Mumbai: Perfect blend of past, present & future

TOUCH down in the home of Bollywood when you fly into one of India’s favourite metropolises. This incredible city, once known as Bombay (a name given under colonial rule), is the entertainment capital of the region. Mumbai is a treat for history buffs, film buffs and shopping buffs alike. Visitors can adventure through beautiful lanes steeped in colonial history, and look up at modern architectural gems shining into the skyscape.

Emirates passengers travelling from Harare will have several options to connect to Mumbai in Dubai, where they can board the luxurious double decker A380 (depending on time of travel). Emirates offers three classes of travel on the route – First, Business and Economy, with a generous free baggage allowance First Class passengers flying on the A380 can look forward to quiet luxury in the comfort of their private suites and enjoy the industry’s only on-board shower spa.

First Class and Business Class passengers can socialise and sample canapés and cocktails in the popular on-board lounge, and passengers in all classes can enjoy the gourmet cuisine and relax with Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment known as “ice”, with more than 2 500 channels and free Wi-Fi, available on all Emirates’ A380s.

Travel to Mumbai

Emirates provides four daily flights to Mumbai which land at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, also known as Sahar Airport, located 28km from downtown Mumbai. Public transport options include trains and buses. The most straightforward way of getting to the city centre after flights to Mumbai is via the prepaid taxi service.

Attractions

With 21 million people in its metropolitan area, Mumbai is a vast and sprawling city. It does not offer the wealth of historical attractions of Kolkata or Delhi, but there are a number of attractions which are well worth visiting.

An architectural highlight in Colaba and usually the first place tourists head to – is the Gateway of India. The most recognisable remnant of the British Raj, the yellow basalt arch marked the final departure point of the British when they left in 1947.

From here, take a boat to Elephanta Island, 6km offshore. The island is famous for the UNESCO World Heritage Site caves which contain rock-hewn sculptures that date back to the 5th century.

Back on dry land, visit another UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly known as Victoria Terminus Station. An outstanding example of Victorian “Gothic Revival” architecture, its remarkable stone dome, turrets, pointed arches and eccentric ground plan are an example of the meeting of two cultures, as British architects worked with Indian craftsmen to create a masterpiece.

Shoppers will get a thrill from a visit to the 150-year-old Chor Bazaar, where the senses are flooded with colour, smell, taste and noise. If you are a fan of sports, Mumbai is home to some of the best cricket in the world, which you can watch at Wankhede Stadium.

Mumbai is a city of economic diversity. Touring Dharavi, a heart of industry in Mumbai is an eye opening experience, as well as supporting local development efforts. Most tours are run by local students and include a trip to Mahalaxmi’s , the world’s largest open-air laundry.

Dining and nightlife

If you search hard enough, you will find food from all over the world – including China, Japan, Italy, and Iran – in Mumbai. Decadent European-style brunches are popular in areas such as Bandra and Juhu, but to catch the real flavour of the city, it pays to sample Indian food. Delicacies from all over the country are widely available, plus, of course, Mumbai’s traditional coastal (Konkan) cuisine.

Restaurants can be found on almost every street and range from Michelin-starred chefs to street food. Some good areas include Matunga and Fort (for Udupi and Goan), King’s Circle (Madras) and Colaba (Mughlai and Punjabi). If you are ravenous, consider a Thali restaurant and hope you still have a few extra holes left on your belt.

While out and about, it is likely you will be tempted by the delicious aroma of the street food; snacks such as vada pav and pani puri are perfect for a traveller on the go. But, as with elsewhere in India, be careful where you eat – hygienic versions of street food are available from take-away windows in areas such as Tardeo, Bandra and Chowpatty, and provide all the flavour with none of the possible ill effects.

Mumbai by night is just as busy as by day. The best way to navigate the top bars, nightspots and live music venues is via a local listings magazine. These tend to be centred in Bandra, Juhu and Colaba, but watch the clock: the nightclubs in the “city that loves to party” close earlier than their Western counterparts.

Beyond Mumbai

Take a day trip to Matheran, a hill station around two hours from Mumbai. At 800 metres above sea level, the temperature at the plateau is pleasant year-round, and its lush greenery, waterfalls and lakes make for scenic viewing.

Motorised vehicles are banned in Matheran, ensuring visitors enjoy some much-needed tranquillity after the crowds of Mumbai. Walking, hiking and horse-riding are popular and relaxing activities, and a number of lookout points provide spectacular views of the surrounding hills and valley.

Emirates flight number EK713 leaves Harare at 1850hrs, arriving Lusaka at 1955hrs. It departs Lusaka at 2140hrs and lands in Dubai at 0650hrs the next day. There are a variety of weekly flights from Dubai to Mumbai, including the ideal departure time of 09:35 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The return flight arrives in Dubai at 06:05, and the connecting flight to Lusaka departs Dubai every day at 0925hrs, arriving in Lusaka at 1435hrs. The service departs Lusaka at 1605hrs, arriving in Harare at 1710hrs.

For visa information, contact the Indian Embassy at 00263 4 795955, 00263 4 704670 or email: hoc@embindia.org.zw

Tickets can be booked online through www.emirates.com or through authorised travel agents, or the local Emirates office in Harare at 18 Wakefield Road, Avondale.