"I'd rather call it Bombay - it just sounds nicer" Mumbai by chazgilbert

I'm convinced there's nowhere else in the world like Mumbai. I almost feel a bit sorry for the place - it gets a bit of a bad press from guidebooks. But unlike other Indian cities, it has a hell of a lot to offer - you just need to know where to look.

I won't pretend I explored the whole city. Like most travellers, I based myself in Colaba, right at the southern end of the city. I didn't stay there for long - we used the city as a base from which to travel - but I reckon we just about made the most of it.

Try to avoid arriving in Mumbai in June, July or early August. We arrived at the peak of monsoon season, and it affected our perception of the city, not to mention what we could see and do. We returned in September after a month of travelling, and the city looked beautiful in comparison - just goes to show what a bit of sunshine can do.

Bombayology - a term derived by academics who have used India's largest city as a point of study. It's easy to see why - I genuinely don't know how the city manages to function, given the density of its population and the limited amound of land on which it resides. Somehow it does - a reason to visit the city in itself.

This is probably Mumbai's prettiest district, and one that oozes a recent colonial presence. It's where most travellers head to - despite it being a bit of a trek from both the domestic and international airport.

Highlights include Colaba Causeway - the city's main shopping district - and the Gateway of India, arguably the city's most famous landmark.

*** My camera was stolen during our first few days, hence the lack of photos :( ***

• Pros:Wondering how the city functions, taxis, excellent shopping
• Cons:All the street names being changed, the fumes, the scammers