Decide to venture to Chowpatty Beach which is a couple of km away from where we are staying in Colaba. Ultimate goal is to get some good Indian food. Taxi along the seafront promenade and are shocked by the number of people out - groups of boys, girls, families, & groups of friends all just hanging out on the 2 km stretch that is Chowpatty. It must be about 8pm but the beach is packed with people eating, drinking shakes and hanging out. It's a crazy scene. Lots of extended families out too which is so sweet to see - Indian's are big on family. Lots of begging - quite common to turn around and their is a small child hanging off my bag....
There are a few restaurants but stumble upon one with a queue outside & hope that this can only mean good things. Restaurant full of Indians, again we are the only foreigners. Order food (sorry don't remember exactly what for you foodie lovers out there) & is the most divine Indian meal ever had! I will spit on Brick Lane next time I am there.
Next day venture to Elephanta island which about an hour boat ride from Gateway to India. It's a super hazy morning and reminds me the scene in King Kong where the island suddenly appears through the mist....although in this case there is a monstrous oil refinery and oil tankers which pop up first. The island is a breath of fresh air after 3 days of Mumbai smog hell. A lush green island with a cave constructed in the 8th century containing 9 panels depicting Shiva in different aspects of his history and the Trimurti, three faced Shiva is stunning! Our guide thankfully turns out to be the most thorough and spends 1.5 hours talking through each panel. Most of the other tours have already finished and back on boat to Mumbai. The other amazing thing on the island are the numerous cheeky monkey's swiping food out of peoples hands and basically being totally mischievous!
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