Chasing Sunsets in Mumbai

Chasing Sunsets in Mumbai

I must admit that I have not spent as much time in Mumbai as I would like. Whenever I have visited, it’s always been for just a quick, overnight stop. Today, instead of arguing with airlines and chasing missed flight connections, I am going to be calm and take a walk down memory lane and to the nostalgic sunsets in and around  Mumbai. So, off we go!

Lets go, Mumbai!

Why Mumbai?

You mean, why are we chasing sunsets in Mumbai? Well, simply put, I recently came across some very stunning and surreal pictures of orange-filled, golden skies in and around this people-packed city. It would not be right for me to keep them all for myself.

Striking! Splendid evening at the beach.

  

First, Tell Me Something About Mumbai.

Well, many know Mumbai as Bombay. The first two things I noticed in Mumbai were ‘opportunities’ and ‘reality’. These are two small words in a big city of hope, and both words direct each individual in a different direction. Briefly put, Mumbai is the business, finance, and entertainment capital of India, and the lives of most people are intertwined around these parts of life.

The sun over the city of opportunities.

Like in many large, growing Asian cities, Mumbai is very crowded, mostly with people and vehicles. Standstill traffic is not uncommon. With large crowds come intensified noise. Believe me when I say it’s loud! There are not only the vehicle honks and train whistles enveloping the city, but also the pop and classical beats that will mysteriously get you moving. Soft-spoken people need to speak up. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait forever for your order of Pau Bhaaji and ginger-masala chai (tea). 

Now, did you hear that? ‘Lights. Camera. Roll. Take one…. Cut! ’.  You are right, we are in Bollywood, the movie capital of Asia. Spot any of your favourite stars yet? Keep looking.

Spotted one!

Then comes the lovely mix of bold colours that forms the heart of this city—the people of Mumbai. I always make it a point to stress about the people in Reaching Delphi. It’s the people of the town who make a difference. The same is true of Mumbai.  People from all states of India come to this melting pot of opportunities with renewed hope. When they arrive, they bring along with them their faith, language, culture, and packaged masalas (spice).  What is instantly visible is the  contrasting reality between the haves and have nots, side by side.

Contrasting harmony of Mumbai.

Today, I too have caught the Bombay-rush bug, so we will visit some beautiful places around the Gateway of India before sunset. To take us there is my cousin Karthik, who grew up and rode his cycle and motorbike on these century-old neighbourhood streets. Though today he lives a few seas away, you will find many of his stunning shots, taken during his recent few visits to Mumbai, in this post.

We’ll start with some coffee at Mumbai airport. Look familiar? That’s from the time I missed my flight to Delhi.

 

Outbound flight. Inbound coffee.

Where is Mumbai?

Mumbai, or Bombay, is in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is in western centre of the Indian sub-continent, with borders to the Arabian Sea in the west. It is broken down to two revenue districts, Mumbai City District (Island City or South Mumbai) and Mumbai Suburban District. There are two major ports within these districts (Mumbai Port and Nava Sheva Port). 

Source : https://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/maharashtra/maharashtralocation.htm)

How Do You Get to Mumbai?

There are several feasible options. Here are just a few:

Nostalgic evening in Mumbai

• Plane: Flying in is probably the quickest option to get to Mumbai if you are travelling from another city. You get to beat the hour-long traffic jams. The main airport is Chhatrapati Shivaji International, and it’s considered one of the busiest airports in the world. It also ranks as one of my favourites for its selection of local cuisine.

Fly me away!

• Train: You can reach Mumbai from any part of India. Several train stations are servicing the city. The two main stations are Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (VT) and Mumbai Central. Mumbai is relatively large, so if you are travelling by train, note the nearest departure and arrival stops. By the way, did you know that the first commercial railway service was between VT and Thane in Mumbai in 1853?

  

Indian Rails : Never leave without a chai.

• Road: Taxi, bus, and self-drive services are readily available. Mumbai has one of the better highways and expressways in the country. You’ll find clean rest areas and restaurants along the way.   

 

Chai and coffee stop at the rest area.

  

Travelling within Mumbai.

• Taxi/Ola/Uber/car: These are reasonably priced and always available. Did you know that Uber does more than offer taxi services? You can also opt for an Ola auto-rickshaw through them!

Notice Virat Kohli endorsing Uber Intercity?  That’s one hot chap!

Traffic at the toll, Mumbai --> Pune.

• Auto-rickshaw: Hail one or book one through a booking app. This is a very convenient option for short distance travel.

Auto-rickshaw traffic. 

• Trains – Three lines provide service in the city. Train travel is one of the most common ways to get around domestically. Due to its popularity, it is very packed, especially in economy classes. The Mumbai DabbaWalas also use these trains to deliver the box lunches to offices. Just a note, the DabbaWala delivery service has a 99.9% on-time delivery record each day, so if you haven’t heard of the famous Mumbai-DabbaWala system, then it’s time to google them.

• Bikes/Motorbikes – These are common in the city, and they can be rented easily. But do be careful of traffic; as you can see here, the onions are far more important.

Costly onions.

• Metro – Metro travel covers the western and eastern suburbs of the city.

• Monorail – There is just one monorail line servicing within the town.

• Ferry – Travellers can opt for ferry services for their intra-city travel. Looking for more adventure? Take a boat ride on one of these colourful boats at the Gateway of India. Those colours reflect the different colours in every day. Well, go on, pick your boat, and make a new friend.

Different colours, different lives.

Speaking of colours, did I mention that Karthik is an artist too? Here is one of his sketches. Quick, hurry! Hail an auto to the beach! 

Jump on. Honk! Honk!

Language

The official language of the state and city is Marathi. Since Mumbai is a cosmopolitan city, you will also notice that Hindi and other Indian languages and dialects are spoken. Don’t worry too much if you are not familiar with any of them. You can get by with English. 

Where Do You Stay in Mumbai?

Mumbai offers a wide array of hotel options to suit any budget. Though there are plenty, the right hotels at reasonable prices get snapped up fast, so be quick when deciding.

Look here! In the distance is the luxurious Taj Hotel just near the Gateway of India. We are heading to the Gateway next for a quick stop.

Hold on tight!

Gateway of India.

The Gateway of India is one of the most well-known landmarks in Mumbai. This nearly century-old monument sits grandly overlooking the Mumbai Harbour. The monument (on the left) was constructed in 1924 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay (Mumbai). The gateway is one of the tourist hotspots in the city.  

Gateway of India.

Notice the building on the right? That is the famous Taj Hotel, my cousin’s first workplace in hotel management. Now you can understand the long-term connection the Taj and the Gateway he has. This spot is the confluence of work, pleasure, and the future, as he puts it. And just as for many other Mumbaiites, this is one of the spots in the city to watch glorious sunsets that can inspire you to make crucial decisions in life.

What do you do if you are too early for the sunset? Watch the pigeons! 😊  

Dancing with the pigeons at the Taj.

Sun Sea and Sand in Mumbai

There is a lot to cover in and around Mumbai, and a short trip is not going to be sufficient. But with the little time in hand, you will find a lot of comfort in the calmness of the beaches in this big vibrant city. The best part is you don’t need to travel too many miles to get there. Mumbai has a long coastal line, so the Arabian Sea may just be a few meters away from you.     

Who is that on my beach?

The Juhu Beach is also right at the heart of Mumbai. This is a very popular after-work retreat where endless shades of citrus filled skies meet. Here, life zooms by.

I come to you, Mumbai.

Mumbai, as I mentioned earlier, is the commercial and financial capital of India, so naturally, you will see masses of people filling in busses and trains each morning to punch their cards on time. Everyone! The IGens. The Echo Boomers. The MTV Generation. The Silent Generation. But when the heat of the rush gets in the way, and you can’t make it for the sunset, you need an escape plan. How about a sunrise to welcome the day instead? The serene sunrise at Nagaon Beach, just 9 kilometres away from central Mumbai, is the perfect respite.

Where am I? Mumbai, really?

Below are more shots taken in the morning at Nagaon Beach.  The past, present, and the open future are there all in one take.

The past, present and future. Time to explore beyond.

Or, perhaps you may want to look further and deeper through the fog for some clarity while you are here. And, if it gets too misty, how about following these markers to where it takes you  ...

Follow where the markers lead you to....

After witnessing a glorious sunrise and having some hot steamy coffee, we noticed a few others also taking a stroll on the beach. What a brilliant way to start the day. A heated discussion in a misty morning.

Misty Mumbai start.

We followed them. ‘We need a better view. How do we get there as planned?’ I imagined they were saying.

Sherlock Holmes on duty, follow 'em.

Their plans got a lot clearer, and so did the weather. Decisions were made. Solutions had been found. The sun was out again.

Puzzle solved, the day and minds are aligned.

It’s time to get back to the Gateway. So, jump onto a catamaran at the jetty.

That's my ride.

An active environmentalist and nature lover himself, Karthik informed me that the beaches were not always as clean as what we see in the photos today. The city’s beaches were once smothered with plastic and rubbish. About three and a half years ago, a local Mumbaiite, Afroz Shah, kicked off the world’s largest beach clean-up project. What a great effort! Watch this short video here to see more.

Cleaner beaches for us and the turtles today.

With each sunset, there is renewed hope for something even better and more colourful the next day. Expectations come from our imaginations and create surreal realities.

Stay positive. May your tomorrows start today with the sunrise of hope and conscience, only to be completed with beautiful sunsets.

Karthik, the sunrises and sunsets are surreal! Thank you for showing us around Mumbai.  See you again, Mumbai.  Counting Stars, Reaching Delphi.

Good night Mumbai.

Explore Munich : Deutsches Museum

Deutsches Museum :  A Visit to the World’s Largest Science and Technology Museum in Europe

We are once again in Germany. If you love history and are seeking places to satisfy your thirst for knowledge, then you will be overwhelmed with the number of museums in the country. Munich (München) alone has over eighty museums, but today, we will visit just one, the Deutsches Museum.⁽¹⁾

Aviation

What is the Deutsches Museum?

The Deutsches Museum is the world’s largest science and technology museum. It’s home to over 28,000 exhibited objects from 50 fields of science and technology, making it a great place for adults and children to spend a day getting up to speed on the technological innovations of the past, present, and future. What an educational way to spend a day off!

The museum is so large that visitors often get lost and enchanted by the numerous exhibits. Just remember to pick up a floor plan at the entrance!

When was the Deutsches Museum Founded?

The museum was founded in June 1903. A German engineer, Oskar von Miller, was an instrumental figure in this field and is considered the founder of Deutsches Museum.

Where is the Deutsches Museum Located?

The Deutsches Museum spreads over several sites. The main location is on a small island, known as Museumsinsel, in the Isar River in Munich. If you remember, we saw quite a bit of the Isar in the colourful Autumn Walk post last year.

Location

The other sites in the country include:

• Flugwerft Schleißheim (Munich), which houses aviation exhibits and opened in 1992.
• Deutsches Museum Verkehrszentrum (Munich), which features transportation technology exhibits and opened in 2003.
• Bonn Branch (Bonn), which focuses on German technology and research after 1945.

How Do You Get to the Deutsches Museum?

The museum recommends visitors to use public transport to get to Museumsinsel.⁽²⁾

• S-Bahn:

All trains, Isartor

• Tram:

Line 17, Deutsches MuseumLine 16, IsartorLine 18, FraunhoferstraßeLine 19, Deutsches Museum

• Bus:

Line 132, BoschbrückeLine 52 + 62, Baaderstrasse

• U-Bahn:

Line 1 + 2, Fraunhoferstrasse

Getting there

When Can I Visit the Deutsches Museum?

The museum is open to the public every day between 9 am and 5 pm, but do check their homepage before visiting to be aware of any changes.

What Are Some of the Exhibits?

Science freaks will love this place. If you are not one, you will still be amazed at endless variety of exhibits to explore, including those that teach visitors about various sciences, history, musical instruments, minerals, machines, and technology. I am sure you will find at least a couple of topics that interest you!

Here are some of the permanent exhibits you’ll find at the museum:⁽³⁾

List of exhibits

I’ve also included some photos of the various exhibits at the Museumsinsel site. Hopefully they give you a feel of the amazing findings this museum showcases. Here is a try at them. 😊 

•         Energy Technology 

This section showcases various energy sources from windmills to water mills. You can also see artificial streams and models that show how hydro-power spins the watermills.

Energy technology

·         Glass industry

This section shows the work that goes on inside a glass factory.

At work

Here’s another form of glass. Ever wonder what early spectacles looked like? Well, you’ll find out here! For the curious, they were created as early as 1600. Also, did you know Brille means glasses in Deutsch?

That's just like the one I wear

 ·         Ceramics

The next picture shows pottery and ceramics dating back to thousands of years ago. The regions where they were discovered are also mentioned in exhibits. 

Any China for coffee?

·         Toys

This is section is for the small and not-so-small. These are modern toys, as Lego’s, ancestors.  Notice that most of them are made from stone. Can you imagine how heavy the the old-Lego-like grand pas would have been?

The kid inside us

Don’t these blocks look amazing? These are not printed like the ones we get today. These are actual cut stones.

Santa's sack will be heavy

·         Aviation/Aerospace

There were so many interesting displays of early aircrafts. Here two very famous ones!

Fly fly

·         History of Music, Musical Instruments, and TV.

There are many traditional musical instruments and devices that were used for radio and TV broadcasting displayed in this saloon. There was even an unaided piano here where the keys moved on their own to produce the sounds. See the invisible musician? 😊

The invisible musician

·         Clocks.

You’ll find many types of clocks in this section. Here is one. Can you tell if it is lunch time?

Tell me when its lunch

·         Mining

To finish off, here is a picture of a mine. You can see also see amazing and very fascinating shows about how natural resources have been mined.

Dark exploration

I have been informed by the museum that currently the museum is undergoing major refurbishment  activities and only half of the building is open to the public. Nevertheless, there is so much to see and a day is still hardly sufficient to cover the open areas. For more information visit here. 


The museum is vast and hugely popular among visitors of all ages. It is a highly recommended place to visit, so when you are in Munich, be sure to plan some time to come here.

An entrance ticket is required for anyone over six years of age, and it can be purchased either on location or online. Yearly membership is also available for the frequent visitor. Do check for any local concessions offered.  Visitors who are on a tight travel budget need not worry. Tickets are reasonably priced. 

As I mentioned earlier, visitors can easily get lost (in thought) here. It is not unusual to spend many hours at this museum. If you get hungry, there is a large restaurant where you can get a good meal and a hot cup of coffee. Below are some hot cuppas from around Germany. Pick one, and enjoy your coffee while seeing the exhibits at the museum.

Reach for knowledge. Reach for the stars, Reaching Delphi.

Thank you for the coffee pictures 💗

Traveller on location : Babak. Danke schön Babak for the pictures and taking us on a tour of the museum. (Virtual traveller, me 😎 )

(1)    http://www.munich-touristinfo.de/museums.htm

(2)    http://www.deutsches-museum.de/en/information/how-to-get-to-the-museumsinsel/

(3)    https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Deutsches_Museum

Update: 18/June - regarding refurbishment activities.

Japanese Cherry Blossom Trail, Part Three: Spring-Shades and Candy-Lit Tokyo.

Japanese Cherry Blossom Trail, Part Three:  Spring-Shades and Candy-Lit Tokyo.

“And so the spring buds burst, and so I gaze,

And so the blossoms fall, and so my days ...”

Uejima Onitsura

Tokyo Mid-Town

Our final destination in the Japanese Cherry Blossom Trail is the country’s capital, Tokyo. Here we get glimpses of nature’s cheery transformation after a monochrome-skied winter. It’s a gift that is in abundance for all, for the haves and have-nots, for all ethnicities, races, colours, genders, and ages. A gift that speaks in the language of flowers. Spring.

The Japanese Cherry Blossom Trail

For the locals, the cherry blossom season is a special time of the year. The cherry flowers are also known as sakura in Japan, meaning ‘sacred flower’. For the Japanese, the sakura is an unspoken symbol of appreciation, and in this post, I will focus more on the spring flowers rather than about metropolitan city itself.

By the way, I have included some extracts from Parts One and Two here, in case you have missed them.

Roppongi and Tokyo Mid-town

During our visit, we stayed in the famous Roppongi district. Who? Me? At Roppongi? Yep, I received many raised eyebrow reactions when I mentioned this to my friends.

A walk in spring

Well, Roppongi is noted as the nightlife district of Tokyo. It is known for its foreigner-friendly bars and restaurants. I am not exactly a late-night explorer (plus, I was doped up on anti-allergy medication for hay fever…), so I missed out on seeing the neon lights and night-time activities. I wasn’t too disappointed, though, because I woke up early to the sights of beautiful dew-filled, low-hanging, pink-blossom clouds. The enchanting pictures in this post are from the surrounding neighbourhoods of Roppongi,  Mid-Town, Roppongi Hills, Shiroyama Garden, Izumi Garden, and ARK Hills.

A serene cherry-lit pond

Apart from being the centre of nightlife, Roppongi is also home to many foreign embassies, so you’d feel safe (or should I say even safer) walking along these streets.

Spring-shades 

Mid-Town, which was just a few hundred meters away from our hotel, was recently opened in 2007. Mid-Town is essentially a city within the city. There are plenty of commercial, residential, and entertainment facilities located in the neighbourhood, making it easy to access everything you need without having to leave the area.

Around Roppongi neighbourhood

I am sure you would recognise the leading brands in Roppongi, such as the Mori Building Company, The Pokémon Company, Fuji Xerox, Google Japan, Yahoo Japan, and Ritz Carlton.

Hanami (and coffee) at Tokyo Mid-Town

In the picture below, you will notice people picnicking and having drinks with their eyes gazing at the blossom-filled landscape. All were awestruck and silent. I was too. This activity of just picnicking under the cherry blossoms is a centuries-old practice known as Hanami.

Silent admiration. That's a Mount Fuji replica, in case you missed the real one.

What is the Cherry Blossom?

In very few words, it’s a flower grown on trees. But it’s no ordinary flower. It symbolises friendship and peace. It also expresses a time of renewal and the fleeting nature of life. It’s also the national flower of Japan.

Interestingly, all cherry trees produce a small number of edible cherries. The trees are of genus Prunus—the family of plums, apricot and peaches. They are also known as Ume trees.

Spring, spring, spring shades

There is a wide variety of cherry blossom species and hybrids today, and the most popular one in Japan is Somei Yoshino. Each species produces a unique bloom, creating a variety of cherry flower sizes, colours, thicknesses, shapes, and fragrances.

What is the Cherry Blossom Season?

Just as the name suggests, this is the season when the cherry flowers (sakura) bloom. This happens only for a short period, usually starting in late March and ending in early April. Having said this, I also learnt that cherry flowers also blossom in the autumn months. So, there is more than one opportunity to see cherry flowers in the year.

Colour me sweet

When is the (Spring) Cherry Blossom Season in Japan?

It’s in the spring months of March and April. The weather cannot be predicted, so when planning a trip, it’s good to pad in a couple more days before and after the forecasted dates.

Speed of the blossom .... just like at a race track

Just cross-check your travel itinerary with the latest Sakura Calendar issued by Japanese Meteorological Agency. It captures the cherry blossom stages and dates by region and comes in handy when deciding on your cherry blossom plans. This calendar sure makes planning so much easier, don’t you agree?

Here are the forecasted dates for all major cities in 2019.

According to the dates shown, the full bloom forecast in Tokyo was on 27 March 2019. If you want to take part in this local celebration of confetti but missed out on it, don’t fret. You are not at all late for the next one!

  

Winter sakura, on the other hand, start blooming in autumn and continue to bloom sporadically throughout the winter. Even if you miss that, there is always next spring! Unfortunately, I do not have the calendar for the winter sakura.

Near the hotel

How Long is the Cherry Blossom Season in Japan?

In addition to buffering in a few additional days before and after your trip, do take note that these cotton-candy flowers can only be sighted for a short while. There’s only about two weeks between when the buds form to when they drop off. Stay longer if you wish to see the full progression.

Fairyland

Do you notice the fallen petals on the grass? When I first saw them, I thought the grass was covered in frosted ice!

Frosted ice? I don't think so, just the fallen spring petals

When more petals start to fall, they form a lovely carpet of snow-white petals. It begins to get a little sad, but as long as there is the sun, there will be another season. A renewal of hope, as they say.

What are the Stages of the Flower Formation?

The flowers bloom in six stages. As the blooming progresses over several days, you can experience different ambiances that generate a different aura for each person witnessing the trees’ beauty. To understand the stages better, here is the countdown:

• Stage 1—The formation of green buds indicating the arrival of spring.
• Stage 2—Florets become visible. This usually happens 14 days prior the peak bloom. Here is when the countdown begins.
• Stage 3—The florets are extended. This is usually 12 days before the peak bloom.
• Stage 4—Flower stems can be noticed. This is often six days before the peak bloom.
• Stage 5—Fluffy white/pink/red flowers are formed. This is usually on days 10 and 11.
• Stage 6—The peak! At this point, almost 70% of the blossoms have bloomed. 

Where Else Can We See Cherry Blossoms?

If you are not able to go to Japan, do not fret. These delicate flowers can be found in many other counties. Japan has given the sakura to many countries as gifts. Today, sakura can be found all over the world, especially in temperate zones (such as in the US, Germany, Netherlands, Nepal, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, New Zealand, and Australia). It’s easier than ever to see the glory of these flowers!

Here is a list I have gathered of all the places you can go to see these magnificent blossoms. Do let me know if I have missed out your country. I will add them in. After all, the flowering season is for everyone!

  

Have I listed your place?

What Do You Do During Cherry Blossom Season?

• Hanami. This is the tradition of welcoming the spring. Just sit, take a walk, relax, read, or sip a drink amongst the gentle, fluffy petals. Take it all in. For me, this was a humbling experience and quiet appreciation of scent and colours.

Now its time for coffee (and wine).  RD 's coffee with some Tokyo blossoms

• Create a Yearly Sakura Album or Journal. Capture photos of blooms every day, from the time the buds say hello until the time the petals say goodbye. The sakura is a sacred flower, and so this activity is widespread among the locals. Did you notice the cell phones pointing to the flowers?

Snap away

• Snap away. Well, thank God for digital cameras; otherwise, I would have to spend a fortune for the Kodaks, and so would this gentleman here. His model was his car, and the studio setting was the empty, spring-pastel-shaded street. I wanted a mugshot with the car but got a bit too tongue-tied to request. Remember what Kobayashi Issa, the Japanese poet, said? ‘In the cherry blossoms’ shade, there's no such thing as a stranger.’ That is almost true. Look—I took a picture of him and his car instead. (His face and car plate have been blurred off for privacy reasons.)

Smile, you are on candid camera

And then, of me, away from that handsome car. That is my car … in my dreams.

Hello again

• Admire the flowers during the day and night. At night, these wonders look like rain clouds under the moonlight.

When night falls on the blossoms ....

Towards the end of the season, the petals form on a snow-like carpet—the confetti of spring. I always thought fairyland was something just in my head. After seeing cherry blossoms in Tokyo, I know such magical places exist. It’s time to trust your instincts again, hear that voice, even if it’s a call from Peter Pan.

Did you hear that?  Peter Pan?

Henry Ward wrote ‘Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made and forgot to put a soul in to’. But under the sky of flowers, I felt the soul of the cherry blossoms as they whispered to each other.

The soul of the flowers

I am filled with a little sadness as I end this article. So, I decided to do what I do best—counting those hopeful stars … Counting Stars, Reaching Delphi. I know there will be another pretty spring soon. I am bugged by the spring shades.

Counting those hopeful stars ... Reaching Delphi