It’s hard to believe that my last trip to India was 10 years ago. On that whistle stop tour of India’s vastness in 2003, Mumbai played only a fleeting role. But the train ride from the airport, squeezed in between the aching arms of dangling commuters as I absorbed the odours of rush hour, will stick sweatily in my memory forever.
I had no such experiences this time round. This visit was dominated by vivid sunsets over the Arabian sea, Bollywood spectaculars enjoyed from the reclining seats at the local cinema, sparkling rails in air conditioned shopping malls hung with brightly coloured saris. And of course, there was food. Obscene amounts of food from all over India, even from Switzerland and Mexico – it all found its way into my stomach which puffed up like a paratha.
Sun sets over Worli
Hot, syrupy jalebi, fresh from the pan…
Mumbai gets into the Xmas spirit
Feasting on fondue in Mumbai? Great lunch at Moshes.
Snacking on custard apple
M&S – the only place to get your knickers!
King of sunsets over the Worli promenade
Rasgulla time – syrupy, spongy post-dinner sugar fix
Beauty parlour time
I can’t stop eating! Dosas and idli for lunch…
Sandal shopping on the Colaba Causeway…
It may be touristy but we had to call in on Leopolds for a cold drink… #Shantaram
Coffee with a view at the Taj Mahal Hotel
GIANT prawns – mutants? But soooo tasty…
Early morning rise, up with the sun…
Some loving for Lizzie… #monarchy
Cinema time! #Bollywood
Steamy taxi ride back to the ranch. Loving the blue velour…
Horns hooting from all directions – #Mumbai traffic jam
Street snack time – puchkas, sev puri…
Sev puri… Tiny by oh so tasty…
Vada pao to finish up… #streetsnacks
Back on the custard apples for dessert… Creamy sweet goodness.
Cooling off with a quick dip at the National Sports Club of India…
Coffee and oatmeal – the breakfast of champions @ Taj Mahal Hotel
Early morning view of the Gateway of India…
A guy feeds a demented horde of pigeons in front of the Gateway of India…
Double decker buses zip through the #Mumbai streets, reminds me of #London!
Gnoshing on chicken reshmi kebab and roti washed down with mango lassi at Olympia on Colaba Causeway…
Good ol’ English cuppa with an Indian twist… #teatime
Afternoon snack of masala corn
Another awesome sunset over the Arabian Sea
Even the builders trucks are brightly painted and decorated…
Anyone for bingo? AKA housie at Bombay Presidency Radio Club
Wincingly rereshing fresh lime soda…
Uppam at Excellensea…
Another plate practically licked clean at Excellensea…
Weirdest drink ever. Spicy creamy and very pink – but strangely moreish.
Standard end to a meal…
Cricket – still easily number one!
Christmas decorations up! #Mumbai
Dumpling fix at Royal China in Bandra
The crows love hanging out on the bamboo scaffolding in the morning…
Mexican time – getting my mole on…
Surrounded by tuk tuks in the streets of Bandra… Traffic jammed again!
Never made it to Macdonalds…
One last sugar binge… Rasgulla, gulab jamun, kalakan and MORE