A luxurious and relaxed weekend in Mumbai during summer

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You might be having cold feet to think of Mumbai during Summer. Still, you can dig in the best out of Mumbai and have the happy-go-lucky stay to spend your foolproof summer vacation.

Stay: ITC Maratha
Dates: 11th May to 13th May 2018
From: Hyderabad
Places Visited: Hazi Ali Dargah, Mahalakshmi Temple, Shopping at Colaba Market, Gateway of India, Marine drive, Chatrapathi Shivaji Vastusangrahalaya.

Day 1: 11th May 2018

Reached Mumbai airport by 7:10 a.m. and as we still had time to check-in to the hotel, we planned to visit Hazi Ali Dargah which I missed to visit during my visit to Mumbai earlier.
All set to Mumbai!!!


Waiting Times = Selfie Times. Wink!!!
Hazi Ali Dargah:
And as a traveller, I always feel that we can know the city better only if we explore it by ourselves than going for tourist packages. So we walked to the nearest railway station, Vileparle and got down at Mahalakshmi station.

Found this lottery ticket shop during our walk. Wanna try? 
From there, you can find a number of buses going towards Hazi Ali Dargah. So we caught a bus and got down at Hazi Ali. I was expecting to see the water flowing over the walkway to Dargah but due to low tides, I missed that. The maintenance of the Dargah was poor and I was down in the dumps.
Hazi Ali Dargah!!
Shree Mahalakshmi Temple:

We walked to Mahalakshmi Temple as it is just 1 km away from the Dargah and it is one of the famous and oldest temples of Mumbai which was built in the year 1785. This temple had a history with the "Hornby Vellard"- a project to build a causeway uniting all seven Islands of Mumbai(Isle of Bombay, Colaba, Old Woman's Island-Little Colaba, Mahim, Mazagoan, Parel, Worli)  into a single island with a deep natural harbour. It was said that after the portions of seawall of the project collapsed twice, the Chief Engineer Ramji Shivji Prabhu dreamt of Devi statue in seawater near Worli. A search recovered the idol and he built a temple for it. After this, the project was completed without a hindrance.
The seven Islands of Mumbai!!!
We spent an hour in the temple enjoying the breezes from the sea. We then walked to Cafe Coffee day of Hazi Ali branch as we need a quiet place to relax and as we were sweat-logged. After spending an hour having my favourite Sizzling brownie, we booked a cab to ITC Maratha as we were dead on our feet than to explore by public transport.

Bandra-Worli Sea Link:

On the way to our hotel, we came across this modern marvel "Bandra-Worli Sea link" which connects Worli and Bandra. I say it is a must visit to have the architectural indulgence.
Bandra-Worli Sea Link

Slum near toll gate of sealink with beautiful colours!!
We checked-in to our hotel and we were in 'devil-may-care' attitude for the day adoring the richness of the hotel.

Day 2: 12th May 2018

After a heavy complimentary breakfast,  we planned to go shopping in Colaba. So we hired an auto to Vileparle station and caught a local train till Church Gate station. 
Local train experience. Disappointed as it is not crowded
From there, we walked towards the nearest bus stop to catch a bus to Colaba Market. 
A selfie with the Bombay High Court.
We got into 137 number bus and got down at Colaba Causeway. I enjoyed shopping in that market where you can find all sorts of antiques, fashion accessories, trendy clothes. Though it is a street market, you can even find all branded showrooms to my luck and that made even Nithin happy. 
Shopping Shopping Shopping!!!!
PS: If you are exhausted doing street shopping then go to these ac showrooms to relax. Best way to shop in summer. Wink!!
Which colour is good?

While I was busy in shopping, Nithin came across this old restaurant, Churchill cafe and his instincts told him that it may be the best restaurant and found it is true. 
Cafe Churchill.
Had the best food there and continued my shopping. 
Gateway of India and Chatrapathi Shivaji Vastusangrahalaya: 

I finished off my shopping by 3:30 p.m. and as it was not the perfect timing for the marine drive, we walked towards the Chatrapathi Shivaji Vastusangrahalaya museum to spend our afternoon via Gateway of India. 

Being to Mumbai and without a picture with Gateway of India? No chance.
A selfie!!!

Found someone to capture us!!!
Spent 2 hours in the museum and headed towards the beauty of Mumbai, " Marine Drive" 
Here are the few glimpses from the museum. 
Don't know the reason for the curve of the tree but made Nithin capture me with interest. Wink!!

Inside the hall!!



The Jewellery!!!

Lioness with the lion!! Wink!!!

Find me!!!! 

The Paintings!!!!!
Marine Drive:

On our walk, we came across "Rustom ICecream Parlour" which offers best sandwich icecreams and this place was even suggested by one of my students (FYI, I am an Assistant Professor by profession).  

K Rustom's Icecream Parlour
Best Sandwich Icecreams!!!
During the walk, you can find many historic and old buildings!!!
View of Rajabai Clock Tower

As it was Sunday, the Marine Drive was completely occupied. A  couple offered a place for us to relax and enjoy the Sunset which tells kindness of Mumbaians!!!

The Sunset at Marine Drive!!

Selfie time!!


Chat time!!!

Then we headed towards our hotel and had the fancy dinner. 

Dinner time!!

Day 3: 13th May 2018

Relaxed in the pool followed by breakfast and a nap. Checked out from our luxury hotel and then went to Phoenix mall as our flight was 10 30 p.m.

Yummy Roman and Fried rice at Wok Express.
You will get best Japanese food ever here!!!


We were Joyous!!!

  Did some shopping followed by a movie and then back to the airport. Miss you Mumbai!!!!!
Bye bye time!!!!!

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