Around the World III

Day 2 - Thr 05 Apr 07 - Mumbai

Not much sleep last night, and I thought the flight was quite bumpy at times. I glad I paid the extra few quid to get the Economy plus seat, it was worth it. We landed 10 mins early and I was one of the first off and through immigration and customs in super quick time. Hand luggage only doesn't seem to get the customs guys interest!

I cashed a travellers cheque and paid 700 Rupees to get an AC taxi into the centre of Mumbai, due to the manic nature of the traffic it took almost two hours to that! As soon as we left the terminal the guy had to get a map from the boot - not a good sign! Anyway he did get me to Victoria Terminus (VT) train station.

I put my bag in left luggage and headed out to see the Gate of India, cripes it's HOT, I'm sweating a lot. I found the gate, and took a few photos, and then popped into the Taj Hotel next door to get something to eat, and a lot of water to drink! By the time I left it was almost 15:00 and it was a bit cooler (but not much!)

I did part of the LP walking tour, past the University and the High Courts, all very gothic, just like VT. My first impression of India are very favourable, and it's no dirtier or smellier than a lot of the places I've visited.

Got back to VT in plenty of time to catch my sleeper train, and got my bag, but I'm suffering now what with the heat and the lack of sleep. My train leaves at 18:50, and at 17:50 (after being in the station for an hour or so), I notice that there is no mention of my train on the departures board. I ask at the information desk and find that my train leaves from Bombay Central not VT. Agghh!

I head out a grab a taxi, it's not that far, but seems it took two hours to get from the airport this morning I'm worried. The driver understand the gravity of the situation, and heads off with his horn blaring. After cutting most of the road users of Mumbai up, and driving down the wrong side of a few roads, we arrive in Bombay Central with a half hour to spare! I give him a generous tip.

My train is waiting at the platform, and my name is on the reservation board at the bottom of the platform! After a bit of stress finding my coach I get in, settle down, and collapse on my bed. Phew!