India Through the Eyes of an Indian: Part 2

1. Mumbai: Mumbai (Bombay) is the fashion capital, the Bollywood capital, the financial capital and certainly the most cosmopolitan city of India. Once you absorb the crowds you will realize that there is plenty to see around. Starting from the exquisite Marine Drive which runs 3 kilometers along the coast to the Victoria Terminus station which is a UNESCO world heritage site, Mumbai has several gems up its sleeves. Gateway of India overlooking the vast sea, the majestic Taj  hotel, the picturesque HajI Ali dargah and the beautifully sculpted Elephanta caves (another UNESCO world heritage site) are all places that are worth seeing. Also, don’t forget to take a trip down to Dharavi to find an exquisite collection of leather hand-bags and purses and bargain your way to get some really cool stuff! And yes, do try the famous Chowpatty food while in Mumbai- it may not be the best food you would have eaten but you will certainly savor the taste for a long time! Tip: Avoid Mumbai in the monsoons (June-October) as it gets too hot and humid.

2. Goa: Sea, sand and sunshine perfectly describe this place. Goa is a paradise for people of all ages because there is something for everyone here. From innumerable beaches to vintage churches, Goa is a place to relax and unwind! I went to north Goa and visited the Calangute beach (called the “queen of beaches”), Baga, Anjuna, Vagator and Candolim beaches. The most popular ones are Baga and Calangute where you can relax under an umbrella, guzzle down pints of beer with a game of pool in any of the shacks, get a nice massage done, sun-bathe or try Para-sailing, ride a water-scooter, enjoy a banana ride or even spot dolphins by going few kilometers off the coast! Then you can also visit the serene Aguada Fort (a Portuguese structure) which offers a very beautiful view of the sea. The best way to travel to all these places is by renting a two-wheeler or open jeeps or cabs which are easily arranged by the hotel staff. The evenings in Goa are always exciting. Look out for some exotic sea-food by the sea- you can choose between a quiet sea-side, candle lit dinner or a musical extravaganza by the beach or a more refined discotheque experience at the now legendry Titos which is just 50 meters away from the beach! Goa being a tourist destination certainly has plenty of decent and affordable places to stay and yes do check out the local road-side shops for beach wear, summer dresses, slippers, beaded belts and the junk jewellery (especially the 2 Tibetan markets)! You must bargain and grab some of the stuff because most of it is really pretty. (I still regret for not buying a beautiful frock for as less as 100 bucks!)