Today was pretty much a rerun of yesterday, except it was Sunday. We suspected that some of the markets would be closed today, such as Crawford Market, one of the largest ones in Mumbai. At this market you can find a huge amount of spices, fruit (fresh and dried), herbs, and household goods. Luggage, clothing, and fabric is sold, but some of the unusual items are wigs and monkeys…..in the pet section. It is a wonderful place to get photos, even if you are not buying anything. We toured this market about three years ago. However, most of these shops would be closed today.
So we wanted to compare crowds with yesterday's, and decided to walk to town once again. Despite the forecast of 93 degrees, we felt it was hotter yesterday. Once through the Green Gate, we noticed that there were fewer taxis and no traffic. At least three separate groups of older kids were playing cricket without their shoes, all the way to the main road. It was fun watching them, since we don't have a clue how the game operates. They sure did, as it is a huge pastime here in India. A major sport in fact.
Making our way back to the Gateway of India, we noticed a much larger crowd of Indian families heading that way. Most all of the ladies were wearing gorgeous sarees. Guess we could call it "Saree Sunday". Most all of them were heading to Elephanta Island for the day, we assume. We did consider taking the ferry there, since it was very reasonable to take the boat there. But we do seem to remember that getting a ferry back could be a problem. Sometimes the boat captains wait until the ferry fills up before leaving the island, and that could be an hour's wait, or more. So we did not want to take a chance.
From there we made our way back to the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, but mostly for a pit stop. We did locate the bar there, but it was too early for a beer. WE continued on outside the hotel, looking for the Chinese restaurant Barb always goes to. Assuming it was in back of the hotel, we never did find it. Seems it was down the street from the front of the hotel.
As long as we were already down half way paralleling Colaba Street, we walked up a side street, and slowly made our way back past all the shops. Everything was opened here, even on Sunday. Making one more attempt to locate a pair of white dress sandals, we ended up back in the only store that seemed to have a better range of sizes. Not finding the white ones, we did happen across a turquoise pair, at half price at that. The shop owner even reduced it further….don't know why, but he made a quick sale.
On our way back to the Green Gate, we spotted a cow being herded down the street. Finally, a holy cow. But they disappeared down a side street and were gone by the time we got there. In the past, we used to pass these animals as they lined the sidewalk to the main road. People must feed them, but never eat their meat. Remember, they are considered sacred in India.
At the gate, there were a few rent-a-baby young girls carrying a crying baby, not their own. We have been warned not to give them anything, as it only encourages more girls to do this. When they see policemen, they scatter. There was one elderly woman selling purses and bags. We did negotiate one red and pink satin bag with gold embroidery for $5.00. She was happy, and so was I.
This time, the security was more thorough this time. We did have to put our things through the xray, and our yellow landing cards and passport copy were checked out. We wondered how they handled a tour bus full of guests, because we did see the buses drive through the gate. Martin told us that those passengers that had large bags, like a backpack, had to get off the bus, and walk through the xray, like everyone else on foot. The rest of the folks could stay on the bus, where an official boarded, and checked their papers on the bus.
Once back at the ship, we had to wait to board, because they were in the process of closing the deck two gangway. The new gangway connected to deck one, but it was not quite ready for anyone to board. This is where you see the true colors of some other guests. Not everyone is nice on this trip. We saw one lady who definitely was having a bad day, and not reacting well with the crew. She claimed to have broken her arm, which was wrapped with a towel and tied with white napkins. We thought that was odd, because if she did this in the city, she probably would have been brought here in an ambulance and immediately taken onboard. No one denied her getting on first, but when the room steward said he would let her walk the gangway first (she was in a motorized scooter), then pick her up inside the ship after the rest of us boarded, she threw a fit. She yelled at him and said absolutely not…he would not let anyone on ahead of him. She had a broken arm and was on her way right to the doctor on the ship.
Well, she got her way, got on first (fine with all of us), then proceeded to turn the opposite way back to her room. She ignored the room steward who had helped her, and went to her room, and from what we saw, she never came back out. Hmmmm, think she lied a little. The room steward stayed polite through this whole episode, bless his heart.
Worked on photos until lunch salads arrived. Around 6pm, we went up to deck nine to watch the sun go down. It really was a good setting, but no sunset like we normally see. With the heavy smoky haze that plagues the sky here, the sun set in an orange globe that sunk behind the buildings, then it was gone. No after color.
Our departure time had been moved to sometime after 9:30pm, perhaps we would see the sail away after dinner. All of us were present at the table tonight, sharing our exploits of the day. Not everyone got off of the ship here. We know of some folks that chose not to get the Indian visa, and could not leave the ship anyway. Depending on what country you are from, India does not make it easy to procure visas. Seems like we just got our a few years ago, but really, it has been 10 years next year. They will expire at the end of 2018, but at least they were good for 10 years, the only way to purchase them if you can.
After dinner, we took our normal walk on deck three to find it was crowded with folks waiting for the sail away. Since it was past 10pm, we headed back down, and watched the ship move away from the offshore pier from our window. The Costa Classica had slipped out ahead of us while we ate our meal.
The last two days of Queen's Lounge entertainment included the Magic of Bollywood with songs and dances of India, and a big screen movie, A Passage to India was shown this evening.
Remember that the clocks had gone back ½ hour before our arrival to Sri Lanka? Well, we got the other ½ hour back on the clocks this evening. We are happy to roll them back no matter how many minutes it is.
There are two sea days now as we head towards Muscat, Oman.
Bill & Mary Ann
We were using the local wooden step gangway
The new addition – razor wire suspended from railing on deck three
Costa Classica still there
Some lifeboats dropped to work
Every open window has razor wire now
Car carrier docked near us
Our guys rigging the wire – very carefully
Some of the wire is quite new (not rusted)
Typical Indian truck
Equipment in the dock area
Transporting aluminum reels
Trucks for moving goods
Older kids were playing cricket in the street
Not a lot of taxi traffic – today was Sunday
Fewer taxis today
The walk towards downtown
Kids playing cricket without shoes
Very wide streets in this part of the city
Usually see cows sleeping here – no kidding
All of these city streets have been cleaned up
The main boulevard
More motorcycles
Older taxis are black and yellow, but a cheaper ride
Love the decorations
Apartments above the businesses
A decent-looking café
Goods Carrier
Local bus
Balconies
Rooftop gardens
Many trees help to clean the air
What a paint job
Sign read: Avoid using Plastic Carry Bags
A "Pizza Express" restaurant may have been upstairs – we were too early for lunch
The local crowd was headed for the Gateway of India
Must be "Saree Sunday"
The whole family dresses nicely on Sundays
Traditional & modern family in Mumbai
Palm-lined street to the Taj Mahal Palace
Going inside for another visit
Seating area in the Taj Mahal Palace
Finally found the bar in the hotel
New flower arrangements in the lobby
Just stunning – look like giant marigolds, but were millions of mums
Central area of the lobby – how civilized
Horse sculpture in the lobby
Walking back towards the Gateway of India
Locals waiting for the ferries to Elephanta Island
Shoe shine service
Water looked so polluted and muddy
Selling snack food at the gateway
Many families out for a Sunday trip
Lots of young Indian couples out and about
Statue near the gateway
Perfect view of the Taj Mahal Palace
Typical tropical trees in India
Colorful ferries
Gateway to India – a mix of architecture
Few outside tourists here
Young families
All posing for photos
Will last forever
The folks just kept arriving
More posing for the photographer
Huge line for security
The younger crowd
Heading towards town
Taxis waiting
Hello….I am still here today…..
Businesses behind the Taj Hotel
Reflects a different era
Iconic architecture
Walking the back streets
Someone was watching us
Street behind the Taj Mahal Palace
Very nice balconies
A nicer neighborhood
A hospital area
Cannot read the name
Back on Colaba Street
Leopolds Cafe
Making our way back to the ship
More traffic now
St. Andrew's Church
The Library
Sidewalk made with ship's ballast stones
