Mumbai (Bombay)
Chloe Writes: We arrived in Bombay after a 12 hour trip across the Nepalese border and a 37 hour train journey from north India (Gorakhpur).
Bombay is a bit like London by the Sea with it’s huge colonial buildings, bars and clubs. We had a few drinks at the infamous Leopold’s (if you’ve read Shantaram, which the majority of westerners who visit India have) and spent an evening on Chowpatty beach eating Bhel Puri’s. The sea is not clean enough to swim but the beach comes alive during the evening with music, “hawkers and gawkers” (a great line from the lonely planet, and very true…).
On our second day, we declined the many offers to be an extra in a Bollywood movie (producers are always looking for westerners), as the thought of hanging around a hot film set from 7am - 7pm for £6 didn’t really appeal although it would have been a good experience. We decide to smoke the hookah pipe (after eight flavor) and watch a very entertaining Bollywood movie instead. It was a black comedy, a kind of coronation street meets the exorcist and the fact that Pete and I couldn’t understand a word of it didn’t seem to matter.
Pete Writes: After our mission down to Mumbai, we had the next challenging task of posting the wooden elephant (which we have had since Chitwan) home. We arrived at the station at 6am, thinking that the post office opened at 9am. So we got dropped off at a cafe, and decided to settle in for a couple of hours. At 9 we made our way to the PO, only to find the parcel counter did not open till 10. Luckily one of the managers to a shine to my WWF build, and proceeded on taking us to the staff canteen for a free feed, nice.
To cut a long story short we managed to post the elephant at about midday, after certain staff were late and hours of faffing. Got to love the whole chilled out approach, bit like royal mail.
Mumbai has been fun, if not a little pricey for our budget. Worth every rupee though and the thick head in the morning.
Off to the seaside later, yay 
Page Gallery
Sunset on Chowpatty Beach
Some of the Many Hawkers on Chowpatty Beach….A Candy Floss seller
Balloon Seller
A very Persistant Chai seller
Tags: India
November 9th, 2007 at 10:02 am
so did you buy a cup of tea?
November 10th, 2007 at 10:11 am
Hawkers are the only problem with hanging on what otherwise appears to be a beach of total tranquillity.
Guys, it’s so nostalgic reading all your great write-ups, and seeing so many familiar views of India.
Watching your every move.
Lots of love from me and Laura xxx
November 12th, 2007 at 5:04 am
Hi Mum & Dad C,
No we didn’t buy a chai, he was very persistant though, he even poured us one :o)
November 12th, 2007 at 5:08 am
Hi Rupert and Laura,
Can you imagine an India without someone trying to sell you something. It just wouldn’t be the same.
I have to say they did make our evening very entertaining.
Good to hear from you x
Lots of Love x
November 12th, 2007 at 9:54 am
Hi beach babes,
You can buy Chai in Waitrose but I doubt it tates the same as the genuine artical!
I had some in India whilst waiting for a train 4 in the morning. It certainly set me up for the long train journey to Hampi.
Enjoy Goa Lovexxxxx M
November 13th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
You have to keep a sense of humour, that’s for sure.
November 19th, 2007 at 1:10 am
Hi Mum,
I’m trying to wean myself off sweet milky tea, it’s soo nice though but i’m getting into bad habbits. On the trek in Nepal it was an absolute life saver in the cold mountains.
Lots of Love x