India (6) Sightseeing in Mumbai

We arrived in the dining area just in the nick of time for breakfast. After an international flight and only getting to sleep after 04:00, it's quite understandable that we felt like we were slightly in zombie mode. Despite arriving just as breakfast was about to end, we were helped so graciously - especially by Manoj, who tended to us in a very polite manner.

Santosh was right on time to pick us up. First stop:

The Gateway of India

Men and women queue separately for security reasons. Everyone is checked before proceeding further. Although - the check is anything, but thorough! They merely open the bag, seem to glance inside...and that's it!

This was the first iconic spot we visited and it was magnificent seeing this great structure before our eyes. The Gateway of India was built in memory of the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India in 1911. 

Be cautioned of photographers trying to convince tourists to allow them postcard-like pics. Because of the intense heat - especially at that time of day, we didn't stay around too long.

As we made our way back to the spot where we agreed to meet Santosh, a little girl with henna stamps wanted to stamp our hands. She was quite persistent and said that it would last for a week. I already had a hunch that it wasn't true, but my mum said that it doesn't matter - she was just a little girl trying to make money. Well! It was only after she adorned our hands with henna stamps that she told us it would be 10 Rupees for each stamp! She didn't tell us this before. Never mind. We put it down to experience.

Our next stop was Chhatrapati Shavaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (formerly known as Prince of Wales Museum). Please note the camera fees:

The museum is home to about 50,000 exhibits of ancient Indian history. There are 3 noted sections, namely: Art, Archaeology & Natural History. It can get terribly hot and claustrophobic inside. Don't forget your bottle of water and a fan.

Met my friend, Rajeev on Saturday night. We went to High Street Phoenix (formerly known as Phoenix Mills). 

Stopped for some chaat (best paani puri ever!) before proceeding to dinner. One of the best restaurants ever! Rajdhani. It was so good! They don't give you time to go hungry. They keep coming to fill up!  Despite a constant buzz of waiters coming to tend to your every need, it was a very chilled out atmosphere. Very clean... and the food? Absolutely scrumptious! Awesome night out with my friend :)