High Street Phoenix is a compound of three malls with restaurants, shops, and bars. I can easily recommend it as one of the best malls in the city. However, if you want street shopping, Bandra is the place to be.

6) Haji Ali

A mosque located along the waters of Worli.

7) Prince of Wales Museum

A very nice structure in the heart of Colaba, the museum does not only house beauty; it is a thing of beauty in itself. It was founded to commemorate the visit of the Prince of Wales. The museum is full of artifacts and relics from ancient Indian history.

Our six weeks of living in Mumbai ended too soon but I’ll always remember the experience. It was truly enriching. One of the things I’ll miss most is the sunset. There’s something special about the Bombay sunset. It’s always thick and rich with color, like the day ends with a promise of a brighter tomorrow.

Scritto da stuckintraffic il 2012-05-30 in #luoghi #india #location #landmarks #city #urban-adventures #mumbai #travel-destination #select-type-of-location