Mumbai : The much awaited

The journey to Mumbai began via our Train to Mumbai from Gorakhpur, Lokmanya Tilak Super Express on  13th March, 2014 at around 9:00 pm. After 48 hrs long journey of Train we finally reached LTT, Mumbai on  We were very exhausted because of train journey and  were delighted when we were picked up by our friend in Mumbai. Then from there we reached Hotel Shubhangan   around 5 am. The day had nothing much to do while we only rested in our hotel. We stayed in Mumbai till morning of 18th March , during which we visited many important landmarks of the magnificient city.

Day 1, March 14

Band Stand: 

We asked the auto bhaiya ( auto driver) about nearest tourist attraction from our hotel and came to know that Band fort was one. Band Fort was something like Garden of Dreams in Nepal, all famous for the couples in love. We came to spot the place as shooting spot of many Bollywood movies like: Tarey Jameen Pey, Wanted etc. I saw sea for the first time (Arabian sea) and was amazed the water mass intensity ranging to a distance very far. 

We clicked some photos together and were also happy to see the magnificent Bandra-Worli Sea Link. 

Juhu beach:  

We visited Juhu beach and quite a few lesser known beaches. Juhu was all lighted up and glittered beautifully in the evening. The surrounding was vibrant - the foods stalls showcasing different variety of local foods, the photographer were busy spotting and clicking tourists, many mumbaites hanging around for evening walk, many tourists hovering here and there etc was amazing to observe. We also played in water, felt the sand slipping from below our feet and got ourselves clicked. We also tasted the famous local food: Pau Bhaji ( Bread and Cooked vegetable) which I tasted good. 

             

Day 2, March 15

Rotaract Stuffs:

Second day was for the main purpose of the visit. We organised a joint meeting with Rotaract Club of HR College, Mumbai and also signed Memorandum of Understanding( MOU) for International Twin Club relationship. The meeting was really enthusiastic and fun-filled. Also we were also careful to learn many new things like meeting procedures followed and meeting etiquettes. 

We saw a different and interesting way of attending a meeting and have summed up with some take-away. There were many things to learn and share between the two clubs. We got a warm reception there and planned to play holi together on March 17th. 

Gateway of India:

I was very happy to meet some of my Rotaract friends from (Rotaract Club of Government Law College) Mumbai whom I had met via facebook and had also organised some joint project between the two clubs. Though it was our first meeting, we found them very co-operative, friendly and caring. Together  we had great fun in the evening. We visited some restaurants, had punjabi food, visited Gateway of India and Taj hotel in the evening. Back to hotel we boarded on train which was not that busy like the daytime. 

Day 3, March 16

Chatrapati Sivaji Terminus (CST):

Also a UNESCO World Heritage Sites, CST was built in 1887 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. CST is one of the busiest railway platform of India serving as a terminal for both short and long-distance trains.

We went to CST for train tickets to Goa. Unfortunately we couldn't get the ticket the same day because all the reservations were full. Meanwhile with all the ICYEP team, we paid a visit to the Gateway of India and took a ride in the ferry over the Arabian sea.  The ferry was just supposed to take a round on the sea and come back. Shopping was next on our list. We visited both small and big shopping centres in close vicinity and bought lots of items. The prices were reasonable and the variety was good.

Marine Drive:

Visit to Marine drive in the evening is one of the rarest thing to miss in Mumbai. It is a 'C' shaped boulevard of about 5 km along the coast that look spectacular during the night by the street lights along the drive. The place is famous to observe the setting sun and also for evening walk, grasping some fresh air. The place is also famous for many prominent hotel in Mumbai like: Oberoi, The Intercontinental, Hotel Marine Plaza etc.  

Travelling in Local Train:

Another thing which we enjoyed was travelling in local train. Local train system in Mumbai is extensive and  travelling during peak hours, during office hours is really hectic because the rush at this point of time is just too much for anyone not used to it. You really need lots of alacrity, patience and practice to travel during these hours. For the rest of the day, the crowd is manageable. Travelling by train gave us a firsthand idea of life of people in Mumbai. Without these trains, life of 12 million Mumbaites  becomes crippled.

Day 4, March 17

Holi In Mumbai:

We Rotaract Club of Kasthamandap together with Rotaract club of HR college celebrated holi.It was also one of the most unforgettable moment. It was a mesmerizing experience. We learned new way of celebrating and also a good chance to exchange our culture and learn new tradition. Dancing all wet was the most interesting part.

Autos:

Travelling in Autos is also one of the major thing to witness in Mumbai. It is said that there are about 300 thousands Autos in Mumbai itself. During mine stay, I came to know of most of the auto-drivers as helpful and cooperative. We travelled major part of Mumbai with the help of Auto-drivers and are also thankful to them.

What we most enjoyed during our stay in Mumbai was visiting many beautiful places especially in the evening. The whole thing was really interesting and a completely new experience for us.