Bombay Dreams, Bombay Nightmares

Last leg in India and it was the part I was looking forward to most. The home of Bollywood and a train ride up to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. Again we found that it's best not to have expectations, you only end up disappointed.

Elephanta

Mumbai checklist-

Busy - Check

Polluted- Check

Unhelpful Tourist Info- Check

Expensive- check

(my favourite pattern of shirt- check)

(Pavel Nedved- Czech)

First part was to try and get a train ticket to Agra. All through the trip we have experienced no problem with India rail, as soon as we get to one of the major cities where they would be used to dealing with foreigners, it seemed to be nothing but problems, from a surly supervisor at Mumbai CST to finding out the tourist quota for trains up to Agra were 2 seats. A decision was made to leave Mumbai as soon as possible and get our flight to Bangkok earlier than planned. During this discussion, I found myself saying, "Well, shall we just go to Thailand on Thursday, then?" because, of course, that's what Thursdays are for.

Elephanta Caves # 1

Maybe I'm being too hard on the place, we had a good trip out to Elephanta Island, (so called because when the Portugese landed, the first thing they saw was a staue of an elephant) to visit a temple that was carved in the caves which was pretty amazing to think how long it must have taken and the artistry involved. Just be advised that it will cost 110 rupees to get there on the approved Tourist Department boat. Oh, and a 10 rupee "tourist tax" when you land. Oh yeah, not forgetting the 300 rupee entrance charge as well. None of which is mentioned anywhere until you actually arrive.

The Gateway of India, which was built to commeorate the vist of George V is a striking monument, just don't stop to pose with people when they ask for a photograph with you, unless you crave what it must be like for celebrities to be photographed constantly. It results in about 50 being taken whilst they all pull their mates in. Then the one who was taking the snap has to have one of him with you. Then other people think, "I'm going to have my photo taken with the tubby lad too" and the thing starts all over again. It sounds petty and they don't mean any harm, but when you just want to enjoy a monument and take in the surroundings, it takes a little bit of the enjoyment away.

Elephanta Caves #2

Anyway a couple of average days at the end of what has been a fantastic 3 and a half week jaunt around India ain't too bad. It beats working.

Gateway of India