This time, we decided for Goa trip and also planned for a day in Mumbai. We were seven boys Vivek, Manish, Neeraj, Vipin, Shashank, Tarun, and Vipul. We have booked a flight from Delhi to Mumbai and return flight from Goa to Delhi.
On 22 Oct 2015, flight was early morning around 6:15 AM and reached Mumbai around 8:30 AM. We have booked train tickets from Mumbai to Goa in the night around 10:00 PM. So, we had approx 9-10 hour to enjoy in Mumbai. We hired Innova for the whole day and first taken breakfast. This was Amchi Mumbai, so we had Bada Pow and Tea in the breakfast.
We all went from Delhi except Vipul; he joined us in Mumbai. This was Mumbai's tour, so we started our journey with Siddhivinayak Temple visit. We went there via Bandra-Worli sea link and that was an amazing view. Siddhivinayak Temple is very famous in Mumbai and dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Gold & silver plated statue of God, multiple well-wisher mouse statue inside temple premises, temple decorations by silver, bronze, copper metal was really amazing.
Mumbai is also famous for poor traffic jam, but there was no rush at all due to Dashahara holiday. After visiting Siddhivinayak temple, we went Haji Ali Dargah. Haji Ali is another landmark in Mumbai, and this beautiful site is located in between the Arabian sea. From Haji Ali, you can see the beautiful landscape of Mumbai city as well as Arabian sea. This place was also good for photography and we captured a lot of pictures. This was really a superb place but poorly maintained. There was a lot of garbage and uncleaned surface; Government & Dargah trust must focus on this to maintain the beauty of this stunning site.
After that, we went Mahalakshmi Temple. This Temple was near Haji Ali, but there was a long queue due to Dasara festival. Actually, time was around 12:30 PM and temple was closed between 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM for cleaning. Tarun and Vipul were waiting outside the temple because of a long queue. Siddhivinayak & Mahalakshmi are two main temples in Mumbai and we were lucky to visit both. This temple is also having silver and gold plated statue of God along with silver pillar.
After visiting temple, we went Juhu-Chaupati. Juhu-Chaupati was over crowded and all of us was very hungry. So, we asked from the driver for good food point and he stopped the car at Status Restaurant, Nariman Point. This restaurant was really a very good. The food was very good and service was very quick. After lunch, we also enjoyed the taste of Pan and walked till Nariman Point.
Time was around 3:00 PM and weather was hot. So, we decided to go Hanging Garden at Malabar hill after spending some time near Marine drive. We also visited 'Church of Agustine' which was nearby Hanging Garden.
This place is idle for relaxation in hot weather. Park was well maintained and full of different colors flowers. There were two parks on both sides of the road. From one side you can see the beautiful buildings, a big green area, clock tower; from another side you can see the 'Old woman's shoe' or the 'Boot House' and the spectacular view of the queens necklace (Marine drive). This place is also idle for photography and sunset.
After one hour of relaxation, we went to marine drive. Time was around 4:30 PM and this was now the good time to enjoy the evening. Marine Drive is a four-kilometer long boulevard in South Mumbai. It is a 'C'-shaped six-lane concrete road along the coast, which is a natural bay. The road links Nariman Point to Babulnath and Malabar Hill. We spent time here till sunset; sunset was really awesome. We also captured a lot of pictures.
Around 6:00 PM, we left Marine drive and went for main tourist stop in Mumbai; Gateway of India. This area has a lot of beautiful hotels and building. The main attraction is Taj Mahal Palace & Towers. This place is idle for everything like street food, good hotels, ferry ride, photography, nightlife etc.
Train timing was at 10:00 PM and time was around 7:30 PM, so we left this beautiful site. Between Gateway of India and CST; you can see various British time building. But after seeing CST railway station building, you just say wow; wonderful. We reached CST around 8:00 PM; Manish and Vipin decided to stay at the railway station with all luggage and rest of us decided to capture some photograph of CST building.
We cannot explain the beauty of CST also called Victoria Terminus. This site was just stunning in the night. There was also a Mumbai Municipal building, which is another example of British architecture in Mumbai.
After capturing a lot of pictures, we also enjoyed some street food. Manish and Vipin also went and took some food when we returned. The whole day, we enjoyed a lot and Shashank's DSLR camera really did a great job. I think, in one day we covered maximum place in Mumbai. Time was around 9:30 PM and we boarded the train. So this was the end of Mumbai journey and now we were ready to make fun in Goa for next five days.