Monday, April 8, 2013

Bombay: A pleasant Visit....

Whenever, I visited Bombay along with my husband, it would always be very brief, spent mostly visiting relatives, and coming back to Bangalore. Though I started my life with my husband in Bombay  years ago, and have visited almost all the important places along with him, yet, wanting to see Bombay through different eyes was always my goal.
My daughter who now lives in Bombay with her husband, kept on asking me to come when she had some long weekend so that she could show me the places I really wanted to see and be seen at.
This time, opportunity came by, when she had a long break,  starting with  the festival of Holi, Good Friday, etc. 
So off I flew off to spend some fun filled time with my daughter,  her husband Ram and their lovely dog Loki. The weather too was fine,  in fact slightly cooler than Bangalore.
Powai : this is where our daughter stays so that she could be closer to her office in Goragaon, and here is where the most happening place in Bombay is located : Hiranandani Gardens.
It is a place that immediately transports you to some European country, just for a few moments you can think you are somewhere else, not in India. The architecture, the surrounding layouts, the lush gardens with European style fountains, the cafes, the glittering shops everything fools you into thinking that you have stepped into dream world, see for yourself these buildings:


Powai Lake
Can't believe it is our own Bombay or Mumbai  PS : Image Kind courtesy Google
Though my daughter doesn't live in one of those ultra posh apartment, for they are all very expensive. However, she lives in a beautifully landscaped apartment complex in Powai, which has big wide balconies opening out of each of the rooms including the kitchen. It has a swimming pool, a high tech Gym and the landscaping is so beautiful.One has to just take a walk around the vast building complex to see how drastically the style of all the new buildings have changed in the last few years in Bombay. Gone are the days when we had match box type buildings, things  are changing. Though such small ugly looking apartments are still very much there, but the sight of some new buildings are really a feast to the eyes.
Next stop is Lower Parel: Oh, one has to see the lighted high rise buildings in the night, it almost makes you wonder whether you are in Bombay or in Manhattan, it is unbelievable. However, the same buildings in the morning look very shabby.
Next visit: Colaba:
 While driving to Colaba you get see the famous Marine drive and some of the very old and  beautiful buildings facing the ocean. I always wanted to stay in a house or an apartment facing the sea, and whenever I see such buildings my heart aches.
We got a glimpse of Mukesh Ambani's home called 'Antila', the world's first billion dollar house, an architectural disaster, pure eye sore, standing as a sour thumb. I don't know why he had to get the best architects from Chicago to build this monster.You can see for yourself:
                                                       Image Kind courtesy Google

There is no harm in having money, but at least he could have used it wisely to build something beautiful, classy. We have all seen pictures of various very rich people's houses, but have you ever seen such a horrible looking building. It also claims to be the tallest building in Bombay.
These are some of the most beautiful old buildings in Bombay, all near the Taj Hotel facing the sea:
                                                 All pictures taken by my daughter

                                                         Another beauty: so different
We reached Colaba dropped off Ram at Leopold Cafe`, where he was to meet somebody.
It is one of the most favorite and most visited cafes of the city. Leopold café is the typical hangout place for youngsters and also the old regulars. For some reason it always attracts foreigners. The food is good and usually with large servings and is fresh. Has amazing range of different wines and Champagne.
However, we ( daughter and myself) decided to go to Café Mondegar, for this was one place, that I always wanted to see, having read about it in many travelogues, and seen it in various food channels.
Next to Regal Cinemas, the cafe opens early in the morning and is open till midnight. This place is for all the college goers, office goers, tourists, and of course, the regulars : a favorite hangout place for almost everybody. Drinks and food at reasonable rates with amazing music wafting from the Juke box.
Mario Miranda's paintings also adorn the walls of  Pub Cafe Mondegar. 

                                                             Pub Cafe Mondegar
                                                The paintings of  Mario Miranda


   Another interesting  Place called Picadilly, a Irani Cafe, very old, with Coke posters, famous for Lebanese and Persian food for Irani Chai/ Tea and Irani Samosas
After lunch shopping:
                                                                Antique shops
                                      Bought two glass lamps one in Pink and one in Violet
                Had to admire this smart lady selling Henna blocks, and speaking such good English

Then hopping to Starbucks for coffee, at The Taj Hotel.
 Since it was a Saturday, it was crowded, but we did manage to find a good place to sit. Took a picture of The Gateway of India:
                                 The famous Haji Ali Dargah, how can I come without seeing it
The shops at Haji Ali

Amazing views from this bridge: Bandra Worli Sea link
During the night it would look more beautiful with the lights on.
There are many more places to see and things to do in Bombay, but from this visit only this much was possible.
And finally a picture of Loki, the cutest, and the most lovable dog.
Back to a hot furnace called Bangalore.
Again it is a photo blog.
                     








34 comments:

  1. I can see that you can't drink beer and smile at the same time! Nice tour of very modern India! Old buildings are always better, the modern one looks like junk piled on top of junk!

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    1. Hello Jerry,
      I was unaware of the picture being taken, so i was caught not smiling, I am sure if i had known she was clicking i would have managed to smile and also pose drinking beer. What do you think, me not smiling... never
      Indian cities are full of extreme contrast, whether it is the rich or the very poor, old and the new, pretty and the ugly, I suppose that is what India a great country, and very difficult to understand, its real soul. The old buildings are well taken care of. for they are all in posh locality and the people living there are very rich, even the roads are absolutely clean, and well maintained. it cost lot of money. Some of the new buildings are also good, designed by very good and well known architects of India especially the Parsis. I am glad i could give you a peek into some of India. Thanks Jerry , you are always the 1st to comment on my blog.

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  2. Suprising that I lived for a long time in this lovely area but didnt think of taking any such beautiful photos, you took me back to my Mumbai days which perhaps is the one of the most lovely phase of my life. I can see that you thorughly enjoyed your trip! Glad you could give yourself a memorable time :-)

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    1. Actually i started my married life from Bombay only, but never liked its weather, its crowds and its tiny apartments. I was glad we moved after living there for 5 years. Visiting a place and pointing out the positives is easy, living there is not. Maybe, i have not really lived there for very long, I don't feel like a mubaikar. Yes it is fun visiting all the hep places, keeping the visit short.
      I am glad I could take you down the memory lane.

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  3. To be honest , I hate the city for its dirty pervasive slums, the dusty and crowded noisy roads and the humidity. I hate the sight of the most tasteless and vulgar construction in the World that is in Mumbai- The Antilla, Ambani abode.
    However your pictures gives a different perspective, The city is in fact showcased. A person who was never been to the city would want to go .A good Photo essay on Mumbai.
    The old era buildings that gives life and atmosphere to Mumbai must be taken care better.

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    1. Yes even I hate Bombay even though i was born there and lived for about 5 years after my marriage.
      However, since i am not living there, I could look at the brighter side of Bombay and present it to my readers. And believe me these places are worth visiting, and I feel there is good in every place, if we have an eye for the good things we would enjoy any place, maybe not on a long term basis , but at least for a short while. There are still many places worth visiting, and fun things to be done there. My daughter keeps telling me to come for a longer period, but what's the point as she would be able to show me only on the weekends, on other days I would be totally bored. Thanks Anil, and you should visit it sometime and also choose the right time to visit.

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  4. Ah feel so nostalgic! Mumbai is my city. I just recently visited in December. Love the pics too. Loki is adorable!

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    1. Yes Loki is adorable, and he is so cute and naughty too. He is 1 and half years old. I am glad this blog brought back good memories for you about this place.

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  5. Mumbai has undergone amazing transformation in the last decade and being a regular visitor to the city, every visit is full of surprizes:) Nice captures of the new and old landmarks, Rama:)

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    1. It is indeed drastically changing and hopefully for the good. Thanks for liking the pictures.

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  6. Enjoyed the trip to Mumbai through your eyes, Rama! This brought back so many memories of the times that we have spent in Mumbai... 8 years!! :)

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  7. I am so glad I could bring back good memories of the place to you. The 5 years I spent there was not up to my liking, it was really boring and very hot, I was hoping we would somehow move out from that place. Although we lived in a very good flat in a good locality, still life just stood still and stagnant there. It was good thing my husband left his job and start on his own, and good thing he chose Bangalore over Madras, otherwise it would have been the same hell. Now with Bangalore fast turning into a furnace, I am waiting to move to some cool, cool place, will it happen, I don't know, I am just praying. Thanks Shilpa. My computer i s not working, I will come to your blog as soon as it is alright.

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  8. I've been to Mumbai only twice only on vacation. The first time I saw the skysrappers there, I saw it with my mouth wide open, and just could'nt take my eyes off them. This was about 10 years back. I also enjoyed the boat rides to Elephanta caves which I went 3 years back. What I miss about Mumbai is I never had a chance to do a proper shopping. Should visit there sometime when I am in India. Bandra-Worli link is looking gorgeous in your pictures...

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    1. I know, shopping was something I wish i had more time for, I also wanted to go to Crawford Market, and many other places. It is always fun and entertaining if you happen too live in South Bombay. Next time do keep some time for shopping.
      Bandra- Worli Link would look more beautiful during the night.

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  9. For once someone is calling it Bombay and I am happy about it :-) Lovely coverage and I think you covered most of the places. Yes the old buildings are the still the best in Bombay. You will be surprised how articulate some of the shop keepers are (speaking in English)
    Noticed that you had been to Mondegar. Like the ambiance but the service needs improvement.
    In my school days, Powai was "far away" and its the only place I went twice for picnic from the school (Vihar lake)

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    1. Mondegar is definitely good, and we were served without delay. Either they must have improved or maybe we just lucky. Since it was lunch time the place was practically fool, but just two of it was not difficult to find place. We really enjoyed it, and their portions also were large, we couldn't finish the food, we had them packed.

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  10. I feel that I have just come down from Bombay.Beautiful photographs.The vendors also learn English to seek their lively hood.

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    1. Thanks, rudraprayaga. All venders are good in English, to some extent, but this lady was very fluent, with a nice Marathi accent, that made her so endearing to everbody

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  11. I went to Bomby when I was 10 years old. I too prefer old buildings to the new box typed buildings. But the photographs you have taken of the buildings are beautiful.

    Your son and you, both, look nice! Loki looks good.

    Yes, Antila has become famous for its ugliness! What a vulgar taste!

    I can see you enjoyed Bombay thoroughly!

    I must visit Bombay one day!

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    1. Thank you Sandhya. Maybe you should visit now and enjoy some of the good places there.

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  12. As always, a good virtual tour through your writeup an photos. The post captures the good times you have had. Like you said, every place has its own charms and harms:)

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  13. Your post captures the good times that you have had at Bombay. A nice arm chair travel for me thorugh your post. Like you say, every city has its own charms and harms.

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  14. Ramaa ji..another beautiful post , gives a vicarious feeling that the reader has visited and of course, at the end of the post, makes one want to visit the place..Brought back memories 20 years back when I vacationed in Bombay for a full 2 months.

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  15. Ramaa ji..another beautiful post , gives a vicarious feeling that the reader has visited and of course, at the end of the post, makes one want to visit the place..Brought back memories 20 years back when I vacationed in Bombay for a full 2 months.

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    1. Thank you SM, for enjoying the post. These beautiful parts of Bombay are worth visiting, and they have remained the same after so many years, that is why they are so famous even now. Some parts of the city change, whereas some retain the old world charm.

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  16. Bombay is a potpourri of the good, the bad and the ugly; the filthy rich vs the filthy slums, but the city has a charm that rubs off onto you, long after you've left the city. It's been close to 8 years since I left the city, but I still feel like an integral part of it. Everything you've said brings back memories of my life in the city, however brief it may have been. I haven't seen the Antila, glad I haven't! And Cafe Mondegar does sound like a place to go to the next time I'm there. Thanks for bringing back some lovely memories :)

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  17. I am glad I could rekindle the fond memories of this place in you. I am not a fan of Bombay, but I appreciate its beauty when viewed from a different perspective. I would never like to live in a city like Bombay
    Thanks RGB.

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  18. Bombay is to Indians what New York City is to Americans - A nice place to visit, but not to live in.

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  19. Bombay is to Indians what New York City is to Americans - A nice place to visit, but not to live in.

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  20. I love Loki! Greetings from my Caro:)

    What a wonderful city, rama! I like the pictures and your descriptions. I wonder, if I would travel again to India, what part would I chose? Kerala and Goa attract me for sure:)

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    1. You should travel to all these places, and really enjoy the beauty of these places. In fact, there are many walking tours organised by reputed travel agencies, and you should do it. Walking tours would give you the real feel of these places.
      Thank you, for your lovely comment. Yes, Loki is a handsome dog.

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  21. Love the way you have put together various facets of the wonderful world called Bombay/Mumbai, that place has a spirit of its own.

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