First Impressions of Mumbai

The journey in from airport was a sight and sound sensation that we will likely never forget.

Of course peeping horns. Of course cars and tuk tuks dodging and weaving between the bikes and small lorries.....traffic totally without lanes......but with emotion and 2 second roared rage only Italians can appreciate (oh and the folk of Marrakech). Of course shanty town slums at the airport and on the road into Mumbai proper. All this was to be expected. This is what the books told us. But what about the new space age airport terminal, modern business districts and San Fran copying bridges linking the islands of old Bombay. Oh and the stray dogs and people looking in bins to recycle food an materials #firstimpressions.

The Four Seasons is not the Taj Mahal Hotel but is not far off. Staff accompanying our every step eager to help and assist, and ask how our stay is, and whether our room is the right temperature, and can the concierge help, and can I carry your bags, and mop your brow and waft you with palm leaves to keep you and your beer cool.....and yes I am sure they want to ask - does your a:se need a wipe?To be honest normally this would bother me but not today, it's all part of the welcome to Mumbai. 

Small NOTE: There is a hangover from recent terrorist acts in that there are multiple security checks and bag and body scans to be had+ mirrors under cars and taxis to be observed. Better safe than sorry - whilst noted it so far has not made us feel the least uneasy.

Room 1504, a double deluxe, with a sea view: "kind sirs I hope you enjoys your stay". wow-wow-wow. For the price of a night at Oxford Business Park Premier Inn you get: two king size dream beds, shag pile deep enough to loose Archie the dog (a @one_woman_dig reference), a bathroom that the Ritz would be proud of, and wall to ceiling views of the Mumbai skyline over looking the sea. We stared for an hour out of the window just watching the scene below and in front of us which included a Muslim Quarter slum and a sweat shop factory area - as Con said an economy all on its own with its own commercial district, kids playing cricket in the squares and the sound of the Mullahs singing out the call to prayer. By night part of the slum lit up to attract passers by in what's got to be some sort of small brothel - not that I would know mind - a fact that we will clarify if we ever get the bottle to explore this part of town at night.To be honest apparently the slums in Mumbai are not renowned for violence or crime (so MR Geography AS student tells me) - so you never know we might just be able to validate that fact at later stage.

So tomorrow we venture out on our first official trip to the Laundry!, another blue mosque and a sacred temple - before a swim, the gym and a curry in one of the local traditional restaurants.

Regards 

#the MumbaiTwo