We arrived in Mumbai the middle of the night - and what a pleasant surprise. The airport is just beautiful! We checked in at a hotel close to the airport to get a few hours of sleep before the Indian adventure started.
We couldn't have asked for a better introduction to India, thanks Anoop! (Anoop worked with Wiets at RMB) You made our first day in Mumbai effortless :)
Anoop and his driver Muthi(sp) chauffeured us around Mumbai, stopping at all the 'must-see' sights and ritzing us around like VIPs. We stopped at the Dhobi ghat, Ghandis' house, the Gateway of India, The Taj Hotel, Leopoldt and the Mumbai Central Railway station (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus). But best of all, Anoop introduced us to our first Thali! We went to a restaurant called Rajdhani's Rasovara 'The Royal Kitchen' and feasted on a selection of curries, paneer, pickles, dips and rotis (all vegetarian) - and the food just kept coming! I'm obsessed ;) Later he took us to sample some street food in the form of Puri Pani (little hollow domes of thin crispy fried dough) filled with a cold and spicy coriander flavoured liquid and veggies. They fill it messily from a large vat directly after which you pop the entire thing into your mouth to experience the spicy-cool-sweet-savoury sensation that is a pani puri - delight!
After a very comfortable 'India Light' version of Mumbai we are now off to Delhi... Let's see what that city holds!
We have never travelled with backpacks before! But after realising what we were in for we figured that it would probably be the best way... There is a first time for everything ;)
The enentrance to Ghandis' house (it's now a museum dedicated to his life)
Portait of Ghandi
The Dobi Ghat were people send clothing an linnen to be washed... not sure how clean they come back!
At the Gateway to India
Blonds are also tourist attractions in India :)
We had drinks at Leopoldt - and we are actually listening to Shantaram (the book that made the bar famous) while we are travelling!
Caught In a monsoon downpour! (With a street cat :) The rains don't last long, and atleast it's warm.
Thali! This was our introduction to a quintessential Indian meal - I am in love!
Thanks Anoop!
The end! We polished our trays and every bite was delicious!
The Pani Puri street stall. Everything is freshly made and eaten on the spot.
Our first Pani Puri bites!
The taxis are way kitch! Our late night drive back to our hotel to get ready for Delhi...
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