26. Watch the sunset over Aksa Beach in Madh Island - If I had to go this far, I'd choose the Renaissance in Powai overlooking the lake. Also, the sunset from Haji Ali (#1), from the upcoming sea-link, from the princess necklace they are all worth it!
27. Discover the underbelly of Mumbai in Dharavi - and make sure you do not get lost! On second thoughts, get lost and see where you land. If you are a shopoholic, venture into one of the leather shops and check out how the store owners boast about the display look-alikes of Louis Vitton, Gucci, Nine West, Prada and many more.
28. Stay for a night at Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. You definitely want to tick off this luxury address for the oh-I-stayed-there-for-a-while conversations. - More of the NRI types but worth being pampered at the Taj even if it means going to any of their restaurants or a massage at their salon. They surely know the essence of hospitality.
29. Catch the national madness of cricket in Oval Maidan.
30. Cheer a football match at Cooperage ground - and cricket at the Bombay Gymkhana especially if it is between the Xavierians and their Alumni!
31. Bury your nose in books for hours at Strand - enjoy bun-maska with tea at the corner and check out some souvenirs at the Bombay Store.
32. Stroll in Bombay University.
33. Climb the airport wall in Kurla to gain a phenomenal view of Boeings - I thought this was wired after it got destroyed during the 26/07 rains.
34. Swoon at a concert in Bandra Kurla Complex - worth visiting is the BKC gardens right ahead and enjoy the serenity there. It is a rare to spot such a place in the city unless it has already been infested by civilization.
35. Gaze at the Queen's Necklace from the Hanging Gardens at dusk - there used to be Cafe Naaz which was the bestest place to hang out. Sad they demolished it :-(
36. Hunt for antique furniture in Oshiwara.
37. Hike up the Mazgaon Hill.
38. Buy books from roadsides around Flora Fountain - one can get all kinds of banned books and some weird ones with spoofs on Men are from Mars...
39. Enjoy the private palaces of Malabar Hill - with flourishing towers, few exist. Nevertheless, the drive up and down the Hill are nice especially the latter which merges into an open stretch to get the first glance of the ocean.
40. Part on a ferry in the Arabian Sea off Gateway of India - how about ferrying up to the Elephanta Caves especially during the festival?
41. Take a break from the city. Vasai offers the ramparts of Bassein fort, ruins of Portuguese churches and East Indian food.
42. Trek in the Sahayadris - The best is Bhimashankar especially during the monsoons. Another thing during the monsoons is rafting in the Ulhaas River. Good rapids on the west coast of India!
43. Say hello to the fauna at Byculla Zoo.
44. Buy a camera from D N Road's gray market.
45. Dare the red light district of Kamathipura - this is not as bad as it sounds. Kind of overhyped and walking during broad day light, you do come face-to-face with stark reality that makes you wonder who is living in a bubble - them or you.
46. Guess what RFID system they use to tag clothes at the Dhobi Ghat - forget that. Just visiting the Ghats in unique and a photographer's delight. One needs to get there by 7am. Better still, watch as the sun sets it first rays on the Ghats as the beloved dhobis get to their act.
47. Take a power nap at David Sassoon Library.
48. Catch movies at art-deco cinemas: Regal, Eros, Metro - Sterling would top my list here.
49. Bow your head before the city's famou deities: Mumbadevi (where it all began!!), Mahalaxmi (Sunset view is awesome), Walkeshwar (beautiful architecture), Siddhivinayak (overrated but a must-do when in Mumbai), Iskcon (extremely serene..do try the coffee here)
50. Dine where Shahrukh Khans and Ness Wadias dine: Olive, Indigo. - If you do want to splurge, I would actually recommend Souk at Taj, Franjipani at Oberoi or Emperor's Court at Renaissance (The view from here is to die for).
27. Discover the underbelly of Mumbai in Dharavi - and make sure you do not get lost! On second thoughts, get lost and see where you land. If you are a shopoholic, venture into one of the leather shops and check out how the store owners boast about the display look-alikes of Louis Vitton, Gucci, Nine West, Prada and many more.
28. Stay for a night at Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. You definitely want to tick off this luxury address for the oh-I-stayed-there-for-a-while conversations. - More of the NRI types but worth being pampered at the Taj even if it means going to any of their restaurants or a massage at their salon. They surely know the essence of hospitality.
29. Catch the national madness of cricket in Oval Maidan.
30. Cheer a football match at Cooperage ground - and cricket at the Bombay Gymkhana especially if it is between the Xavierians and their Alumni!
31. Bury your nose in books for hours at Strand - enjoy bun-maska with tea at the corner and check out some souvenirs at the Bombay Store.
32. Stroll in Bombay University.
33. Climb the airport wall in Kurla to gain a phenomenal view of Boeings - I thought this was wired after it got destroyed during the 26/07 rains.
34. Swoon at a concert in Bandra Kurla Complex - worth visiting is the BKC gardens right ahead and enjoy the serenity there. It is a rare to spot such a place in the city unless it has already been infested by civilization.
35. Gaze at the Queen's Necklace from the Hanging Gardens at dusk - there used to be Cafe Naaz which was the bestest place to hang out. Sad they demolished it :-(
36. Hunt for antique furniture in Oshiwara.
37. Hike up the Mazgaon Hill.
38. Buy books from roadsides around Flora Fountain - one can get all kinds of banned books and some weird ones with spoofs on Men are from Mars...
39. Enjoy the private palaces of Malabar Hill - with flourishing towers, few exist. Nevertheless, the drive up and down the Hill are nice especially the latter which merges into an open stretch to get the first glance of the ocean.
40. Part on a ferry in the Arabian Sea off Gateway of India - how about ferrying up to the Elephanta Caves especially during the festival?
41. Take a break from the city. Vasai offers the ramparts of Bassein fort, ruins of Portuguese churches and East Indian food.
42. Trek in the Sahayadris - The best is Bhimashankar especially during the monsoons. Another thing during the monsoons is rafting in the Ulhaas River. Good rapids on the west coast of India!
43. Say hello to the fauna at Byculla Zoo.
44. Buy a camera from D N Road's gray market.
45. Dare the red light district of Kamathipura - this is not as bad as it sounds. Kind of overhyped and walking during broad day light, you do come face-to-face with stark reality that makes you wonder who is living in a bubble - them or you.
46. Guess what RFID system they use to tag clothes at the Dhobi Ghat - forget that. Just visiting the Ghats in unique and a photographer's delight. One needs to get there by 7am. Better still, watch as the sun sets it first rays on the Ghats as the beloved dhobis get to their act.
47. Take a power nap at David Sassoon Library.
48. Catch movies at art-deco cinemas: Regal, Eros, Metro - Sterling would top my list here.
49. Bow your head before the city's famou deities: Mumbadevi (where it all began!!), Mahalaxmi (Sunset view is awesome), Walkeshwar (beautiful architecture), Siddhivinayak (overrated but a must-do when in Mumbai), Iskcon (extremely serene..do try the coffee here)
50. Dine where Shahrukh Khans and Ness Wadias dine: Olive, Indigo. - If you do want to splurge, I would actually recommend Souk at Taj, Franjipani at Oberoi or Emperor's Court at Renaissance (The view from here is to die for).
