emmagus

I am traveling to Mumbai for work and it looks like we are staying at the Four Seasons. I will have one and a half days to myself as my coworker visits her family. She is nervous about me wandering about. So....just wondering.....anything interesting NEAR the Four Seasons I can walk to after work to explore a little? And on my 1 and a half days alone ....what would be interesting to see? I have to say, I will most likely have a driver (boy does that make me feel a bit weird).
I also would love to bring back gifts for my family....so where to get handicrafts (I hate shopping but....)


(This is the person who was scheduled for Bangalore and the trip got changed today)

thursdaysd

I didn't care that much for Mumbai, and it's not really recommended for first-time tourists. In terms of "tourist sights" there's Elephanta Island (I found it disappointing), the Gateway to India (dating from the Raj), the Ghandi Museum, the railway station (also from the Raj). Then there's the beach, the Dhobi Ghats (laundry), and tours of the Dharavi slum. I seem to remember an Anthony Bourdain episode on street food, but you might not want to risk that.

One reason I found the caves on Elephanta Island disappointing was because I had just seen the very impressive Ajanta and Ellora caves. With a day and a half you might look at flying to and from Aurangabad, which is the base for seeing the caves. Unfortunately they are in opposite directions from Aurangabad, so it would be a bit of rush to see both.

I would ask your colleagues for shopping recommendations.

bombayteddy

Since you have a car and driver (and trust me, there's nothing weird about that: in Mumbai's traffic its a necessity!) I would suggest you travel to South Bombay, which is the city proper.
Your trip from the hotel should take you past Haji-Ali (a beautiful mosque in the sea) and then you could go through Breach Candy to the Hanging Gardens, from where you can get a spectacular view of the city. Then drive past Chowpatty beach to Marine Drive, the iconic "Queen's Necklace" where you could park awhile and take-in the city, before proceeding to the Gateway of India in Colaba. You may want to drop-in at the Taj Mahal Hotel which is just opposite and has some superb boutiques. After which, more shopping at Cottage Industries and the Bombay Store in the Fort area.
AVOID the street-food at all costs!! Drink only bottled water (after checking the seal) and cooked items. Eating and drinking in either the Taj or Oberoi hotels is safe and fun...though NOT cheap!

Jaya

Make sure your driver speaks English AND has a cell phone for you to call. Due to congestion, he may have to drop you off and then you have to find each other later. Know the car and plate number too.

I agree with above poster, don't eat the street vendor food even though you'll see tons of other people eating it.

inquest

Four Seasons Mumbai has a lounge bar on the top floor with a spectacular view called Aer. A great place to catch the sunset over the Arabian Sea.

bombayteddy

A similar bar in South Bombay proper is "Dome" on the rooftop of the Marine Drive Intercontinental. And yes, an English-speaking driver (most of the better hotels will offer them) with a cell-phone is a MUST. And it would also be a good idea for the hotel to get you a temporary local number.

emmagus

So I have a crappy cell phone....can I pick one (rental) up at the airport like in Tokyo?
Also, since I will be all alone....what about tours? NOT the slum tour but maybe some other kind of tours? Anyone recommend any?
Thank you

bombayteddy

The hotel will probably rent one to you; and get you a local number too. But seriously, your "crappy cell-phone" would do just fine!
Never mind the tours....there isnt that much to sight-see anyway. Why dont you put my suggested itinerary to the Concierge at the hotel? He/she would probably agree and maybe add a place or two, to make a nice 8-hour outing.

emmagus

Thanks.....such a big city and not much to see....that is sad. O.K. so shopping? I would love to find inexpensive textiles to bring home as gifts. I will contact the Four Seasons and see if I they can rent me a cell phone (I have a crappy prepaid T Mobile....I can't even get service upstate NY!

thursdaysd

Well if you're into movies you could consider a Bollywood tour.

bombayteddy

Bollywood? Forget it. The studios are at the other end of town and a LONG cab-ride away.
Textiles: certainly, but not all that "inexpensive"....depends what youre looking for. There's a whole line of textile shops on Queens Road, which is parallel to Marine Drive....

inquest

I have heard of a couple of companies who do personalized tours,though I haven't done it myself,as i do things myself,I was told they are good.Mumbai Magic is one of them

http://www.mumbaimagic.com/

The other being Bombay Heritage Walks.

http://www.bombayheritagewalks.com/

Start a dialogue with them.See what interests you.

We would appreciate a feedback/trip report here,if you could post your experiences of Mumbai.

emmagus

Inquest....nobody has gotten back to me from those tours. Sigh. Now it appears I do need to fly to Bangalore for one day. I sure would love to have this trip somewhat planned considering I leave in two weeks