After the long day yesterday, I deserved a sleep in, all the way to a ridiculous 9:30am. I feel like a slob.
I misjudged the checkout time (it was 11:00am). Luckily, I was prepared the night before. I usually get myself ready quickly. I received a call just before 11am reminding me to check-out. I was halfway through clipping my fingernails on my last hand. I even had time to file 🙂.
Transit days are effectively lost travel days. Besides the Indigo plane encountering technical issues, delaying the take-off time out of Goa by 2:30hrs, the plan for my evening exploring was hampered as I missed the golden hour of light to take pictures.
It didn't help that the plane sat on the ground with no AC in 34°C heat for 1:30hrs before we deboarded the plane, and a new plane was provided.
Landing in Mumbai at 8:30pm and then a bit over 1hr to get to Churchgate Station. This was where my self-exploring tour began. Catching the local bus and then a train was easy. It only cost RS5 for the bus and RS10 for the train. That is crazy cheap!
Even though I was walking the streets when the city should be at its quietest, it was noticeable that the city was cleaner than Delhi. There was still rubbish and pollution, but not to the extent of what is in Delhi.
Mumbai appears to be a much livelier city than Delhi. There appears to be more wealth as there are many more luxury vehicles around. The people on the street appear to be more well-off. This could feel totally different during normal hours.
I also tried a new food, chicken shawarma. It is like a miniature kebab wrap (gyros), but the wrap is made of paratha. Simple yet super yummy! Better than my previous favourite Indian food, the masala dosa.
Mumbai was 27°C+ at midnight, but it was tolerable. I was sweating, and my pants stuck to my legs. Lucky I do not smell when I sweat 😆. I have to stay in these clothes all the way to Canberra.
On my way back to the airport, the main train to the airport was closed for the night (past midnight). Even though Google Maps indicated that the train route was an option, the ticket office would not sell me a ticket. Some locals also thought the train was operating but they received the same clarification that I did.
I had no choice but to catch a taxi, which cost RS700. That just shows how much more expensive private transport is. But, that is half the price of an equivalent taxi in Goa. Goa is a massive cartel rip-off.
There was epic traffic congestion at 1am towards the airport! Mumbai is a city that does not sleep. The airport runs 24/7.
If the traffic is that busy at 1-2am...imagine how busy it is during the daytime! Public transport would be the most efficient way to get around (trains).
I wouldn't have minded having maybe one more day in Mumbai. But at the same time, I am quite content with what I saw in the evening. It could have been rougher walking in some serious heat.
Thanks India. We are done.
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