A few pics from Mumbai

These are just a sample of things I've seen around Mumbai - maybe not representative but they give an idea of the few things I've seen around while wandering.

 

 

 

 

Mumbai 2

Ok, still here in Mumbai but looking forward to leaving tomorrow.  It's been hothothot, polluted and loudloudloud.  I'm now walking around all the time with earplugs in - a great suggestion by Anne.  There are some great places for food & drink on the main drag here in Colaba, but you're absolutely deafened when you sit in them, between either loud music, street noise echoing inside and loud patron voices.  Took a short walk yesterday in the city during the day, but the heat beat me down; then a boat ride at 3pm to go to the island of Elephanta.  Even hot on the hour-long ride on the boat, though less than in the city.  I think I sweated out a couple of liters walking the steps (through solid walls of small shops selling everything that you see everywhere) and then to the rock temples.  Wild and worthwhile to see, though I think that the half or one hour earlier boats (they leave every half hour from the Gateway to India) would be a better idea.  Just did some walking about today, but decided to get a matinee movie in to get to sit in a cold, dark place - saw the teen's vampire flic 'New Moon'.  Definitely a fan base of teen girls here. 
Anyway, off to check my pics & a read & a snooze.

Mumbai

Made it to Mumbai for Anne's flight home.  Our flight from Goa was only about two hours late in leaving (Pete and Margaret's was about five hours late), and arrived here to the expected insanely dense and loud driving that Mumbai is made of.  Stayed in a modern style hotel (Hotel Columbus), with all the amenities, for the night.  Went with Anne at 3am for her flight, but they only allow ticketed passengers in.  Ah well.
Have since settled in to the Bentley's Hotel in Colaba in Mumbai - only one and a half hot, stinky, very noisy hours worth of taxi drive to the hotel.  Have a huge room for three people (but charged for one), with a glassed-in sitting area balcony overlooking the main street.  A bit of noise for a bit a visual entertainment.  Took a walk around in the afternoon, had a bit of a meal and then a bookstore stop and a caramel latte (civilized place) and, as I'm very close to the Gate of India, went down to take in the early evening scene (which there is lots of).
Anyway, I still have blogging material for Goa, so I may hive-off the images to a separate blog, and then continue on with the trip.

Sunset pics at Agonda

Ok, again I'm quite behind....but what can I say.  We're here having a good time, so naturally sitting around at the house or at the Monsoon Restaurant and eating lemon-honey or banana pancakes in the heat of the day has to take priority over the blog.  Definitely lazing around today after a full and hard day of shopping in the big mess that is Palolem  So, an appropriate bunch of blog pics is a selection from some of the sunsets around here. Not particularly looking forward to leaving in a couple of days, but that's what's happening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some new pics around Agonda, post-trip to Hampi (have to catch up!)

Ok, so I changed around the previous blog, moved some pics from there to here...etc.  Back from our trip to Hampi.  As Anne said, ' Wayyy behond her expectations!' (I knew the place would blow anyone's mind). It was a lot cooler in Hampi - daytime highs in the upper 20's only, evening down to ~15 degrees! Huge changes around the beach in Agonda in the five days we were away - the high seas combined with public workers haved cleaned up the beach quite a lot.  Pretty warm still, though.  Still, lots of pics from around here, so I'll try to get these done and up.  

 

Pete with his favorite fruit.

 

 

 

 

 

Ladies of a local little shop.

 

 

 

Nets

 

A big can of manure.

 

Some more pics from around Agonda - a short list with more to come.

It's been beautiful here for the last few days - sunny, clear skies, some nice breezes.  But this afternoon it turned Steenking Hot again.  My prediction - or hope - is for a return to the more mild weather.  We're off by train to Hampi in a few days, then returning to Agonda for the last bit before Anne has to return home. (Revised blog)

 

 When we first got here in October there were TONS of these things  washed up on the shore.  After having been stung in 1995, I had no urge to go in & swim with the jellyfish.  Since the cyclone they've fortunately completely disappeared and swimming on this gentle beach is a dream.

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 There are some huge butterflies here, but I almost never seem to be able to catch a pic of them.

 

 

 

 

 

I can't help it.  There are lots of animals around here...and I don't mean just foreigners....or all the cows (way more cows than over the last years).  Lots of beach dogs, but a fair number of cats...and kittens.