This is an aerial photograph and the numbers point to familiar landmarks in the city.

How many of these can you identify.

To find out the correct answers and to read Geve’s post, hop over to the Google Earth Community.

I’m relying on the fact that most of us in this city, live on little oases or islands of our own madness and know very little about the rest of the place. And for outsiders, the beehive is positively mind-boggling anyway. So here’s a special edition of how-to-survive Mumbai by a thoroughbred Mumbaiker.

I always think of the railway network as the central nervous system of this city. It is fairly impossible to get lost in this city. The minute you find yourself out of sorts, you just make your way to the nearest railway station and voila! You’re back on the Mumbai lifeline.

There are three train lines in Mumbai – the Western line, the Central line and the Harbour line. The Western line starts at Churchgate while the other two, both begin in Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Oh how I hate that name! It’ll always be V.T. to me). Central and Harbour run together for about 3 stations and then diverge. Central meets Western at Dadar. Harbour on the other hand, rather tricky, forms a ‘Y’, forking off at Wadala, with one arm ending at Andheri and the other moving on towards Panvel.

Since the city is essentially one long strip of islands going North-South, the train lines run that way. Every station has an East and a West side (barring the terminuses of course). Everything in this city is measured by this. Simple logic check: The sea is always on your right when traveling up to town.

Some of the stations on the three lines are designated ‘Fast’ due to their status as key points in the city. Slow trains stop at every station while fast trains stop only at ‘fast’ stations. The exceptions to the fast train rule (that I know of) are the Western line which stops at every station between Churchgate and Mumbai Central before picking up the ‘fast’ pace. If it is a Borivili local it also slows down, stopping at every station after Andheri on.

Each station has a designated 1 or 2 letter code. Careful with these though, ideally these should be standard considering that all 3 train lines are plugged into each other…but they are not.

A step-by-step how-to on making a local train journey in Mumbai:

a. Finding the stations: Figure out the best entry and exit stations. (This may be useful). These are not immediately obvious and I would not recommend relying on the postal address to tell you the best station. Sometimes the nearest station isn’t the one mentioned on the code or you may be closest to really maddening station and the next ’slow’ one may be a far easier alternative. Ditto on the exit station too. If you are meeting someone at the other end, ask where you should get off. And if your friend doesn’t know either, ask someone who does know. Forget all you’ve heard about this city’s cold-heartendness, people are always willing to help. At worst case, ask the clerk who sells tickets at the counter or the shopkeepers at the station.

b. Buy a ticket: Most stations have a counter on the East and the West side each. A few have them on the overbridge (in addition or in isolation). By default there will be one at the entrance and if you don’t see it, ask someone. It is a fineable offence to travel without a ticket and the T.C. is not likely to be impressed by the story that you were looking for the counter. Please keep your ticket on you for the entire duration of the ride and do not discard until you are safely out of the station. (This may seem obvious but from friends who’ve gotten into trouble for throwing away the ticket after buying it, I know it isn’t) The rules are simple, you should know them and if you don’t, then ask. Of note, probably the one place you can get change is at the train ticket counters. I could be wrong but I’ve haggled with auto-rickshaw drivers, bus conductors and shopkeepers over the elusive 1 or 2 rupee coins but never with an attendant in the train booking counter.

c. Find the train you need to take: The major stations have indicators at the entrance showing the terminus points and departure time of trains leaving from each platform. The smaller stations will usually have them on the overbridges, one each positioned near the staircase going down to the relevant platform. If these two don’t exist, check the one on the platform though this can be a tedious job if you are on a multi-platform station and end up having to run up and down staircases.

d. The compartment: Once you figure out the platform, find out the compartment you have to get into. Mumbai trains have a first-class and a second-class. Most of the compartments are ‘general’ which means both men and women can travel in them but 2 (or 3 depending on which line you’re on) compartments on each train are for ‘ladies’ only. Of these one compartment turns into a ‘general’ after 21:00. Confused? Don’t be. The compartments are marked with red stripes for first-class general and green stripes for first-class ladies. Seasoned travelers know the exact spot on the platform that their compartment will stop at so you can assess from the crowd milling around where you should be. If all else fails, ask. This city may be busy but there will always be people willing to help you.

e. Getting in: This is the biggie, isn’t it? The crowds are intimidating for any new traveler (and hell, some of the old ones too!) Local travelers usually have their little tips and tricks on how to but for the bulk of it, it is simply about gearing up and getting ready to fight for that brief few seconds. Please make sure to stand at least 2 feet away from the edge of the platform….even if you see other people standing closer. Falling incidents, getting run over are common enough. Besides, when the train arrives, you’ll see people hanging on 3-deep and a lot of them have the nasty habit of reaching out and slapping the bystanders. Don’t ask me why, that’s how it is and you just learn to find a way around it.

You are also advised to tie off/put away any loose ends. Flying dupattas, saree palluvs, scarves, stoles and bag straps can becomes nooses when you are caught in the crunch. Preferably keep both hands empty and nothing in a pocket that can be easily accessed. If you are carrying a handbag, wear it the wrong way with the flap pointing towards your body to avoid pickpockets. And finally, wear sensible shoes.

The worst way to get in is go barging right into the center and getting knocked down by the bar in the middle…or worse still…stuck with limbs of each side getting pulled in either direction. I’m not exaggerating, it is fairly painful, not to mention immensely dangerous if this happens as you run the risk of getting stampeded, fractured or falling off when the train starts moving.

Getting in from the very corner seems to be the easiest way but this is a trick mastered by very experienced travelers since you have to not just where the compartment arrives but the exact spot of its corner. Then you have to ensure you are far away enough to avoid the slappers, hang back to avoid being carried along in the current of people getting off and rush forward just at the right time to be able to get in. Not recommended…you don’t have to be the first to get in. Getting in last isn’t a good idea either since you’ll end up standing on the sideboard, feeling pushed outward everytime someone breathes. The middle is the best option.

f. Staying in: I cannot stress how dangerous (and uncomfortable) it is to hang off or even stand on the footboard. Besides the obvious dangers of falling off, you will also be bombarded by a volley of abuses by people inside the train who are being suffocated and resent that you at least have some breathing air. Then you will also be flattened by the new wave of entrants at every station. You are not likely to get a seat unless you are at the terminus point, at least 10 minutes ahead of departure time and that only on a Sunday or holiday.

The seat running from window to window up against the wall can seat 8 Mumbaikers peaceably (and I still resent overweight people when I travel by train…it may not be their fault, but what the hell, in a space-starved compartment, even a few inches extra, inconvenience everyone else). The other seats facing them can seat 3 and a half each. What’s 3 and a half? Of, that means 3 people crammed in tightly while the fourth jams into the 2-inch space left, sitting sideways with legs in passage. About 6 or 7 people can stand in the space between these two rows of seats. It is a common practice when you get into a compartment where all seats are taken, to check where everyone is getting off and ‘reserve’ the seat from there on by telling them. The seatee will in turn help you get the seat when they get up and stand by you if there is any dispute on the seat. Does that sound funny? Try standing in a sardine-packed train for a 40-minute journey, survive one of the frequent fights that erupt and you’ll be more than willing to bargain for a chance to park your butt for 5 minutes. These rules are taken as the law among train-travellers.

g. Getting off: Prepare at least 2 stations in advance. Of note, some trains have a list of the stations stuck to the inside of the compartment just above the entrance. If not, once again, ASK. If you are sitting, stand up, collect your baggage and start the process of moving out towards the central passage.

Do not try to reach the exit since this is neither fruitful nor good Mumbai manners. People will be getting in and out in the interim stations and besides risking being carried off into the wrong station, it is a severe inconvenience for people trying to get in or out. As you near your station, do check if the people ahead of you are getting off as well or whether they are part of the ‘interim/ at the next station’ crowd. If they are, it is perfectly permissible to yell the station that you are getting off at and try to get some leeway to move forward.

Under no circumstances should you get off a train that is moving, even if at a speed slower than your walk. You may be a superb athlete and/or in great condition. If you want to keep things that way just don’t get off a moving train. For starters, speed is not the only thing. There will be (as is the case everywhere in Mumbai) people around. The crowd trying to get in will not appreciate an overeager traveler jumping off into their arms, the crowd inside will cluck in disapproval thinking of the trouble they’ll have trying to get off over your body since it is assumed that you will only fall flat. As a reverse of the getting in, the middle is the best place to be. That way you aren’t pushed out too early and you won’t get swept back in with the current of the incoming crowd. The key to surviving Mumbai’s crowds is to know the current.

And finally my 7 quick survival tips for Mumbai trains:

1. Practise holding your breath at long intervals. Preferably in hot, smelly conditions. Consider carrying an oxygen cylinder, fitted to your cap.
2. Lose as much weight as possible. You are never too thin for a Mumbai train
3. Do stretching exercises. You can also never be too tall for a Mumbai train. But do learn how to duck the holders on the ceiling. Of note, the ones on the Central and Harbour line trains are set lower than the ones on the Western line. Are Western liners just taller?
4. All loose ends must be tucked in, wrapped, knotted. No flying dupattas, palluvs, stoles, bag-straps.
5. Wear closed shoes. Preferably with thick soles and pointed toes to edge your way in
6. Carry a bag that doesn’t bulge too much, doesn’t open easily, will not separate from its handle/strap on pressure and can fit comfortably under your armpit.
7. Wear chest-pads. Elbow-guards too, with spikes if possible.

Bon voyage!

The following is a list of Eats that are truly Mumbaikerish. Not to be mistaken with 7 Eating places which will follow in the week ahead.

1) Vada Pav

The poor man’s snack. Potato Patty pressed in the middle of bread with chutney/sauce. As simple as it can get. Bang for the buck. Perfect pick up and go food. Found at nearly every street corner. Bombay’s answer to the New York Hot Dog. Should be had piping hot at a roadside vendor only. Never eat in a restaurant…its a fake if its served in a restaurant

2) Bhel

Mix some rice puffs with sev, onions, potatoes, teekha and meetha chutney add some crushed poori’s and lo and behold you have the Bhel. World over its called Bombay Bhel, here is is just bhel. Its many cousins include Sev Puri, Dahi Batata Puri, Pani Puri et al. A perfectly sumptious vegetarian snack. Can never go wrong. Has to be had freshly mixed, preferably at the stall. Definitely tastes better at a roadside hawker than in a posh restaurant.

3) Sheekh Kebab

Perfectly skewered and grilled pieces of meat cut in small bite sized botis. Its various cousins include the longer sheekh kebabs, khiri, kaleji, gurda, and in some cases chicken too. Tastes best when fresh off the charcoal grill. Onions and nimbu sprinkled over with green chutney makes it a wonderful evening/night snack. Enhances the taste and experience of alcoholic drinks

4) Roadside Chinese

Hungry Eyes, Dragon of China, Hunan Emperor, China King, are just some of the flashier names of chinese tapris all over the cities. The food is cooked only when u order it and the speed at which it is cooked is a sight to behold. Not the tastiest of meals but then everything tastes good when it is hot. Sweet corn chicken soup and Half Manchurian rice are the prize winners though lollipops come a close second best.

5) Pav Bhaji

The one dish that had north Indian origins and was bastardized by the cooks of Bombay. Its now better than the original…whatever it was. A medley of veggies mixed with tomatoes have the shits beaten out of them. They are pulverized into a puree like texture and with spices make up an amazing meal. Has to be had with a slice of butter (diet be damned) and sliced onions and oil fried in butter. If your hands aint oily, you aint eating it correctly.

6) Mewad Ice Cream

There are the Naturels and the Gokuls of the city but nothing beats the simple taste of Mewad Ice Cream and Fruit Salad. Be it Anjeer Draksh, Badam Pista, or the full or half fruit salad with icecream, nothing ever tasted better. Still at Rs 5, it gives a fantastic value for money taste.

7) Pepsi Cola, Gola, Sherbet

Pepsi Cola here is not the coke rival I am talking about. Its the long thin tube of plastic containing frozen ice in different flavors. There are milk varieties too. It was staple food in my childhood and I dare say it still is. So is the ice golawala and the sherbet he makes. One has to try the tiranga….or the tricolor gola there and show their patriotism.

So now as your mouth is watering….what are your 7 favorite Mumbai Eats ?

Things to keep in mind while shopping Make sure you demand for a bill after every purchase (Not applicable when it comes to street side shopping)
Always bargain. You will almost never be told a reasonable price at the first go
Do not buy from the very first shop you enter/vendor. Visit as many shops/vendor as possible and buy where you get the best bargain
Try and be a regular customer for one or two shops, so that the shopkeepers know you and you get better discounts than others

Heera Panna Shopping Centre
The Heera Panna Shopping Centre, located at Haji Ali, is one of the oldest shopping centers in Mumbai. It came into existence much before the mall culture hit the city and even after that, the shopping centre consisting of 144 shops, is still thriving. Heera Panna is a blissful place for all shopping freaks. Clothes, foot wear, accessories, music, jewellery, you name it, they have it and at great prices. This electronic haven is something you can’t get enough of, you will find the latest phone or gadget at unimaginably low prices.
It is not only a haven for small retail shops but also big brands, such as Titan, that have been in existence ever since the shopping centre first started. On the other hand, brands like Pepe, Spykar and Nokia have recently entered the place. The latest ones being Nike and Reebok.

Chor Bazaar
This is Mumbai’s famous Thieves Market where bargain-hungry tourists rummage for Ming vases and Muranos at throwaway prices. The main avenue is Mutton Street, flanked by rows of little antique shops that look like musty attics and sell just about anything from old ship parts, grandfather clocks and gramophones, to crystal chandeliers and old English tea sets. Others offer authentic Victorian furniture, wonderful for browsers, antiquarians and restorers. You will find each and every type of article, such as antiques, hardware, tools, wooden carvings, statues, figures, silver coins, engines, you name it and they’ll probably have it and sell it a reasonable price. P Because it is centrally located you can easily spend hours here. Some vendors are also accepting credit cards (but then you need more bargaining skills). Maybe you will find an old piece of antique belonging to the Maharaja’s or a reproduction of it. Check it out for yourself!
Although bargains are sometimes staggering, most of the shop owners are pretty street smart, and could easily take a self – styled aesthete for a ride, so brush up on your art before you go. This is the place where you get everything you would need — car horns, old paintings and even antique furniture. Today, you get valid bills with almost every purchase.
Most of the items on sale are purchased in auctions, through collectors or through people who want to sell off their old possessions. These things are bought after a thorough check.
Most, if not all, of the items available here are antique replicas and not authentic antiques.
On Fridays, all the shops in Chor Bazaar are shut and other vendors sell their wares on the street. In this Friday market, your bargaining skills will be tested. You can get an article quoted at Rs200, for as less as Rs20 if you know how to bargain shamelessly. The Friday market is a tradition more than 100 years old.
It is unlikely that shops in Chor Bazaar will compromise much on their initial quoted rate. At the most, they will reduce 15 to 20 per cent.

Kalbadevi Market
No visit to Mumbai is complete without a foray into the bazaars of Kalbadevi, north of Crawford Market. This is the heart of ethnic Mumbai, known as The Native Town in British times. The narrow lanes of this predominantly Muslim area, hemmed in by laundry-draped chawls, are a seething mass of people who bring the local traffic to a standstill. It is here that you can buy anything from jewellery (Zaveri Bazaar), material (Mangaldas Market), household goods (Bhuleshwar Road), stationery (Abdul Rehman Street) or electrical items (Lohar Chawl).

Crawford Market
Among the most vibrant markets in the city that jostles with life and enthusiasm, is Crawford market situated on the North of Victoria terminus in South Mumbai. Crawford market is famous for its wholesale fruits, fresh vegetables and poultry market.
Built in 1871, Crawford market is also known as Jyotiba Phule Market and more than just a wholesale market dealing with food items. You can marvel the grand architecture of this covered market that has a striking colonial imprint to it. The market is nestled between the British fort and the local town. Depicting a fusion of both Flemish and Norman architecture, Crawford market has a bas relief portraying Indian peasants in wheat field just above the main entrance.
With an aura of Victorian London, Crawford market owes its name to Arthur Crawford, Bombay’s first Municipal Commissioner. The market exhibits mountains of fruit and fresh vegetables that are sold here at wholesale rates; you can also get fresh meat at the poultry section nearing to the Crawford market. There are certain stalls that sell smuggled cheese and chocolate. The market is in the center of a whole network of lanes where you can pick up almost anything.

Linking & Hill Road, Bandra
Many people come from all over Mumbai and outside to shop on Linking Road. One can find everything from international brands to clever fakes to cheap Chinese goods here. There is a mix of departmental stores, brand outlets, street side carts and regular shops that sell mainly clothes and accessories. One can also find many restaurants and cafes dotted along the miles long stretch of this road.
Though it’s official name has been Vitthalbhai Patel Marg for a very long time, everyone in Mumbai still prefers to call it Linking Road.
Hill Road is also famous for a variety of shops. Vendors sell unusual and quirky designs in footwear, 70s and 80s fashion (mostly western wear) bags, belts and so on at a very reasonable side. Once you have done shopping you can cool down with a chilled beer at Temptations opposite Globus.

Colaba Causeway
Undoubtedly one of the most charming places in Mumbai, Colaba Causeway could proudly be termed the `Culture Square’ of Mumbai. The look and mood are reflective of its cosmopolitan feel; a classic example of the clichéd `East meets West’ — or rather Mumbai-meets-Bombay. Shopping or simply browsing through the Causeway in the evening is a pleasure since the area is a delightful mosaic of colors at play under bright yellow lights. An assorted mix of people throngs the Causeway footpaths, exploring the possibility of a good deal. The pavements are lined with stalls that display the trendiest of trinkets and fashion accessories at good prices. Scarves and stoles are strewn resplendently all over and are available in a variety of fabrics and styles. The chic look can cost as less as Rs 50 (one-third of the shop prices). Another favorite among the young crowd are the shops that sell semi-precious stones along with wooden, glass and porcelain beads. The variety of shapes sizes and designs is mind-blowing. What makes it better is that you can combine them the way you want and get accessories personalized on the spot, thus making it popular among people who want to make their own fashion statement. A visit to Colaba would be incomplete without a quick deal at the bag stalls. Scattered all over, they are available in rare ethnic patterns and styles. Some of them are overwhelmingly intricate with sequins and mirror work. You can also find an unusual collection of purses made of jute, cane and even wood here. A great piece of work would cost you anywhere between Rs 60 and Rs 100 here. One cannot afford to neglect the vibrant mojri stalls round the corner. You can buy the most delicate and fine handwork for your footwear for a steal! These can be made to order too and would not cost more than Rs 300. It is also one of the few places in Mumbai to offer Kolhapuri chappals in varied hues and shades.

Dadar Flower Market
The Dadar flower market also known as phool galli contains hundreds of flower shops, with bargain prices compared to the retail market. For instance, a decorative rose that retails for $0.18 to $0.23 is available here for $0.45 per dozen–less than $0.04 per flower. In addition to the crowds of merchants picking up goods for their retail outlets for resale purposes, many women come here to take advantage of the wonderful prices. So next time you want to send your better half a bouquet of red roses you know were to go.

With a number as high as 15 million, there are only a handful among its population who have managed to standout and make a place for themselves in the hierarchy of our dubious society. And keeping in mind the “7 Things about Mumbai” theme, here is my list of 7 most popular citizens of this city, who in very real terms ‘Live Life King size’.

Bal Thackeray – When you mention Mumbai and Politics in the same breadth, the one name that immediately makes its presence felt is, Bal Thackeray, the man behind the now “tainted” political party, Shiv Sena. Often referred to as the ‘Tiger’ by his followers, the cartoonist turned politician has been a center point of many controversies ever since he founded the hardline Hindu party more than 35 years ago. Frankly speaking, I completely detest this man and his party’s so-called philosophy of “sons of the soils”. The reasons are innumerable – their intimidating and (often) violent campaigns, fanatic beliefs, self appointed moral police behavior, vandalism and last but certainly not the least, Mr. Thackeray’s role in sparking anti-Muslim violence in Mumbai, which led to more than 1,000 deaths.

However, no matter how corrupt and immoral his actions have been over the years, the fact still remains that even today Bal Thackeray is described as the uncrowned monarch of the western Indian state of Maharashtra.

The Bachchan Parivaar – Claiming the thrown from the Kapoor clan, Amitabh Bachchan and his superstar parivaar, without any hesitation be considered as Bollywood’s First Family. The elder son of Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Amitabh was a former stage actor, radio announcer and freight company executive in Shaw Wallace in Calcutta, before coming to the land of dreams, Mumbai. Despite early failures, in no time the Indian film industry was declared a ‘One Man Industry’, and Amitabh Bachchan its undisputed king. Later on, Amitabh Bachchan married actress Jaya Bhaduri in 1973 and had two kids, the now most sought after actor Abhishek Bachchan and up-coming television anchor, Shewta Nanda.

But as they say, “fame doesn’t come easy”, the Bachchan family has had its share of ups and downs – cold war with the Gandhis, (rumored) dispute with Shah Rukh Khan, ABCL failure, extra-marital affairs and the most recent, the Farmer’s Land controversy.

Regardless of such bad publicities, the Bachchan Family’s strong-hold in the Hindi Film Industry and their huge fan following has never been affected. Plus with the addition of the new bahu, the former Ms. World and Bollywood’s International Face, Aishwarya Rai – The Bachchan Family today is labeled as one of the most expensive brand in the country.

Ambani Brothers – The Fortune group magazine ‘Business 2.0′, just recently came out with the list of “The 50 Who Matter Now” – and guess what? Apna Ambani bhais managed to get a spot for themselves, which proudly announces them as one of the world’s 50 most influential people in business. The Ambani Legacy is no less than a perfect Bollywood Pot Boiler story of rags to riches. And what makes their story even more entertaining – is their inner bitter rivalry.

"These billionaire brothers from India are locked in a bitter intra-family rivalry, and each seems intent on leading the group of companies he inherited from their late father in a different direction," Business 2.0 said on why they matter.

While brother Anil maybe slightly rejoicing over Mukesh bhaiya’s SEZ trouble, one thing is for sure there can nothing that can stop these business boys from stacking their bank accounts.

Ekta Kapoor – She is bold, she is aggressive and is known in the television industry for her massive tantrums but the one fact about this young Kapoor is that “you” can never ignore her. Barely in her mid-twenties, Ekta Kapoor entered the television backed with nothing but few “innovative” ideas and the burden of her, (once) superstar dad’s expectations. And as they say…the rest is history. Ekta, without any doubts is the only woman who dominates and demands her way in the small-screen entertainment world.

Agreed, Balaji Productions have over-burdened us with their conniving in-laws, bitchy daughters, aagyakari sons, vampy mothers with visually painful dressing sense and never-ending sagas of joint families (that would put even the folks at Rajshri Productions to shame) – but in the business where high TRP rating is the ONLY goal, Queen Ekta is a pro at it .

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar - Probably the only cricketer in the history of Indian cricket to be widely considered to be one of the greatest batsmen of all time. He currently holds the records for the most cumulative runs in One-Day Internationals, and the most number of centuries scored in both One-day Internationals and Test cricket. 34 years old and still going strong….do I really need to say more!

Meeran Borwankar - A tom-boyish teenager for whom love meant nothing but her bike and whose headstrong attitude made her college lecturer’s think of her as India’s finest police officer in the making. And very soon she turned their dreams into reality, in 1981 Meeran Borwankar joined the Police Force and took over responsibilities which were primarily asserted as a “Man’s Job”. But this was just the beginning; soon she was made Mumbai’s Joint Commissioner (Crime), a portfolio one would barely expect a woman to hold. In 2006, she was presented with President’s medal for meritorious service, one of the most honored and prestigious award in Government Services.

In my opinion Mrs. Borwankar is definitely a positive role model for many young girls, who dare to dream beyond household chores, marriage, children and other womanly expectations of the society. Though last but certainly the most controversial of the lot,

Himesh Reshammiya - From production assistant to composing music to singing and now acting, this Mumbai lad has surely come a long way. Today his trademark style of sporting a baseball cap, stubble, fitting jeans, and a belt with an oversized buckle – has made him a house hold name but it’s his nose which has gifted him the stardom and others envious of his popularity.

If you ask for my two bit on His Himeshness, it would be – good musician, bearable singer and a pathetic actor.

Mumbai is a city surrounded by water. And it is not a surprise that Mumbaikars love to find their bit of solace by the sea side. It may be just an outing on a Saturday or Sunday with the wife and kids, or maybe some low cost lovey dovey time with your girlfriend, or just to unwind yourself with your friends, the sea side is one of the first choices for Mumbaikars. Even the tourist have all the sea side location prioritized in their must visit places, even though in a weird way they are seeing the same sea every time i.e. Arabian Sea. So what makes these various sea sides of the same sea different? Actually it is not much of the sea that people look forward to but the flavor each place by the sea has to offer. So here we go with the 7 most popular waterfront public locations of Mumbai

Gateway of India
Mumbai’s most famous monument, this is the starting point for most tourists who want to explore the city. It was built as a triumphal arch to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary, complete with four turrets and intricate latticework carved into the yellow basalt stone. Ironically, when the Raj ended in 1947, this colonial symbol also became a sort of epitaph: the last of the British ships that set sail for England left from the Gateway. Today this symbol of colonialism has got Indianized, drawing droves of local tourists and citizens. Behind the arch, there are steps leading down to the water. Here, you can get onto one of the bobbing little motor launches, for a short cruise through Mumbai’s splendid natural harbor.
Marine Drive
Marine Drive is a 3 km long avenue in South Mumbai, shaped like an inverted ‘C’. It has six lanes and run along the coast and is a natural bay on Arabian Sea. It connects Nariman Point to Babulnath and Malabar Hill. The chief attraction of Marine Drive is the Promenade, officially known as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road. Sunset views here are just fabulous and palm trees line the Promenade. During weekends ppl from various parts of the city (even suburbs) can be founf found here taking a stroll enjoying the beautiful sunset.

Many restaurants and famous hotel groups can be found here. Walkeshwar on Marine Drive, houses the governor of Maharashtra is another elite area of Mumbai. Marine Drive boasts of highest real estate prices in India. The art deco buildings from 1920s and 30s on the sea front, belong largely to wealthy Parsi community, and are second only in number to Miami in the United States. Its shape has also earned Marine Drive the title of the Queen’s Necklace, as the street lights lit in the night look like sparkling diamonds from a high point. It is also said to be the world’s largest viewing gallery.

Chowpatty
Chowpatty is Mumbai’s most famous beach. During the day, it is the hangout of the happily unemployed who snooze under the shade of its stunted trees. But in the evening the atmosphere is more like a carnival: kids screaming on Ferris wheels or taking pony rides, wayside astrologers making a quick buck, monkey shows, and even the odd self -styled gymnast who will demonstrate amazing yogic postures for a small fee. At one end is a row of bhelpuri shops hawking Mumbai’s most popular snack: crisp puffed rice and semolina doused in pungent chutneys, all scooped up with a flat, fried puri. You might even catch a film shoot or a street play. In short, for most tourists Chowpatty is where the action is.
Juhu Beach
Juhu Beach has practically everything that Chowpatty offers and is a favorite place to visit for all Mumbaites. Juhu Beach has Arabian Sea to its west and Santacruz and Vile Parle to its east. Children simply love this place and it is a vendor’s delight. It has an open-air restaurant, innumerable food counters, various amusement games, horse/camel ride and electronic robots who will predict your future. It is also a popular venue for immersions during the famous festivals of Bombay or Mumbai such as Nariyalpoornima and the Ganesh Chaturthi. You can splurge on spicy Bhelpuri, Sevpuri, Pani Puri, Chaat, local icecream known as Kulfi and golaas (try the milkmaid golaa, they are superb).

The variety of fun and amusement available here includes professional masseurs, shooting galleries and fun rides for kids, contortionists, snake charmers, pony leaders and monkey trainers. You can buy balloons, flowers, seashells and other trinkets here too. Unfortunately the beach is pretty much polluted these days. There are various NGOs who are trying to get this place back in decent shape.

It is also very popular among the elite living in the residential apartments and bungalows in the surrounding area for morning walks and it is not uncommon to see famous Bollywood celebrities on Juhu, jogging in the morning, albeit with their security guards and dogs surrounding them.

Haji Ali Mosque
Situated at the end of a 500m causeway protruding into the Arabian Sea is the whitewashed Haji Ali Mosque, containing the tomb of a Muslim saint Haji Ali who is believed to have meditated on these very shores. It is said that Haji Ali was a wealthy Muslim merchant who renounced all his worldly belongings before embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca. He died in Mecca and the casket miraculously drifted and came to the spot where the mosque and tomb were built by his devotes in the early 19th century. The Mosque lies opposite to the famous Mahalakshmi temple and can be approached from Lala Rajpatrai Marg.
Haji Ali is a handsome example of Islamic architecture standing on an island. In fact, this holy place is visited by many devotees as well as visitors who are attracted by the beauty of the site. The widespread belief is that whoever prays to the deity here is never disappointed. A number of pilgrims come here for thanksgiving. Haji Ali’s sister also followed her brother’s footsteps and became his companion in ascetic suffering. There is a mausoleum built for her a little distance away on Worli Bay.
The mosque has a narrow concrete pathway about a kilometer built over water to reach the shrine and can only be reached at low tide. A short flight of marble steps leads into the dargah where the body of the saint is enclosed in a semi-circled tomb,in an exquisite silver frame engraved with all the ninety-nine names of Allah. The top of the tomb is covered with a zari cloth and flowers and other offerings by devotees lie scattered around the tomb. The devotees pray and touch their heads and lips to the cloth. Ladies, as is the case in all mosques, have a separate room for prayers. All visitors need to remove their shoes before entering the shrine.
During high tide the walkway to the mosque is submerged in the sea making the impression that the mosque and the tomb are floating in water. Check the tide times in the local paper before visiting.
The courtyard of the mosque is surrounded by refreshment stalls and other kinds of shops which take away the solemnity of the place. Haji Ali is dargah is an integral part of Mumbai’s heritage and Indian culture. The rocks exposed at low tide behind the mosque are a favorite spot if you are interested in catch sea breezes. The best time to visit is on Friday or on Thursday.
Bandstand – Bandra
The Bandstand Promenade is a kilometer long walkway along the sea on the west side of Bandra, a suburb of Mumbai, India. Less than a decade old, it is simultaneously a popular hang out spot, a jogging track and a park.
The promenade starts from St.Andrew’s Church and ends at Lands End — which it literally is — a protrusion of land surrounded by the sea.
Visible along the promenade are expensive bungalows and flats, some of which belong to Bollywood movie stars like Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Shabana Azmi, Rekha among others.
Manori, Gorai, Marve and Erangal beaches
All these are excellent, safe suburban beaches, linked by a rocky headland and accessed across a small creek from mainland Mumbai. The Gorai creek barge looks like a jalopy but is sturdy and serviceable. On the other side, Manori beach is a ten minute rickshaw ride away, fringed with swaying palm trees and a row of beachside cottage hotels. The most famous of these is Manori Bel, a cluster of white washed Spanish-style villas with clean bright rooms and charming wicker furniture. Some of the houses in Manori village also double as hotels where you can dump your belongings and order lunch before heading for the beach. Nearby Gorai is less expensive. The shacks for rent here are usually occupied by couples or picnic groups and the beach is full of dodging balls and flying frisbees. The sand is relatively clean and the water inviting.
Across the creek from Manori, on the mainland itself, Marve is the retreat of Mumbai’s beau monde. This is where most of India’s big industrial houses have their weekend bungalows — beautiful, sprawling mansions tucked along the winding coastal road. Hotels on this stretch mainly cater to corporate types who want to get away from the rat race and offer the standard five star amenities. Futher down at Erangal, the road peters out into a large fishing village inhabited by koli fisherfolk. At its southern tip there’s a derelict seventeenth century Portuguese fortress that affords an unbroken view of Mumbai’s famous skyline.

But on a suicidal occasion that one wants to remember the ways that Yamraj plays peek-a-boo with us here, one comes up against some rather bizarre options:

1. Love over sanskriti:

No, we aren’t cynics. We do believe that love conquers all and that celebration is joyous and should be shared. On the other hand, we’d think twice about setting up a gift shop for Valentine’s day outside a Shiv Sena shakha.

2. The grand outdoors:

The heat in this city is killing and we do love our seaside. Then again sleeping outdoors mayn’t be a good idea. Much less trying to experience the great outdoors on the Bandra boulevard. Even if you don’t have the money to go elsewhere. For who knows which filmstar or rich kid may choose to go drunken drag-racing just then?

3. Brick by brick we were built:

We believe in progress. We like to beautify our spaces. And yeah, we like money just like the next city…we’re the financial capital after all!!! Which may be why we let the shop on the ground floor get a face-lift. Even if it ignores all building safety norms.

4. Train travails:

Not to say that Mumbai isn’t a city for adventure. Feeling particularly suicidal tonight? Get into a Virar local. If you manage to make it intact, do whisper (rather loudly) to a friend in the opposite side of the compartment that you’re getting off at Bandra. Yes, the locals are very friendly and they’ll show you the way right upto heaven.

5.Money, money, money, must be funny in a rich man’s world:

Oh yeah, let it never be said that Mumbai is a city of angels blessing progress. Let us never be accused of the heinous crime of honest trading. Nor the depressing thought of ‘happy and successful’. The richer we are, the more we pay. Taxes, hafta and protection. We succeed, we make music, we make money and then it’s time to face the music.

6. The net of networking:

We’re right up the information superhighway though we have our share of dark alleys. Setting up a cybercafé is great but we mayn’t want to advertise our business on ‘orkut’ unless we were looking for some extra-bloody action. Alternately we could always promote international harmony by parading through Dadar carrying a certain green coloured flag. Guaranteed success if done the day India loses a cricket match to a certain neighbor.

7. Water woes:

Finally if all else fails we return to water. Wait for the monsoon and pray for a repeat of July 26th. Or just take a plunge off Aksa beach and stay there.

Just in case, I still do need to clarify this, most of this post has been in jest. I mean no disrespect for the dead and nor do I make light of the very real perils of life here. As a Mumbaiker, I’ve lived through two earthquakes, one gigantic flood, numberous bomb blasts, gang shootouts and communal riots. I’m extra cautious on December 6th as on February 14th and major religious/patriotic celebration dates. I’m also susceptible to being a casualty of bomb blast, train mishaps, building collapses, road accidents and general street crime. But I travel the length of this city every day, realizing fully well that death and danger to life could happen in the most unanticipated, most mundane ways possible. Each day, like in the jungle, is a fight for survival. Like everyone else, I swallow that thought and go on or make a joke of it. It’s just too much to bear otherwise.

Keep smiling, keep walking, Mumbai.

1) People asking me to turn off my lights on the motorbike in daytime.
If by mistake my headlight is on and I exit my compound, each and every single person on the street will say “Boss Light Light”. Its as if the world will end that instant unless I turned it off immediately. Its not like the BEST is going to charge me for it. And funnily all over the world, its mandatory as a safety regulation to have the headlights of motorcycles on at all times. They are called day light running lights.

2) Dumb people spitting out of moving vehicles
I hate it when people just spit out of a moving bus or car with nary a care for the other users of the road. As much as spitting is bad, this is even worse. In most cases if your window is down the spittle flies into your car and soils your clothes. If I had my way, I would keep a water gun, fill it with goo and catch up with the “spitter” and plaster him/her with goo.

3) Cabbies Driving around empty at 2 kmph
Empty cabs driving up and down busy roads at 2 kmph trying to pick up passengers. In doing so, they screw up the traffic even more.

4) Hawkers not allowing cars to park in front of their stalls
This especially happens on Linking road. First of all the hawkers are there illegally and then on top of it they dont want you to stop or park your car there, even if it is legal. Same goes for the stupid security guards outside designer shops, who also dont want you to stop in front of their shops. Its not like their shop hoardings are at ground level and no one will see them !!

5) Hijras
Hijras (eunuchs) drive me nuts. I can understand if they just wanna beg and move on, but they start touching and groping you, especially if you are on the bike or in an auto rickshaw.

6) People Talking incessantly on cellphones in indoor public areas
We have become a city of cellphone users but most lack the etiquette that needs to come along with it. You find people answering their cellphones in restaurants and theatres and talking away as if they are in their own living room. If you have to answer the call, excuse yourself and go to a place where you dont disturb others by your loud talking. And whats with the shouting on the cellphone. It is not mandatory to talk loudly. You can talk in a soft voice.

7) Shiv Sena
Everytime I think the city is moving forward economically and politically the ugly head of Shiv Sena rears up. The latest episode in Thane just proves that they have nothing constructive to do and are today a shame and abhoration on the name of the “Marathi Manoos”. When and how can the city get rid of this, the biggest nuisance ?

Lokhandwala, Andheri: Lokhandwala Complex, also known as Lokhandwala is a large residential and commercial area in Andheri, Mumbai. It is located approx 5 kms from Andheri Station (Andheri (w)). The name ‘Lokhandwala’ refers to the construction firm Lokhandwala Constructions Pvt. Ltd. (www.lokhandwala.com) , who were the primary developers of the suburb of Versova which was basically a marshland. The official name for the area, Shri Swami Samartha Nagar, is less well known. This is the abode of struggling and the upcoming starts. Villains, Stepmoms, Sisters, Best friends of the heroes and heroines stay here in Lokhandwala.

Lokhandwala has transformed from a largely residential suburb to one of the busiest markets, boasting complexes like the Infiniti shopping mall, Citi Mall as well as Cinemax, Fame Adlabs and Fun Republic Multiplexes.There are numerous designer boutiques and jewellery/ shoe shops owned by yesteryear film stars, or wives/close relative of film stars.
Most likely time of sighting: Weekend evenings

Juhu Beach: This is were the rich and famouse like to sweat out their extra pounds and keep those curvatious body in shape. Many Bollywood stars own bungalows in Juhu, famously including Amitabh Bachchan, Amrish Puri, as well as the Deols and numerous other stars and starlets. You will find the stars jogging with their oversized pedigree dogs along side and did I mention that they will also have a fleet of body gaurds sourrounding them.
Most likely time of sighting: Early mornings (Esp weekends)

Bandra: This is were the younger generation superstars like Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Sushmita Sen, Sanjay Dutt live. These stars can be found hanging around in the pubs/discs, coffee shops, restaurants in Bandra.
Most Likely time of sighting: Weekends/Evenings/Nights

J.W.Marriot: JW has this awesome Sunday lunch buffet for 1300/- per head. You will be feasting on some 60 plus variety of dishes which comprises of starters, main course, and desserts. You also get an additional bonanza of unlimited booze. Why am I talking about food?? Well here you will find may upcoming Bollywood celebrities licking their plate clean on Sunday afternoons
Most Likely time of sighting: Duh-ugh Sundays of course! You are likely to bump into at least one film start even on other days too.

Taj Hotel, Colaba: This is the pride of Mumbai and the rich and famous prefer to come and dine here all the way from back in the suburbs. Here is a tiny secret of Taj: Do you know that Superstars like Amitabh, Shahrukh have personalized cutleries with their names embossed on them?
Most Likely time of sighting: Any day any time.

Leelavati Hospital: Last but not the least the stars and their parivaar are treated here and here only exclusively. Here they have general ward, private ward and them there is VVIP ward which is for Bollywood big shots and politicians only. Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, John Abhraham are some who have made this an exclusive and unique destination for star sighting.
Most Likely time of sighting: As and when they/their family members fall ill.

Still if you havnt bumped into one bollywood start here is what I have found goofing around the net… Their residential addresses!!!!! Mind you I cant gaurentee you that all of them are the correct ones. Click here

On the occasion of India’s Independance, Mumbai Metrobloggers bring you the 7 things about Mumbai Series.

Over the next two weeks we will bring you 7 things, tastes, events, places, mannerisms, fads and a lot of other things that are unique to Mumbai. The idea is to bring out the best/worst of our city and then use that to improve whats bad and highlight whats good.

So watch out everyday, for a new list and jump into the discussion….no holds barred.