Mumbai General Tips by M.E.R.V

Fondest Memory: You haven't seen real traffic madness until you have seen Mumbai's traffic. Just as this picture describes, traffic rules are virtually not abided by. Pedestrains are halfway out in the middle of the road attempting to cross it while the red man is on. Cars don't stop for you either, so brave it and scream across the road!

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Favorite Thing: An emotional taxi ride from the city to the airport will have you thinking twice about how lucky you are to be blessed with what you have. I snapped these photos as we were passing through the suburbs along Reay Road as I saw rows of slums which went on for a few miles until we finally turned into another road. You see people washing, cooking, kids playing and adults going on their usual day routine in front of their 5 by 5-feet madeshift hut.


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Fondest Memory: I had a series of acute conjunctivitis while in Mumbai and it wasn't helping much especially when I was walking around all day. I got some extremely medicated smelling eye wash in one of the roadside pharmacies which made it worst I seriously thought I was definitely going blind by the end of the day. I then visited Breach Candy Hospital as recommended by Lonely Planet as India's best medical services in North Mumbai. I was, as a foreigner, placed straight in front of the queue which is pretty not bad...lol! I was seen by the doctor within minutes. You do not need any identification, you pay right after your consultation which was very affordable comparing to western standards. You get your prescription and buy your medicine at the pharmacies. It definitely turned out way easier than I thought it would be. Travel insurance is a must to India so make sure you don't forget that before you leave for your holiday.

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Fondest Memory: Getting lost is part of travelling. Getting lost in Mumbai under midday's heat is horrendous! Mumbai's confusing streets may frustrate even the most well-composed person. Thankfully, in the more touristy spots, there are street maps available on the pavement and tourist police which may not exactly be helpful since they hardly speak any English. If you ever lose your way, your best bet is asking a middle-class local which is easily identifiable by their dressing. A cool drink may help too :P

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Favorite Thing: No one should really miss the seafood tastefully done at any of Mumbai's finer Indian restaurants especially if you are travelling onwards inland where seafood becomes scarce and unfresh yet expensive. In the finer restaurants, you usually get to see your catch before its put in the frying pan. You will notice that prices inland are almost 3 times higher than a coastal town. Many restaurants have also have a Chinese menu which I wouldn't suggest you trying unless you have had a bit too much to drink! So the whole point of this tip is: TRY THE SEAFOOD IN MUMBAI & NO CHINESE IN INDIA!


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Favorite Thing: The Kala Ghoda area is recognisable by the huge round-about with crazy traffic. This area between Colaba and the Fort contains Mumbai's main galleries and museums along with some gorgeous colonial buildings. Be careful when your museum hopping - don't get run over by a car.


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Favorite Thing: Take some time to wander about and admire the beautifully illuminated colonial buildings. The most beautiful of all is most probably the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus which is also the main train station. Minusing everyone else on the street, you may even just think you are in some part of Europe. Right outside it is a street market which gets exceptionally busy at night so watch your belongings. If you are lucky enough, you may even get to see some amateur cricket matches at the open fieldgrounds.


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Favorite Thing: Many major buildings in Mumbai have been renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji including the main train station(Victoria Terminus), the Prince of Wales Museum, and Mumbai International & Domestic Airport. I wonder why they even bother. Many of these buildings are still known by their previous names so there shouldn't be any probelm but any other tourist may get just a tit bit of confusion especially since when its quite a tongue twister just pronouncing it. Having said that. I do prefer Mumbai than Bombay. Mumbai sounds modern, cosmopolitan and different which is what the city is all about whereas its old name Bombay just sounds like curry! LOL!


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