Chodhound

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India Day 31 – Mumbai or Bombay Part 2

Mumbai

[chodhound]

India Day 31 – Mumbai or Bombay

India Day 31 – Mumbai or Bombay

By this point Laura had had enough sightseeing and so I took myself off on a stroll around the streets of Mumbai - with no particular plans.  Mumbai felt a more modern city than the others we had visited.  I strolled up to have a look around the Jehangir Art Gallery and then wondered along the streets around the high court.  They were full of street vendors selling books and mending shoes.  There were more cats than I had seen elsewhere in India. 

Streets around the High Court.

I then wandered across the peninsula past the Oval Maidan, a large park which was full of people playing cricket, towards Nariman Point which is at one end of the famous Marine Drive.

I strolled through the streets and watched the busy street vendors selling lunch to businessmen before making my way back to the hotel.  When I was about 200 yards from the hotel a slightly strange man approached me and said I had something in my ear and before I knew produced a long needle that he poked into my ear before removing a giant piece of wax.  I did not like this and pushed him away and walked briskly away.  I don’t know whether this was a scam or attempt to mug me but either way I didn’t like it.

[chodhound]

India Day 30 – Mumbai or Bombay

There’s no photos from Day 29 because it was travelling from Udaipur to Mumbai, a long train journey.  We left the train and our new friends and move to our final stop of the trip the city of Mumbai or to use it’s old name Bombay.

We had another private tour in Mumbai, we drove out via the Back Bay to Malabar Hill to see the Hanging Gardens, where we could see back over the city.  The gardens were lovely full of colour.

We then drove to Dhobi Ghat, located in Mahalaxmi, Mumbai, is the world's largest open-air laundromat, operating for over 140 years. Established in 1890, over 7,000 "dhobis" (washers) work daily to clean over 100,000 garments from hotels, hospitals, and homes.

Back into the car and on to Mani Bhavan.  This is a museum and historical building dedicated to Gandhi, situated at Laburnum Road in the Gamdevi precinct of Mumbai. Mani Bhavan was the focal point of Gandhi's political activities in Mumbai between 1917 and 1934.

We finally went to the wonderful Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, formerly named the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India, is a museum in Mumbai which documents the history of India from prehistoric to modern times.  Unfortunately, there were no photographs allowed.

Back to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon by the pool.

[chodhound]

India Day 28 – Sixth Day on the Train – Udaipur

The city palace continued...

More city palace...

More city palace...

[chodhound]

India Day 28 – Sixth Day on the Train – Udaipur

Udaipur, the city of the lakes – is sometimes referred to as the “Venice of the East” and you can see why.  It is beautiful, a wonderful contrast to the desert towns and fort we previously visited.

We went for a short trip on a boat to the garden island, were we wandered through the lush gardens and relaxed. 

Another boat trip back to the mainland and we explored the City Palace, with its fabulous preserved rooms and amazing views, including of the Lake Palace – which was were Octopussy lived in the eponymous James Bond film.

[chodhound]

India Day 27 – Fifth Day on the Train - Jodhpur - Part 6

A third Tuk Tuk took us to our final destination a lovely hotel with a fantastic selection of vintage cars and we were treated to a puppet show before returning to the train for a well-deserved rest.

[chodhound]

India Day 27 – Fifth Day on the Train - Jodhpur - Part 5

We were guided through the market looking at the stalls selling all kinds of vegetables and the many shops selling everything you could possibly want (and quite a lot of stuff you probably don't).

Bardar Market Girdikot - look at the lovely vegetables!

An ancient stepwell and some more shops!

[chodhound]

India Day 27 – Fifth Day on the Train - Jodhpur - Part 4

After the fort and it’s many attractions and marvellous views – we were treated to a tuk-tuk ride down into the city to visit the market.  This was a thrilling way to view the shops of the city as we descended from the hills where the fort is located to the market in the centre of city. 

Again the colours and vibrancy of India inspired me to take lots of photos!

[chodhound]

India Day 27 – Fifth Day on the Train - Jodhpur - Part 3

Mehrangarh Fort

We were given a turban tying demonstration in the courtyard.

This is one of the guards - who had the most fabulous moustache - I asked him if I could take his photo and he was happy to oblige!

[chodhound]

India Day 27 – Fifth Day on the Train - Jodhpur

More inside Mehrangarh Fort:

And views out over the city.

Back inside for some more:

[chodhound]

India Day 27 – Fifth Day on the Train - Jodhpur

On our 5th day on the train we ventured to Jodhpur – this city is known as the blue city because of the many brightly painted buildings is dominated by the Mehrangarh Fort, Rudyard Kipling, described the fort as "a palace that might have been built by Titans and coloured by the morning sun."

The Batman film “The Dark Night Rises” was partially filmed here.

Howdahs...

[chodhound]

India Day 26 – Fourth Day on the Train – Bikaner - Part 3

After the visit to the fort, we travelled to a nice lakeside hotel for tea and cake before we headed into the desert on some camel cart for the evening’s entertainment which was an feast in the dunes with local musicians and dancers. 

These were excellent and we all joined in the dancing at some point in time (there are no photos fortunately!)

And of course there were fireworks!

[chodhound]

India Day 26 – Fourth Day on the Train – Bikaner Part 2

More photos from inside Junagarh Fort in Bikaner.

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India Day 26 – Fourth Day on the Train – Bikaner

On our 4th day on the train we travelled to Bikaner – this city is in the Thar desert, a huge desert that comprises about 6% of India’s total land area.  Bikaner is the closest we get to Pakistan on our journey.  The main sight to see is Junagarh Fort – this is a large, impressive fort dominating the city. 

The walls are a deep red and the interiors are fabulously decorated – there are wonderful statues of the Hindu gods and painted walls and ceilings.

More gods...

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India Day 25 – Third Day on the Train – Jaipur - Part 3

On the way back to the train and lunch we passed the Jah Mahal – the lake palace and then visited the jewel shop were we bravely resisted buying any jewellery.

[chodhound]

India Day 25 – Third Day on the Train – Jaipur - Part 2

More photos from the Amer fort.

There are a series of courtyards, with gardens and water features.

The third courtyard of the palace is known as Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace).

[chodhound]

India Day 25 – Third Day on the Train – Jaipur

A nice leisurely morning after breakfast we left the train and were welcomed by a fantastic band and a man dressed as if he were riding a horse.  This was lots of fun – a short coach ride through Jaipur and then we arrive at the car park for the Amber Fort (Amer Fort).  We were met by jeeps to take us to the fort itself as the roads are too narrow for the bus to drive and the elephant ride is considered to be cruel (although lots of people do get the elephants).  Laura took a sneaky photo of the cobra man but he spotted her and wanted paying!  He didn’t spot me though… The drive up to the fort was fun and afforded lots of good views and some goats when we arrived at the top.

The fort itself is beautiful and has a wonderful location overlooking the Maota lake.  It seems that it is popular for engagement wedding photos (there were at least 3 brides and grooms that I spotted).

As well as the brides there are the local sweepers...