A Weekend In Mumbai
Bright lights, big dreams — Mumbai, or Bombay as the locals still call it, is many things to many people. It’s a busy beast, the kind visitors tend to either love or hate. Give it time though and the city will open up to you. There are numerous things to do and places to see, and everyone has their own mish-mashed list of favourites. It’s supremely hard to do Mumbai complete justice — because there’s always more to see and another layer to unravel. We’ve put together a motley list of classic must-dos and newer offerings, ripe for discovery over a weekend visit to the city.
Discover the history
The city’s heritage is vast — there are elegant Art Deco apartment buildings, neighbourhoods that don’t always feature on tourist maps that deserve attention and stories of how the island city was part of a bridal trousseau. There’s history in nearly every corner, you just need to know where to look. Fortunately, various outfits in the city make that easy to do. For fact-filled heritage walks around various areas, look up Khaki Tours and for a deep dive into the city’s Art Deco architecture, Art Deco Mumbai is a trusted resource.
Snack on some vada pav
Food of the masses, the humble vada pav is arguably Mumbai’s best on-the-go snack. Potato — which forms the vada — and bread may be both imports to India courtesy colonial trade, but this union is heavenly. The fried potato ball — or vada — is sandwiched into a pav that’s lined with spicy chutney. You’ll find it on almost every street corner, especially when it’s an office neighbourhood, but Aram, opposite CST station (but there are other outlets, as well), is a storied institution. Don’t let the crowd daunt you. Once you have your newspaper-wrapped parcel, remember to watch out for the chillies — they’re super spicy, so don’t bite more than you can handle.
Go hiking in the city’s national park
It’s not often you hear of a national park within city limits. The northern reaches of Mumbai are home to Sanjay Gandhi National Park — over a hundred square kilometres of lush protected forest. The park boasts one of the highest densities of leopards but sightings aren’t very common. There are also spotted deer and rhesus macaques. Focus on the small wonders though and you’ll be spoilt for choice — the park is home to a wide variety of birdlife as well as spiders, beetles and jewel-hued bugs. If that’s not enough, the Kanheri Caves also lie within the park. These were chiseled out by Buddhist monks and date back to the 9th century BCE. The park hosts regular forest walks — perfect for working up an appetite — with a naturalist. Check their website for updates here.
Eat with locals
The city’s got a lot for food lovers — from a twist on local preparations at restaurants like The Bombay Canteen to a classic bun-maska breakfast at Irani cafes like Yazdani, there’s a lot to look forward to. If you’re hankering for home food, consider one of Authenticook’s experiences. On offer are a range of Indian cuisines — feast on seafood when you dine with a family of Kolis, one of the original inhabitants of Mumbai, mop up stew with appams and dig into a range of other delicacies from central Kerala with home chef Manju, or get your fill of home-made Punjabi fare like chole bhature and kewda kheer with home chef Akanksha. Apart from lip-smacking food, this is also a great way to see how various communities have contributed to the city.
Buy some books!
The demise of bookshops across the city over the last decade makes everything seem bleak for booklovers, but don’t lose hope. There are a few that are still going strong — Kitab Khana at Fort’s Flora Fountain retails everyone’s favourites and has become a household name, but Wayword and Wise, which opened its doors in Ballard Estate in 2015, is where you should go if you don’t know what you’re looking for. They stock one of the most well curated collections, from great fiction and graphic novels to children’s literature and cookbooks. It’s the place to go to find a literary souvenir, or to just get out of a reading slump.
Cool off with a beer
As refreshments go, a chilled beer on a hot, sweaty day ticks every box. The Indian brewery scene has taken off in recent years, with homegrown beers and beverages stepping into the limelight. Bangalore-based Toit Brewpub came to Mumbai in the last year and pours some tasty beers in Lower Parel’s Todi Mills. Mumbai-based breweries like Gateway and White Owl also have outposts in the city. But for variety, head to Eddies Bistro, a friendly bar in Bandra — they have a selection of international beers and local brews. Pro tip: If you like coffee, you’re going to want to try the coffee mead from Pune’s Moonshine Meadery — Eddies stocks pints, so ask for one.
Spot marine life
Mumbai’s shores may not be known as the cleanest, but they are still home to many little wonders. Marine Life of Mumbai is a young citizen-driven initiative that spotlights the creatures that live on the city’s fringes. The community — which comprises marine biologists, students, and nature lovers — conducts guided walks on the city’s beaches and rocky shores. You’re likely to spot hermit crabs hiding away in borrowed shells, pink anemone clinging onto rocks, and otherworldly nudibranches (soft-bodied marine molluscs) hanging out in tide pools. Follow the groups Facebook page to see if a walk is on when you’re in the city.
Happy Exploring!
Originally published at www.authenticook.com.
