So here I'm in Mumbai for a quick short trip. Took the morning 6AM flight to Mumbai (that meant I had to start by 4Am, means had to get up by 3AM)....then slept in the flight.... and reached Mumbai by 7.40AM. Then reached Babulnath (Girgaon Chowpati) for some work.
If you are very new to Mumbai and want to reach a destination and don't mind spending Rs 15 per KM then you choose from a variety of prepaid/postpaid taxis. I prefer Meru cabs and as soon as you are about to leave the Arrivals exit, onto your right you'll find free phones that have direct lines to their cab's call centers. You just have to pick the phone (don't have to dial - direct lines) and give your destination and mobile number. He'll give you the cab number and you just have to go out and wait for your cab. Generally within 3-5 minutes your cab should be there (Thanks to Nitesh, my roomie who told me about this).
Passed through Shivaji park, Siddhi Vinayak Temple, Haji Ali, Mahalakshmi. From Haji Ali I knew the route and this is where two years ago I ran the Mumbai marathon. Interestingly my cabbie new about marathons and stuffs.
For lunch I wanted to go to Shivaji park. I vaguely remember a place called Prakash near Sena Bahavan when I last visited. Hiked a taxi to Sena Bhavan. The best thing about Mumbai is you just have to get into the Taxi and tell the destination and that's what I precisely did. After getting down at Sena Bhavan I went to shop in for some Chikkis(for Ani) and casually asked for Prakash restaurant. The shopkeeper said it is down the next street.
Just as I reached the Prakash I was getting into my old memories but was disappointed to see the shop closed for the day. But that didn't deter my search saboodana wada and khicdi (Aside: Ani makes them Super). Just then I found a decent looking restaurant and was able to get some Maharashtrian stuff.
-- Dhahi Missal
-- Saboo Dana wada
-- Chaas (butter milk)
I was beaming and then started to explore the nearby area Dadar and had some Kookum juice, Piyush juice (mango lassi types). Then after more walking had some Aam Panna (raw mango juice). It was sultry as usual here at Mumbai.
After great deal of walking and some phone calls I wanted to try their BEST buses but figured out there is no direct bus to Airport. Finally hiked one more taxi and reached Airport good 3 hours before my flight. So here is the blog and finishing replies to some older emails.
Until then...... have fun !
