You never know where life will take you. My husband and I had never been to Asia but when our daughter got married in India where my son-in-law’s entire family lives, we flew into Mumbai before traveling to the wedding venue. With only one full day to explore the city, we planned to make the most of our experience.
Mumbai is located on Maharashtra’s coast. It is one of India’s largest and most populated cities and one of the most densely populated urban areas in the world. It was built on a site of ancient settlement, and took its name from the local goddess Mumba. It became known as Bombay during the British colonial period but the name Mumbai was restored officially in 1995, although Bombay remains in common usage.
We were surprised that the cost of staying overnight in Mumbai was very reasonable. That permitted us to stay in a fine hotel that provided excellent guest services and meal options. While we had researched the cost of city tours in advance of our trip, we decided to hire a driver who would take us to major attractions within Mumbai. It was easily arranged by the hotel’s concierge services. Not only did our driver regard our preferences, but he would drop us off and pick us up whenever we were ready. The cost for five of us in a mini-van was approximately USD $60 for about three to four hours of touring and we added a tip. Here are some of the places we were able to visit in our day’s excursion.
Gateway of India (above) – This beautiful structure was built to commemorate the visit of King George V in 1911. It is a magnificent stone archway.
Victoria Terminus (top) – Built in 1887, the station is a stunning Raj-era monument. India’s first steam engine left from this station and today 2.5 million commuters pass through every day.
Kalaghoda Art District – The area is the home to premier art institutions such as the Jehangir Art Gallery, the NGMA, and the Prince of Wales Museum.
The Bandra-Worli Sea Link – This much-admired modern bridge is a cable stayed bridge with pre-stressed concrete concrete-steel via ducts on either side that links Bandra in the western suburbs of Mumbai with Worli in south Mumbai.
Mumbai University – This major university in India is architecturally impressive. It is one of the key landmarks of Mumbai.
Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya – In this landmark place, Gandhiji lived, conversed with his colleagues, and influenced the nation in the image of his ideals of truth and non-violence. Today the site stands as a memorial to Gandhiji’s life and teachings. This house continues to inspire people from all walks of life.
Our children’s wedding was absolutely the highlight of our travels to India but the opportunity to explore and discover a bit about the country and its culture was very edifying.
Top photo: Victoria Terminus
Photos by Marina Kennedy
