Mumbai Off the Beaten Path Tips by Amitu

At this stage it's worth mentioning yet another incredible Indian institution: the Indian film industry.

Bombay is the official centre of Indian film, so much so that the films are known as 'Bollywood' movies (which is unlikely to change to 'Mollywood' with Bombay's rechristening as Mumbai). Bollywood churns out twice as many films every year as Hollywood, and where the average Hollywood blockbuster clocks in at about 90 minutes, Bollywood epics run to an exhausting average of two-and-a-half hours. Each movie has at least five sing-along dance routines, and every type of film genre - action, romance, thriller, crime, musical - is packed into the celluloid equivalent of bubble and squeak.

To a Westerner the films appear incredibly crap, but the figures point to an industry that is far from unsuccessful. Bollywood blockbusters, of which there are more than 800 produced every year, have million-dollar budgets, produce over 100 million ticket sales every week, have huge advertising campaigns (the posters mount up on walls and telegraph poles, only to be nibbled off by passing goats and cows) and have made a lot of Bombay residents very rich indeed.

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Loooking for cheap cotton casuals?Looking for artificial jewellery? Visit this market.It has anything and everything you can think of - even electronics and cellular phones. Everything is sold on roadside stalls. Although it may be very crowded during evenings, there is plenty of 'room' for bargaining.
Tip- must carry plenty of water and courage to make way through the congested, narrow streets.

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Just outside the harbor (10 kilometers), are the Elephanta Island.

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Chor Bazaar or Thieves Market is located in the busiest section of Mohammed Ali Road and Pydhonie. This flea market invites those looking for a good bargain.

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It was the largest market until recently and handled nearly 3000 tonnes of fresh produce everyday.

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MADH ISLAND-one of my favorite get-aways. Located in the remote area of Erangal beach, this scenic beach reminds me of Goa. Limited public transport(just one local bus route), but a cab ride from the Juhu suburb would take you there in 20 mins.
Must visit the famous resort 'THE RETREAT' for coffee and snacks

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Palace on Wheels Tour

Duration: 8 days
Rate: USD 2626 - Single traveler. USD 1999 - Twin sharing.

This is the closest you can get to living like a maharajah. One of the top ten luxury train journeys in the world, The Palace on Wheels captures the aura and mysticism of a bygone era, while spoiling its guests with sheer luxurious royalty. 14 AC coaches, 2 restaurants with the most delicious of cuisine, well-stocked bars, lounges, personal khitmatgars, barber shop, beauty parlor and even a 'Bazaar'. They are beautiful carriages on which the Rajahs and the Nizams once moved in. Step into their world. Welcome to The Palace on Wheels.


Itinerary - 8 days

Day 1 Delhi (Dep. 1830 hrs)
Arrive at Delhi Cantonment station at 1600 hrs.
Day 2 (Arr. 0200 hrs | Dep. 1930 hrs)
The first stop on this glorious ride is Jaipur.
Day 3 Jaisalmer (Arr. 0815 hrs | Dep. 2300 hrs)
Day 4 Jodhpur (Arr. 0700 hrs | Dep. 1530 hrs)
Day 5 Sawai Madhopur – Chittaurgarh (Arr. 0400 hrs | Dep. 1030 hrs – Sawai Madhopur) (Arr. 1600 hrs - Chittaurgarh)
Day 6 Udaipur – Chittaurgarh (Dep. 2000 hrs - Chittaurgarh)
Day 7 Bharatpur – Agra (Arr. 0630 hrs | Dep. 1145 hrs - Bharatpur) (Arr. 1430 hrs | Dep. 2300 hrs - Agra)
Day 8 Delhi (Arr. 0600 hrs)
After a royal journey on the Palace-on-Wheels, arrive at Delhi Cantonment station at 0600 hrs for onward travel.

Tour cost includes:
- Cost of travel
- Full catering (morning tea, breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner)
- Conducted sightseeing tours in deluxe coaches Entrance fee for monuments/palaces
- Cultural entertainment at Jaipur and Jaisalmer
- Boat ride to and fro Lake Palace Hotel at Udaipur
- Elephant ride at Jaipur, camel ride at Jaisalmer and rickshaw ride at Bharatpur

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Website: TOUR STARTS FROM DELHI AND ENDS THERE AFTER 7 DAYS

Be it any season, one must try the icy drink (comes with crushed ice around a stick) called SHERBET GOLAA.
Available on Juhu and Chowpatty Beach.
Must try the KalaKhatta flavour or the DISCO flavour

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EATING AT ROADSIDE STALLS-
Nearly each street in Bombay is adorned with stalls selling some type of food-it could be a chinese eatery, south-indian stall or a plain indian snack stall.These stalls make most money during late night hours when the other high-end restaurants turn off the lights.You are bound to feel tempted to try.GO AHEAD!!TREAT YOURSELF(Note:Just make sure you have your vaccinations taken or your system is immuned)

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One can see a 'MADARI' (hindi name for monkey trainer)' on the sreets, with his monkey performing acrobatic stunts, much to the amusement of the local by-passers who at the end pay a rupee or two for the performance. It has come to my knowledge that,unfortunately some of these 'MADARI's' treat these animals very shabbily.

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