November 01, 2008 – Mumbai, India

This was the first day of the 3rd segment of the cruise, Mumbai to Cape Town, and we should have been visiting the Taj Mahal this morning but here we were back in Mumbai. In the 16th century the Portuguese occupied the city and named it Bom Baia (good bay) and the British later anglicized it to Bombay. After Indian independence the name was changed the name to Mumba in honor of a Hindu deity Mumbadevi. The “a” at the end of the name has a significance that I forgot.

There was only one excursion available and it covered much af the area we saw by bus the previous evening so we declined. We got a map from the local representative and decided to walk to the “Gate of India” a colonial waterfront monument built in 1911 and dedicated to the visit of George V and Queen Mary. It was an interesting ½ hour walk and the only difficulty was getting past the dozens of cab drivers just outside the port gate. “Take you 2 hour city tour, $5.00.” “Take you in air condition cab $5.00.” We said “NO!” and the price dropped to $1.00. We were hounded by several of them who made so many offers. A couple of cabs even followed us along the street talking out of their window trying to convince us to take their cab. After 3 or 4 blocks we were free of them and could enjoy our stroll. Walking the street is so interesting because you see so many things that you miss speeding by in a vehicle. The city is safe to walk (there are armed guards in many building entryways), the people are friendly and we weren’t hounded by beggars, which is a stark contrast to when I was last here in 1965. In many sections the sidewalk is also a pull over area for cabs, parking for motorcycles and occasionally a passing lane, so it can be quite exciting. Crossing the street is an adventure; you just start across when there is a bit of a break in the traffic and all the vehicles avoid you. The main sound on the streets is car and truck horns. I really believe that the horn is connected to the accelerator.

We finally made it to the Gate of India where it stands looking out over the harbor. There is a massive square in front and on the sides of the gate and it was packed with people. Along with tourists there were vendors of all sorts of goods could be carried, photographers with portable printers to provide you with an almost instant photo, and people trying to convince you to take a harbor boat ride on one of the many tour boats tied up by the monument. Across from the right side of the square is the famous Taj Mahal Hotel, an elegant and gigantic colonial structure built in 1901 with a newer tower section built in the 1970s. I had stayed there in 1965 and it was fun to visit it again. The interior is elegant, well maintained and has several upscale shops. On the street across from the hotel and extending from the square were several vendors with their wares spread out on blankets on the sidewalk.

We spent about an hour in the square and the hotel and then walked back to the ship, diverting down several side streets to see what was there. It was about 95 degrees and humid but, being from south Florida, it felt like a standard golf day. About 220 newbies (new guests) embarked so there are many new faces. Due to the tide receding the Captain elected to leave a bit ahead of schedule (there was only 2 meters of water beneath the keel and he didn’t want anyone to have to get out and push) and trivia was cut short to 7 questions. We won anyway (again.) After the lifejacket drill for new guests there was a sail away party on the pool deck followed by dinner. There was no show so we sat in the Galileo lounge listening to music and were joined by the Captain and his significant other Carolina, a charming lady from Buenos Aires, who will be on board for 2 weeks.