Exploring Mumbai

Though I have been born and raised in Mumbai, it’s very rare for me to go around sight-seeing in the city. This trip of mine wasn't exactly that but quite close.

My friend and I set out to explore the various "bazaars" of Mumbai, especially "Zaveri Bazaar". We had no clue where it is located, but getting directions is never an issue in Mumbai. While walking down the streets, we noticed that the heritage Victorian buildings were being re-touched.

We wandered past the Crawford market, which is a hub of wholesalers and retailers selling everything from artificial flowers, plastics, toys, stationeries etc. Just around this market, is the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule market which sells fresh farm produce, imported cheese, chocolates etc. The entire web of markets sprawls around the Jama Masjid, which is beautiful ancient Mosque. We paved our way through the narrow streets filled with people and lined with old dilapidated buildings. Surprisingly though, the entire place was cool and breezy even at 4 pm. We strolled past Mangaldas market, which is the largest indoor cloth and dress material market in Mumbai. And there was Zaveri Bazaar, the place we had been looking for all this while. Zaveri bazaar, the bullion market of Mumbai sees over Rs 100 crore business every day. The entire street gleams with gold and diamond jewellery displayed across a myriad of shops lined up on the street.

After wandering along for a while, I had some delicious juice from one of the juice stalls on the street. It was heavenly blend of carrot, beetroot, mint and Indian gooseberry priced at just Rs 15 with a refill included. I totally loved it. We also had some "Ragda pattice" (potato cutlets in spicy chickpea curry), which was very different from what we normally have. You can find numerous choices in food at unbelievable prices all across Mumbai.

Tired of walking, we then headed off to Marine lines, to watch the sunset. I couldn't help notice the striking difference between the two places, one pouring out of its seams with people rushing through the streets as though on an urgent mission while the other being plush, calm boundless with few people enjoying the view. It was indeed a great way to unwind. We strolled along the shore, which seemed like an endless stretch only to realize that we had walked all the way from Girgaum to Churchgate and then to CST where we boarded our train back.

I had never expected a visit to Mumbai could turn out to be so interesting.

Malibu Beach

Malibu beach pics - courtesy Flickr

Finally a weekend; seems like eternity since I have had one of those. Feels like such a luxury. It was one of my friend’s birthday and a perfect excuse to venture out. So we rented a car and set out for the day.
We went to a lot of places: Malibu beach, Santa Monica and LA Downtown. But I loved Malibu the best. It’s such a beautiful place. Protected with vast mountain ranges, the Malibu beach is picturesque and perfect. Now a home to a lot of Hollywood celebs, Malibu was once a private property. Can you imagine that? What must it feel to own those 27 miles of pristine beach flanked with Golden mountain ranges just alongside the Pacific Coast Highway!
We reached the beach just before sunset. The sunset at Malibu is the best I have ever witnessed. Next, we went to the famous Malibu Pier. This was one of the best moments of the day. The Pier lit with golden lights looked like a glittering crown on the otherwise dark Pacific. It was perfect. The vast raging ocean, the soft harmony created by the waves and the playful wind, the silver reflections of the moon casted on the water, the golden reflections like fireworks in water from the Street lights, a trace of soft music from the cafe nearby and absolutely no-one around. I was instantly carried away into a trance by the sinful ambience.
Not for long; just then a friend shook me to reality. It was time to hit the next destination and we had to leave the place. But I can still remember the charisma of that moment.