Although more than half a year has passed, some things I wanted to share with you all.
Have been thinking about writing since long.
Rains here in Mumbai have been very good this year. Any water shortage news would seem to just trouble/scare the Mumbaikars.
Minimum rickshaw fare is now 11 Rs. (earlier it used to be 9 Rs.)
Area outside Ghatkopar (W) has become a proper maze due to the construction going on for Metro. We went there twice in the span of 30-45 days and were confused as where to get out from.
We are taking advantage of the much appraised “Dabbawala Service†for Bhumi and Keya. And it’s just wonderful that kids get to eat “somewhat†hot lunch and easier on my part as I don’t have to prepare it 7 in the morning.
Have visited few places in Mumbai for the 1st time / after a very long time.
Mahindra Garden at Breach Candy near American Consulate is very good. Right off the ocean, you can hear the waves roaring. Several play areas for different age group kids. Few play items are pretty new/unique for here. It reminded me of Portal park.
Caught a show at Nehru Planetorium. It was for about 45 min. Kids enjoyed it and we enjoyed the nostalgic moments.
Next to the planetarium in the same campus there is Nehru Center (different from Nehru Science Center). There is a museum on the first floor there. It is about the history of India with photographs of all the great freedom fighters and artifacts. As Bhumi has started learning about the Indian history the museum seemed very enlightening.
Another nice garden is in Shivaji Park (R.B.Prabhu Garden). Again right off the ocean with a great view of Bandra-Worli sea link.
Great update Amisha..
Looks like Bhagwan ne Prashant ki Prathana Sune li.. He always keep mentioning how come Richshaw is still Rs.9
I have enjoyed Nehru Science Center a lot as a kid.
I am sure it must have updated in past 10 years a lot.
Just yesterday Ameeta and myself were talking about parks in Mumbai and how most of them need lot of maintenance.
Specially when I see all the garden space available in Matunga, I feel lot of it is just wasted as most of the gardens are not maintained well. Play structures are broken, grass is not trimmed, no dustbins around so litter is found everywhere, unwanted adult nuisance.
Priyadarshani Park at Breach Candy was one of our favorites too…..Its now been years that I have been to most of these places.
Maheshwari Udyan is crying right now 🙁 It has been over run by the construction of flyover between Matunga and Kings Circle.
To look at the positive side : Clean Public toilets (“Sulabh”) are there on the roads as well as near parks/Juhu beach/theatres, malls etc.
Yup – Its been pouring cats and dogs in mumbai 🙁
Some updates from my observations –
1. The new taxis(Wagon R style – didn’t check out the actual model) in mumbai are comfortable and nice.
2. The new flyover in SantaCruz has reduced the foot traffic significantly, road looks much ugly though :(.
3. There is a monorail construction going in wadala – connecting chembur to saat rasta.
4. The drive to Pune during the rainy season via expressway is gorgeous, very scenic – recommend the road trip if you are visiting pune during the rains.
5. Latest trend in interior decorations – wall papers instead of the plain old colors. Also for Disney lovers – Bajaj Fans Ltd has some Disney themed fans as well.
6. For food lovers – you now get Nature Valley Bars (Multiple flavors available), Rs 350 for 12 pack. Ching’s has come up with dry masala for thai curries.
7. Amazed to read the full page article for congratulations (like the maran khabar full page article) for 10th/12th/Graduates in the khabar patrika (with photo plus mobile no of the person and some ads in english as well).
Sky walk in Santacruz is huge. As if u can easily jump into the gallaries of the building on the sides of the road.
No need to go till PUNE. Take a break at Lonavala instead 🙂 and enjoy the rains.
I have been getting Kaeng Thai Red/Green Curry paste from Super markets in Bombay. They are pretty good.
Shopping is fun here!! And right now SALE season is on in Mumbai. Even big brand names offer good discounts. Today I went to “Lifestyle” in R Mall. Being a weekend, it was crazy!! It reminded me of Kohl’s And JC Penny where clothes strewn everywhere during big SALE events.
Another thing I have noticed is that Mulund being located near the mountains has drier climate compared to Western suburbs like Andheri/Santacruz/Worli etc. And especially in rains the weather cools down considerably in Mulund.
Wonder if Five Gardens in Wadala is still there. There was very little “garden” left the last time I saw it.
Jaideep,
Five gardens is still there (not sure when did you see little garden) – a prime location for real estate in that area 🙂
Mumai Diary 2010 Will Continue. Rains in November. Have Caused havoc with crops. Prices of vegetables have shot up. Stay tuned for more.
Visited Borivali’s National Park last weekend (yes it still exists !!).Excellent place for a one day picnic with mini-train ride, boating,safari and trimurti darshan. Seems like we were destined to have a holy day that day (Dev Diwali) and inspite of waiting in lines could not get tickets for safari and ended up visiting the Trimurti temple + Palitana Pat Darshan (like on Yogi Hills in Feb).
As i was travelling in local train with my backpack, I realized wearing it on the back is a bit of risk since anyone can remove something from behind. I was thinking maybe for mumbai it will be nice to wear it in front just like we carry a baby in a sling in front. Lo and behold, in a few minutes i saw 2-3 college kids wearing it just like that. in the front. I had never seen it before. So i guess it can be called a new trend.
Remember those handles in train used for standing? They changed the style of those and made it such that advertisement inserts can be put into them. Wonder where they will put the ads next???
Yep wearing backpacks in front is the way to go especially in rush hours. I do that with my laptop bag whenever I go to office. Though this is not a new trend. A friend of mine used to to this in our college days (maybe he was a visionary).
Have seen collegians/higher std school going kids carrying backpacks with very long handles.
Never thought I would use my long sleeve tshirts in Mumbai!! Or even comforters for that matter. But recently, I am unpacking my stuff we used to use in US. The weather is EXCELLENT in Mumbai these days!!
Went to Juhu beach in the afternoon time (around 12 O’clock). You can go shopping in “Bhar Tadko” without getting sweaty.
And we especially staying near mountains in Mulund, have to keep all the sliding doors closed at night otherwise at early mornings we have to search for another layer of covering!!
Am loving it 🙂
“Adadiya Pak ni season aavi gaee!”