Mumbai, Caves, Amazing laundry & Train

The morning started with a 1hr boat trip to the Elephant caves leaving from.the Gateway to India. Yet again we had to scramble through one boat to get to the boat we'd be travelling on.
Crossing to the island,both going out and returning, a flock seagulls flew close to the boat for prolonged period of time .The reason,...people bought crisps and were throwing them to the seagulls.
On arrival we had a short train ride followed by a climb up 120steps ,that I had no prior warning of ....It was.possible to be carried on a chair on poles that men would put on their shoulders and carry you to the top
Apart from the mind blowing risk ,I couldn't in all conscious let the men carry me up ,when I can walk
The climb was under cover and there were the inevitable market stalls all the way up...
Part way my guide decided to rest at a shop and I had an ice cream...a Magnum !
The Elephant caves were a temple for Lord Shiva ....I was not too thrilled with the place 😕.
On.the way down i was repeatedly approached to buy things ...
Its really tricky,as you know every person needs you to buy something but its just not possible. I did actually buy a couple of things.
On the return boat ride,my guide fell asleep...so basically asleep on duty 😴! Unlike with other guides I've had I felt we didn't really gel and so although not impressed, it was easier than chatting.He did however ,embrace and make my bucket list experiences possible , which were quite different than the agenda he'd been expecting to do. My agenda included the Prince of Wales museum which I wasn't keen to do ,as I had other things I hoped to see and do.The volume of traffic in India generally, impacts on available time to do things ,as getting around from A to B is mega challenging and extremely time consuming.
My guide told me that whilst Dehli is the Political capital of India 🇮🇳 Mumbai is the Commercial capital. It has a lighter vibe than Dehli, maybe because of being by the sea. It certainly does not have a seaside town vibe though, very much a City vibe.Historically Calcutta had been the Capital of India before Dehli
We returned to the mainland and went to see the University of Mumbai ,where Munir had studied.
This was followed by a stop at the Hanging gardens ...which were nothing special really in my view and rather overgrown .There was a big boot statue in the garden which looked odd and out of place.It was possible to get a panoramic view of the Marine Drive .The guide said its very nice to see during the evening when there's lights from all the properties along the waterfront. Marine drive is a curved road and when lit up looks sparkling like a necklace so is known as the Queen's necklace.
The highlights of my day followed, a stop at the famous Dhobi Gat laundry where thousands of items get washed by hand each day ,from all.over the city....It is historic and in the Guiness Book of Records for the most items of laundry washed by hand .All items are hand washed and scrubbed on stone slabs.then hung out to dry .No pegs are used ,the items are hung by placing them intertwined in ropes .The area extends as far as the eye can see. Apparently 2000 people live and work here .The job is particularly hard in the Monsoon season. Its highly likely that the sheets from my hotel in Mumbai are washed here ...and if so...I can confirm they were immaculately clean and comfortable. I'd heard about it and was dying to see it .It didn't disappoint! Totally incredible!
Next Bucket list experience was to go on the Mumbai trains.notoriously crowded but at 4pm when we went on ,it wasn't too bad and we went opposite to the flow of people...So, we went into the Centre of Mumbai as people were coming out at the end of the working day .
The guide encouraged me to jump off the train at the platform as it was slowing down....delighted to do so ,but having done so he then took me back on the train,through it and out the other side !🤣🤦‍♀️,so we were on another platform.
I absolutely love the film Slumdog Millionaire which is a love story and partly filmed at the Victoria Terminus and on the trains...and I play the song Jai Ho on repeat, on occasions.The whole thing resonates with my story with Munir .He would arrive in Mumbai and go home from there ,on the train.
Victoria Terminus is a Heritage site and the booking office in particular was beautiful!
My guide then left me but the driver dropped me at the Taj Mahal Hotel which is the most luxurious in Mumbai and also original.
On arrival, guards check underneath the car with a mirror and also check in the boot
I ran in to have a quick look round .It was very plush !..but also very busy ..The lobby was beautiful and spacious with a corridor of luxury shops.
On the main staircase a man was sitting cross legged ,playing an Indian musical instrument.
My lovely driver then returned me to my hotel.
A really good day where although I enjoyed the boat ride to the Elephant caves, that trip took a lot of time and effort for minimal benefit. However ,visiting the Dhobi Gat laundry, seeing the University Munir attended and best of all going on the infamous Mumbai trains were all fantastic.Read more