Mumbai. My hands and feet are shaking. I’m shivering. I oscillate between being afraid and being brave.. It’s like a part of me says go, a part of me stays. Like if I don’t go to India, something will always be missing in my life. After all my research and reading, my curiosity has brought me this far, even though I have not arrived in the country yet, even though I know it like the back of my hand, I still have that pessimism in my eyes.. Do you know why ?
Starting to 1.Mumbai
Because the next stop is “India ” from him. 22 years old 34. Even if you are a man going to his country, if the country you go to is India, one always has hesitations and worries.. Because this is another world inside the world.. This is “I’m either going to love it or hate it.” country. next stop. India. Mumbai…
The blinding luxury and magnificence of Dubai with Ali, its vulgarity, the wealth of Arabs on the one hand, and the exploitation of Filipino, Afghan or Pakistani immigrants on the other, proved how different our tour would be, which had just begun.. It was the first time for both of us to travel to this geography.. We were both excited and curious.
Streets of Mumbai
We were surprised enough in Dubai and realized that it was not for us. moment, we were psychologically ready for India. we are not rich men. we didn’t. Maybe we never will.
So we neither had eyes for wealth nor people.. in their flat on the ground floor. It was something else we were wondering about.. Riches that can’t be bought with money, where people can realize that there are beauties more important than money and have opportunities to get to know themselves.
Streets, new cultures, children with smiling eyes.. The serenity of walking barefoot on the beach. What we feel when we wake up in the morning, breathing without difficulty and listening to the sound of the waves. The silly smiles on our faces as the sun goes down.
We were after these.. That’s why we took our flight from Dubai to Mumbai, the gateway to India, to experience one of the greatest adventures of our lives.
The Streets of Mumbai
We arrived in Mumbai, the most important city of India, where our lives will change and we will gradually get to know the world.. We had just arrived in India to turn the most important pages we needed to read.. To this magnificent geography, which has been dreaming for months,. Hello India…
“Namaste”…
2. Entering India
Does the smell start when the plane descends to the airport, my friend? starts. I didn’t expect it to be this much.. It’s an indescribable scent. Then, as we approached the airport, Mumbai started to become clearer.
My God.. Tin houses next to huge buildings. Buildings that I can’t even say “roof” covered with linoleum. A smell that gets stronger as the plane descends.
Mumbai-Slums
But since I came ready for all of this, I said, “Calm down Deniz.. you get used to it. So that’s the culture of this country.” As I tried to convince myself, the excitement continued.
It turned out that even those makeshift houses we saw were luxurious.. You ask why ? Because more than 300 million people in this country were born on the street, grew up on the street and died on the street…
It was very easy for us to cross the border after we arrived at Mumbai airport. As you follow the smell, you realize that you are getting closer to the exit.. Since we had to pay the taxi fare to take us to the city center first, we exchanged 20 dollars at the exchange office.. That’s a lot of money here! Let you know.
Then we came to the box office where those famous prepaid taxis are located.. The place where we were staying was the “Gateway of India”, that is, it was close to the big gate right next to the sea.
We left the door.. looking around. Chaos. Again that indescribable smell. Hot. Moisture. Our eyes are looking for the taxi. There are yellow/black mixed vehicles. But “No, they are not!” we say. Then a man comes to us. “Welcome to India Sir !” says. showing the taxi. we stare at each other. Then we realize something. Welcome to India…
3. About Mumbai
Once you land in Mumbai, you’ll see what chaos means. Is it poverty? I’m not even talking about it. To what do you think this city owes its feature of being the most important promotional city that introduces Indian films to the world?
This is poverty.. On the one hand, buildings in which a single “Huge” skyscraper belongs to “Only one person”, on the other hand, Indians who have no more than 2 different clothes in their life.
People Sleeping on the Street in India. The Landscape You Will See Will Be Exactly Like This
It really is. 3. These people don’t have any clothes! 1 day wearing someone. The other is washed in the city’s open-air laundry centers.. Is it poverty ?
Dude. How many times in your life have you walked quietly on the sidewalks in the middle of the night, so as not to step on or wake the children, women and the elderly who are “sleeping”? If it has never happened to you, which is the first time something like this has happened to me, you’ll be experiencing it first in India…
Mumbai -Wealth on the One Side
To get to know this country and understand its culture line by line, I recommend you read my “India Travel and Travel Guide” first.. There I explained all the general information about India. I have summarized everything in terms of transportation, accommodation, costs, cultural information.
Kumbai, known as the gateway to India, is one of the top 10 most populated cities in the world.. We wouldn’t be wrong if we say it’s the largest city in India.. Bombay (which means beautiful bay in Portuguese. This name was used until 1996) and its name was changed to “Mumbai” by the British, and it is home to more than 21 million people.
But it is one of the most slum cities in the world. it is located in Mumbai again, and even Asia’s largest slum is also in Mumbai.
Perhaps you may have heard that the huge skyscraper belongs to one person.. Here is this skyscraper in Mumbai for example. I wish there was one. In Mumbai, where 1 skyscraper rises every month, nobody cares that the inequality in income distribution is at the highest level.
While this is the country’s most important industrial and commercial center, even India’s gateway to the world, the remaining 1.3 billion people live in villages. , think about the towns…
Traces of Europeans from all over the city
First eye in Mumbai what strikes are the slums. Does every street become poor? If you are in Mumbai. These poor people from the villages and rural areas, who are looking for their hope in the big city to fight for their lives, try to spend their lives under 2 dollars a day.
2 dollars a day ! When you see the makeshift houses, the walls covered with nylon, the struggle for survival of 10-15 people living in the house, the question always comes to mind! Is injustice everywhere in the world, friend?
Let’s go down to the history of the city a little bit.. Mumbai was a place where people were sick one by one due to malaria cases in the past.. Again, colonial “Europeans” came to these lands to “STEAL” the wealth of the country.. In order to bring so-called democracy and increase the welfare of the country! In particular, the lands that the Portuguese exploited at first were sold to the British for bride price.. Ultimately, the city started to become the heart of trade with the breakthroughs of such giant companies.
The most important development of Mumbai started in 1862.. How Does ? Between the 7 islands that divide the city into pieces, it is filled with soil millimeter by millimeter.. With the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, Mumbai became the center of maritime trade and a center of attraction with its huge ports, since the city was a safe and convenient port area. a city. So as far as I have observed.. I will be telling them one by one in the section “Places to visit and see in Mumbai”.
4. How to get to Mumbai?
Let me specify from the beginning. It is very likely that you will enter India either from Mumbai or from Delhi. You can consider these 2 cities as the main cities of the country.. Now I will tell you how to reach Mumbai and how to provide urban transportation in Mumbai one by one.. How to reach Mumbai ?
Mumbai Map
Airport ; Çatrapati Şivaci Airport (I still haven’t been able to pronounce it.) will be the airport you will use when entering the city.. Flight tickets from Istanbul to Mumbai cost between 1,000-1,500 TL. If you come to Mumbai from within the country, you can find a one-way ticket for 100 TL.
You can use the Pre-Paid taxi system from the airport to the city center.. In general, the Colaba area, which is the heart of the city, can be reached from the airport by paying 400-600 Rupees, and you never have to pay extra money to the taxi driver after getting off.. Because in this system, we already make the payment at the airport.
If you are wondering how to find cheap flight tickets to Mumbai, see my Best flight and train ticket sites article.
Train ; The world’s most passenger trains are located in India. I have already explained how these trains will be used and how much the train prices will cost in India in my “Transportation in India” article.. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus station in Colaba is right in the heart of the city and Mumbai attractions. You can consider this terminal as your hub.
India Trains
Bus ; If you want to come to Mumbai by bus, Mumbai Central Bus Terminal will be your intercity bus terminal.. You can reach Coloba for 30-50 Rupees by renting a tuktuk from here.
But personally, I don’t recommend you to travel around India by bus.. If you’re going to travel, I recommend paying 3-5 Rupees more and using quality buses.
Urban ; The easiest part. In what respect? Let me explain: There are 3-wheeled motors called tuktuk.. You can easily travel short distances by paying 10-20 Rupees for them.
Riksha in Mumbai, that is, given to bicycles where 2-3 people sit behind the bicycles and the driver rides with human power. name forbidden. If you want to take a taxi, definitely tell them to turn on the taximeter or you will not get on.. They are coyotes.
Taxis are Everywhere in India
Just remember, don’t go to and from work don’t hit the road during hours. 10 minutes drive can take 10 hours. There are also commuter trains.. If you want to stay in Coloba and go to other regions, you can use these trains.. “If I don’t bother with any of them, I’ll give the driver my money, Pasha Pasha will show me around until the evening!” If you say so, you can rent a car daily by paying 500-1000 rupees.
How I can stay economically abroad, rent a hotel-hostel and house cheaply, line by line in my article “Economic hotel search engines” i told. I definitely recommend you to take a look.
5. Where to eat and drink in Mumbai ?
What are the restaurants to eat and drink in Mumbai? Believe it is the hardest thing. “After you came to Mumbai, don’t say go back without eating this or say you went to Mumbai without stopping by that restaurant!” Don’t expect me to say something like.
Leopold Cafe
But I’ll give you a little bit in Mumbai as best I can. Let me talk about what to eat and drink. By the way, what I know about the “Eating and Drinking in India” culture, I have already explained in the India Travel and Travel Guide.
I just said that there is the Colaba region.. Here you can find plenty of traditional Indian restaurants in this area.. But if you’re not into spice and chili, many Chinese and Italian restaurants will be at your disposal.
In Indian restaurants, you can eat Mumbai’s “Pav Bhaji”, a traditional vegetable dish.. As for restaurant suggestions; There’s a place called Leopold Cafe. You can try many Indian and international dishes here.. Click to see the website and address.
Mc Donalds-Meat and meat products are not sold sign
Also, If you’re hungry, Starbucks and Mc Donalds are also in this area.. I know. “How right is it to come all the way to India and eat McDonald’s, Deniz? You might be saying. But I have to write suggestions according to probabilities, considering everyone.. I would even say read my article “Ways to eat abroad cheaply !” before you set off.. There, I describe both the methods and the mobile phone applications I use.
In general, you can cost 5 dollars per meal in Mumbai.. Even Mc Donalds was around $3. I think 10-15 dollars a day would be ideal.. Of course, this depends on your luxury expectations, but I think I have to say once again that you are in India and people in this country live for 2 dollars a day…
For Indian cuisine, Don’t eat in India see my guide to drinking.
6. Where to stay in Mumbai ?
Let Colaba be your first choice. But let’s not forget Mumbai is the most expensive place in the country in terms of real estate prices.. As I already said, Mumbai, which has everything in terms of economy of the country, was the place where we spent the most money in terms of accommodation prices in India.. We stayed in the Colaba area. It usually costs between 30-50 dollars for 2 people.. Click here to see a list of sample hotels in Mumbai.
Real Streets of India
How to go abroad In my article “Economic hotel search engines”, I explained, line by line, that I stayed economically, that I rented hotels-hostels and houses cheaply.. I definitely recommend you to take a look.
Here you can choose hotels or hostels close to the “Colaba” region according to your budget.. Even if you want to experience “Couchsurfing”, which is a free accommodation method, Mumbai can be a good route for those who are looking for adventure.. You can refer to my article on “Economical accommodation methods abroad”.
For hotels, use the links Booking.com, Hotelscombined.com use.
7. Entertainment – Shopping – Nightlife in Mumbai
Entertainment. in India? What do you expect from entertainment ? Or nightlife ? My biggest expectation from a country in terms of entertainment is to try to meet people I don’t know, with zero English.. People with smiling eyes. Happy people who have no expectations from you.. Here you will be seeing it not only in Mumbai but almost all over India.
Ganesh Chathurthi Festival-One of the Most Important Festivals
So if by entertainment you mean gigantic aquariums, amusement parks, dancing in clubs until the morning, you won’t find any of these in Mumbai.. So maybe it will be found, but it’s not the right address to come just to see it!
Entertainment-Festivals
The most important thing that comes to mind when I think of entertainment in India is festivals.. I already wrote the list of these festivals in the “festivals in India” section of my “India Travel and Travel Guide” article.
However, famous Bollywood studios are also located in Mumbai.. we couldn’t go. Some private tours were organized. If you want to go, I would ask your hotel.. Even if you don’t go to Bollywood, at least watch a movie at the cinema once.
These Indians are hilarious guys. Applause, noises, joys, screams during the movie… They watch by living it officially.. And most importantly, do you know what?
You should definitely try to see an Indian wedding.. If you have a spouse, friend or acquaintance there, contact them before you go.. Indian weddings are very, very famous. We had only come across an ordinary wedding in the suburbs.. Honestly, we didn’t understand much …
Shopping
What to buy in India ? Silk products, handicrafts, colorful patterned touristic items… Actually, I’m not a very knowledgeable person on this subject.. All I will say is that anything that costs Rupees 10 is normally Rupees 2-3.
So always bargain. You can shop especially in Colaba area. Also in Mumbai, Chor Bazaar, or Thieves’ market, was a good place to shop.
The thief’s market as it is called. At first they said that stolen goods were sold, but in fact it was not stolen goods, but a place where counterfeit or antique products were sold.
Mumbai-Streets
Silk products, handicrafts, colorful patterned touristic items… Actually, I’m not a very knowledgeable person on this subject.. All I will say is something that costs Rupees 10 normally is Rupees 2-3.. So always bargain.
You can shop especially in Colaba area.. Also, Chor Bazaar in Mumbai was a good place for shopping.. The thief’s market. Initially, they said that stolen goods were sold, but it was actually the place where fake or antique products were sold, not stolen goods.
Night Clubs
I count. I think Mumbai is the most important city of the country in terms of nightlife.. You can go to bars and nightclubs such as Blue frog, Leo’s Square, Indigo Mumbai, Goa Portugues, Cafe Mondegar, Zenzi.. Since we couldn’t be in Mumbai for the weekend, we didn’t go to any of them.. If you want to go and have enough strength, you can have fun for at least 1 night.
8. What are the places to visit and see in Mumbai ?
Where to visit in Mumbai ? Let me explain: When I first came to India, I was strange, especially while visiting the slums.. I am shocked. I’m out of words. I just walked. I didn’t think much. I didn’t question. I did not judge. Whereas Mumbai was nothing. You also see Varanasi. So when you come to India, take things as they are.. Don’t worry too much.
Place of Mumbai Attractions on the Map
Because in this country, it’s a letdown, letting go will be happening right before your eyes. I said that 300 million people are sleeping on the streets.. How many other countries are there in this world where you carefully keep walking so as not to step on the sleeping people while walking on the pavement? Welcome to India.
As you walk the streets, you will see chaos everywhere. It was orderly, it was a queue, it was calm… Do not expect these from Mumbai.. Prepare yourself accordingly. If you are worried that I will get lost in Mumbai, just in case, you can go to the Indian Tourist Information Office, which is right across from Churchgate Station, and get help and get a city map to visit the city.
Without further ado. I’m starting to tell you one by one, what kind of route we followed for 2 days in Mumbai, our first stop in India, where we saw, where we were surprised, what we felt.. The first stop of our Mumbai tour is Colaba District…
The Route I Followed in Mumbai
First Day’s Route in Mumbai
- Colaba District
- Gateway of India
- Taj Mahal Hotel
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal
- Pricen of Wales museum
- University and supreme court
- Clock tower
- Marine Drive
- Chowpatty Beach
- Hanging gardens
- Jain Temple
- House where Mahatma Gandhi lived (Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sanghralaya )
- Dobi ghat
- Dharavi suburbs
- Colaba District : We arrived in Mumbai yesterday evening. I have passed the road fatigue, but what we saw on the way from the airport to the hotel was enough to create enough weight on us.. Those streets, those neighborhoods, the dirt, the smell, the heat. Were we ready for this? “Hard India Sea. Get the news !” they said, was I scared from the first minute?
- Gateway of India : Our first stop was made by the British an architecture. That famous gateway to India. built in 1924. This gate, which was built when the King came to Mumbai in 1911, is one of the most important structures in the country.. After India gained its independence in 1948, all British troops left this gate again.
- Taj Mahal Hotel : There is a hotel where the noble British stayed at the time.. The story of this hotel is a little different and deep. Farsi Tata built the Taj Mahal hotel because they wouldn’t let a member of the Tata family enter Watson’s, the best hotel in the city. the hotel is also. We continue on our way without entering the hotel.. We’re still not used to. something different here. How to describe…
Taj Mahal Hotel
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- Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal : I feel as if I am in a slow motion movie, to explore the streets of Mumbai, through the tumult of rearview mirrorless cars that are always honking, with the light blowing of the clothes of Indian women wearing colorful saris.
. This is the happiness of dreaming, going after it and getting it.. As we continue on our way, this terminal, which I can call Mumbai’s most beautiful train terminal, just opposite the Wellingtain Fountain, draws our attention.
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal, built in Gothic style, is located in Mumbai right in the heart and the last stop of the train line. By the way, don’t stop by here during rush hour.. We stumbled upon it once, let alone taking pictures, we couldn’t get past the crowd at the train station.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal-The Usual Road With my friend Ali
- Pricen of Wales museum : Since the turmoil at the train station bothered us, we already had a feeling of suffocating heat. It becomes a place where we run out as soon as possible.. “Where is cool at this hour?” We come up with a good idea, using our vast travel experience.. “Not without a museum.” By saying that, we make our way to the Pricen of Wales museum, which is within walking distance.
The Pricen of Wales museum, one of the most important museums in Mumbai,. Made to commemorate George’s visit to India. The architecture of the museum bears the traces of the Indo-Gothic architectural style.. After seeing so many similar structures in Europe, one is not surprised to see a building built in a similar style in India!
The museum includes natural history, archeology departments and miniatures.. Plenty of sculptures and works of art are displayed in this pleasant museum.. One of the must-see museums in my opinion.. But entry is Rs 400…
Museum of Price of Wales
- Rajabai Clock Tower: We can’t help but photograph women walking around in colorful saris while getting lost in Mumbai’s chaotic streets. We are starting to get tired. “You’re just tired!” don’t say. The weather is not that hot. If we don’t have the instinct to explore, we can find a wooded place and take a nap for 2 hours.. That’s where we are.
“I wish I had asked for something other than Allah!” I say. Because when this clock tower is right on our way, we take a rest by watching the Indians playing cricket in the city park just behind it.. It is interesting that such a large area is a park even in Mumbai.. “The millet is on our own.” We walk around the clock tower, saying.
The clock tower is one of Mumbai’s oldest towers and guess what it was inspired by? From Big Ben in London. Why ? Oh, those Brits… By the way, right next to this building is the University, Mumbai High Court and the National Gallery of Modern Art.. You can also visit the National Gallery of Modern Art.
The city park in Mumbai, right behind the Clock Tower
- Marine Drive : In order to mingle with our Indian brothers in the evening in a calm and cool environment, the seaside of the city, or Marine Drive, which we can call the cordon,’ we are going to While tens of buildings where Mumbai’s wealthiest people live lie along the coast, we learn that Bollywood actors and prominent people of the city live in this region.
House prices are more than those of people who earn 2 dollars a day would never be able to buy if their 7 families combined. expensive. Prosperity is a very, very important value. Until you get it…
Sunset from Marine Drive
The next day it’s even hotter. Something comes to mind! “Why don’t we rent a car and drive wherever we want to go?” We decide to rent a car with a driver from the road.. Let stand. Let’s not tire ourselves from the first day. Let’s learn the way procedure first! We start the negotiation with one of your older brothers.
Our problem is to go to areas outside the city and to a few important temples. “Secret. 1,500 Rupees. Oil is so expensive in India !” he begins to stubbornness.
What’s wrong, gas is so expensive?. I say “uncle”. “No more than 500 Rupees”. We turn and continue on our way, and then we start off with a light tap on our shoulder.. Again that “Uncle”. “Okay get 750 Rupees. So that’s something like 7 bucks.. We are accepting. He probably screwed us, but who cares.
We open the rug and say, “Drive it to the beaches, bro.” we hit the road saying. Our first stop is Marine Drive, the coastline of Mumbai, where we arrived yesterday evening.. But before that, we’re going to Chowpatty Beach, one of Mumbai’s most famous beaches, which in my opinion is quite ordinary.
And this is how there is a poverty. People are always sleeping on the ground.
- Chowpatty Beach : While Marine Drive is ending, Ckhovpati beach stretching along Navy Street is a place for those who want to swim and sunbathe. it was a frequented address. In addition, this beach is one of the most beautiful places where we can observe the daily life of the Mumbai people.
Children running on the beach, street food vendors offering you the widest variety of Indian food, crowded families, couples… Everyone is here.. After resting for a while and mixing with the public, we immediately make our way to the Hanging Gardens, namely the Hanging Gardens.
- Hanging gardens : Botanical garden The biggest reason we came to this garden, which is one of the most beautiful places in the world, is to photograph the beaches of Mumbai from a beautiful angle.. While we’re here, we take a walk in the park and make our way to the Jain temple.
Chowpatty Beach View from the Hanging Gardens
- Jain Temple : I have already summarized the Jain religion in the “Religions in India” section of my “India Travel Guide” article. This temple is one of the most important Jain temples in the city and even in the country.. We take off our shoes as we enter.. That smell is everywhere! But it is important to take off shoes!
After doing some research and talking, something draws our attention.. We see people with cheesecloth around their mouths and we learn that people belonging to this religion used to tie these cheesecloths so that the minerals in the air would not die.. Again, a surprise and crazy questions are going on in our minds.. Turns out this is just the beginning, we’ll find out later !
Jain Temple
2 in Mumbai. Today’s Route
The First Day We Arrived in Mumbai. Train Stations Are Always Climbing
Maybe it’s not fear, this feeling is something else.. Indescribable. I do not know. There is no hesitation, shyness in me.. But despite everything, there is still a curiosity.. Of course, there are beauties to be discovered in this city and country that I need to see, discover and tell.. There is nothing to afraid of. Gotta start somewhere. Hello India. I’ve come…
India’s Gateway. Our First Stop
We are leaving the hotel. I don’t know how to describe or put into words the happiness and excitement of being in India.. Let’s stay in a hotel in the heart and tourist center of Mumbai.” because we say, we are close to everywhere. Especially cafes, restaurants, street vendors… Everything is here. We are walking along its main street, Colaba Causeway.
I think it was one of the most crowded places in the city where I saw the most tourists.. Do not believe the street vendors in this area, which should be seen both day and night.. Do not trust those who come to you and try to sell bracelets, ask for money, or sell ridiculous items!