iBestTravel Local Deepika Gumaste was born in Mumbai and has lived in the city for nearly 30 years. Deepika’s work as a travel writer has taken her far and wide, but she insists that the most inspiring stories of human dreams, struggles, and accomplishments are found in Mumbai.
When I Have Friends in Town
I start with a train ride to anywhere, perhaps Churchgate or the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus) station in South Mumbai – a quintessential Mumbai experience. Next, I might stop for bun maska (buttered buns) and a glass of ‘cutting chai’ (Mumbai’s popular half-measure of tea, ideal for travellers on the move), served by one of the vendors outside the station. Then, I enjoy a few hours of bargaining for trendy skirts and bohemian shirts at Fashion Street or funky coasters and artsy souvenirs at Good Earth, followed by an evening spent at one of the sea-facing promenades.
When I’m Up for a Big Night Out
I start with a round of beer and pizza at Woodside Inn, Mumbai’s most exciting craft beer destination, before heading on a midnight pub crawl, with my first stop being Bonobo, followed by a game of pool and buzzing contemporary rock at Ghetto. To end the night, I like to retire to Marine Drive, where locals, youngsters, couples, and families gather day and night to enjoy the Arabian Sea reflecting the sparkling city skyline.
For Cheap Eats
I like to indulge at one of the famous khau gallis or ‘food lanes’ that dish out delectable traditional and modern street food snacks such as pav bhaji (bread with spiced vegetables), kachori (fried balls stuffed with spiced pulses), and papri chaat (Mumbai-style salad with crisp wheat wafers). My personal favourite is the Carter Road Khau Galli, lined with stalls serving mouth-watering salads for the health-conscious.
A Typical Weekend Involves
Vada pavs (and lots of them). Every street has at least a couple of street vendors serving this spicy local treat, made from fried potato and chutney stuffed into a fluffy bun. Visitors like to call it the ‘Indian veggie burger’, much to the annoyance of locals, but it’s one snack you can’t miss if you are in Mumbai.
For an Offbeat Mumbai Experience
I like to awaken my inner explorer and set sail for a two-hour sailing boat trip from the Gateway of India or go kayaking around Girgaum Chowpatty. These are just two of many outdoor experiences possible around Mumbai. I love to hike and it isn’t far to the Western Ghats, renowned as one of the top eight hotspots for biological diversity in the world. For history buffs, I enjoy fort-hunting, with my favourite being the 500-year-old Bassein Fort, built by the Portuguese on the outskirts of Mumbai. And when I tire of the city’s fine dining, I head to a local cooking studio, learn to make something new, and devour the food I cook – a major trend that’s sweeping the city.
What I Hate Most About Mumbai
The city has an infuriating overdependence on plastic packaging and fragile infrastructure! Every time the rain washes over the city, this rubbish clogs the drains and floods the streets. Moreover, the incessant honking from motorists drives me mad, as everyone seems to be in a rush to go somewhere!
What I Love the Most About Mumbai
Its people. No matter the situation, whatever the challenge, or the calamity, the resilient nature of Mumbai’s people always shines through. Furthermore, more dreams are realized in Mumbai than in any other place in the country – this city offers everyone another chance to succeed if you possess the ‘Mumbai Spirit’.
I Know I Am a Mumbaikar Because…
I can never stop dreaming, despite challenges and periodic failures. There’s something in the city air that teaches you to persevere and always give 100 percent. I’m continually inspired by the men and women of Mumbai, from Bollywood stars to politicians to entrepreneurs, who dared to turn their dreams into reality.
