7th Feb 07 - Mumbai

After the flight via Dubai, we boarded Hebridean Spirit which remained berthed overnight in Mumbai. Following day we did a quick tour of Mumbai before setting sail at 1.00pm

Mumbai is a City of extremes. Fine buildings from its colonial days, modern skyscrapers housing India's booming economy and abject poverty. All usually on the same street.

The Gateway to India

Chhatrapati Sivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus). The main railway station in Mumbai that handles upwards of a million passengers each day. Now a World Heritage Site

The Municipal Corporation Building

Thousands of battered old Fiat taxis honk their way through the crowded streets. Took us over 2 hours to go the 15km from the airport.

Alongside many of the roads you find these pavement houses. Basically shacks housing poor people

These poor people do all kind of menial jobs like dragging heavy carts

Or these women digging the roads and carrying the rumble on their heads

Or working in the Laundry. A shirt, washed, starched and ironed costs 5 rupees - c7p!

Still that is better than the many beggars who accost you everytime you stop. Here on the bridge over Marine Drive. Many hold up what look like starving babies. I couldn't find it in me to take a photo of them. Our guide told us it was all a big (cruel) con. Note the cloud of pollution hanging over the city.

Leaving Mumbai to sail to Murid Janjira

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