Prince of Wales, the Gateway and Colaba

Amit has graciously agreed to begin our day of sightseeing by visiting the Prince of Wales Museum, which is the number 1 spot on my list. On our way there, we pass by a few other famous landmarks in Mumbai, such as the Haji Ali Mosque. The Mosque, while still majestic right on the water, connected only to land by a promenade, shows the effects of the smog. Amit mentions how he recalls the building being much whiter in color when he visited Mumbai with his family as a child. To me, it is still a very impressive building.

The name of the museum, like so many other names in the city, has changed. It is no longer Prince of Wales Museum but Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (now it probably makes sense to you why I keep calling it "Prince of Wales"...) The building is a fantastic example of Indo-Saracen architecture, which is abundant throughout south Mumbai. It displays several private collections from the colonial era, as well as items from different periods in Indian history. The admission fee for non residents includes an audio tour of the museum. My favorite pieces in the museum were definitely the Rajahstani drawings and the sword collections.

Of course, a must in Mumbai is the Gateway of India. This arch is the symbol of Mumbai. It is located in Colaba, right across the street from the Taj Mahal Hotel, the first hotel in Mumbai and still considered as one of the best places to stay in the city. Colaba is without doubt the most touristy neighbourhood in Mumbai. Spotted with luxury hotels, it still reflects the charm of a colonial era and proudly boasts the results of a city that is the financial heart of the country. Silver horse-drawn carriages offer tourists a ride around the city center and are a popular attraction both for Indians and foreigners alike. The Gateway is bustling with street vendors, selling everything from balloons to roasted snacks. I'm surprised to feel really homesick here. Seeing families together by the docks, enjoying their holiday reminds me of weekends with my family by the harbourfront in my hometown eating roasted chestnuts from a paper funnel.

The Colaba Causeway is flanked by stands of street vendors. You can buy bangles, scarves, pashmina shawls, purses, bags, books, figurines, sandals, and a myriad of other things. Bargaining is a must and it is also an art in this city. I am really in my element here!


We need a break from the heat and the crowd so my tour guide comes up with a brilliant idea: Café Mondegar. The Casablanca fans provide the much needed relief from the outside heat and the caricature drawings on the walls provide a somehow soothing distraction from the busy streets. Mondegar is a popular hangout spot for both foreigners and locals. A great place to have a Kingfisher while listening to some pop or jazz music. (I was honestly glad to hear Kanye West after an entire day of Christmas music and Om Shanti Om, the Bollywood song that I heard at least twice a day while in Mumbai.)

We are relying on a couple of Kingfisher pints to give us energy to tackle Crawford Market...