Taj Lands End Mumbai Mumbai (Bombay)

... being quite this sumptuous. I ate from the exquisite buffet breakfast, which my apetite could not do justice too, in the intimidatingly luxurious 'cafe', before bracing myself for the madness of the outside world. Upon exiting I walked right into the middle of a busload of tourists having a day trip from the cruise ship Rotterdam, currently docked in Mumbai on it's way around the world. The comfort of being surrounded by the dottering English ...

... across the road to Leoplolds for some soft drinks. The room enfed up being a sweatbox internal room so not much sleep was achieved and we ended up changing the next morning to the Salvation Army Red Shield Guesthouse - and for the same price we got a room 5 times bigger with 3 windows and fan with free breakfast and lunch included - score! Just after we checked in we were approached by a guy looking for Westerners to ...

... for the visas & got the International driving permit done.

Even after all the bookings taken care of, we were quite nervous as it was for the 1st time we were going to an international destination all alone & without any help for so long. The second problem was that we would have to drive a left hand car on the right side of the road. These places are rarely on an Indian's ...

... the evening riding in the back of the cab. That was okay -- we had an early day the next day. Dhobi Ghats In Mumbai, India, a caste of people toil away doing the city's laundry by hand. It is grueling work, often done in 100-degree heat by hundreds of men, women and some children who beat the laundry on rocks they rent for $8 a month. They are Dhobis, a Hindu caste born to the job. http://www.jewishwanderer.com/extras/mu mbai02.html

... and the prospect of a hike in the heat was somewhat daunting. In two minds, we opted out, and continued, stopping every so often to enjoy the splendid view of mountains, valleys, cascades and interesting rock formations. There are several clearly discernible natural caves in the area which may well have been used as dwellings by our prehistoric ancestors. A short walk through a forest clearing led to the discovery of elephant dung. Presumably ...

Couldn't get to sleep until 3am, so stayed in bed till quite late this morning. Left the hotel to get something to eat and I was approached by a casting director who wanted me to be in a Bollywood movie tomorrow, he said I'd get paid and looked after but unfortunately I have a flight to Goa booked in the afternoon. I said no, but maybe I should have rearranged my plans, could have been fun and the start of a Bollywood career. Elephanta Island was a one ...

... a tuk tuk to have lunch is nothing short from wonderful :) I've written this entry 3 months later and the whole experience gives me a warm memory. Having the best vegetarian food in the world delivered at the hotel, eating it with Lisskulla and no cutlery on the bed, waking up in the mornings to go to work with a tuk tuk, spending the evenings talking or watching a movie, taking the train to the center, shopping for little presents, meeting up ...