Mumbai - December 2011, Part 2

continuation page...

I'll take you through our foot note after meals that day..

The boys with Mumbai trademark Taxi in front of Elphinstone College

We did a right decision to walk after meal (with assurances to the boys that they will get compensation at fabindia boutique soon after) from the hotel that we stayed along the Chhatrapathi Shivaji Road heading towards Mahatma Gandhi (MG) Road. Apparently at least 8 important heritage buildings apart from Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and the Getaway of India shared in my entry yesterday are all seated close to each other. I had to cross the MG road to take the above photo of the boys with the Mumbai taxi. After I've done, I looked up and saw that the building where they stand is the majestic facade of the late 19th century Elphinstone College, a Gothic Victorian style university campus replete with stone balconies, balustrades, turrets and gargoyles. 

19th century Elphinstone College

Apartment buildings opposite Nathalal Parekh Road that I snapped after lunch after shopping at Bossini house. Must be nice for its resident to be surrounded with most important heritage sites of Mumbai.  

A commercial building, also located at Nathalal Parekh Road reflecting part of an art deco buildings in Mumbai. Beautiful. For the record, the photos taken in here is to inspired hubby while constructing our new home.

The Cafe Royal occupies 1 of the unit in the grandeur art deco building along MG Road. It's a classic place to operate a cafe. 

From SP Mukherji Chowk, beyond Madame Cama Road is the National Gallery of Modern Art seen in below photo. This elegant 3 tier circular stone building houses paintings by Indian and Foreign artist. Due to time constraint, we did not enter the gallery.

After passing by Regal Cinema, we stopped to admire the beautiful building house the Institute of Science. It was build using solid sand stone with beautiful decorated balcony.

Slightly further from the college and science institute, I paused Naim to pose as we have reached the entrance to the 19th century of David Sassoon Library. The library was funded by the affluent Jewish businessman, David Sassoon. Being a book worm myself, I could not resist to enter the library to have a glimpse of inside building and smells the books inside.

David Sassoon Library houses 1 of the oldest living library and reading rooms still in use in Mumbai. The building has been listed as a Grade heritage structure within the fort precint and the museum sub-precint as per the heritage regulations of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. It was told that a group of young mechanics and foremen of the Royal Mint and Government Dockyard established a museum and library for mechanical models and architectural design in 1847, which lead to creation of David Sassoon Library in 1863. It was completed in 1870.

After that, we easily found fabindia retail store in 137 Jeroo Building, MG Road. I first went inside the store in year 2010 during 1 of my official trip to Delhi and went crazy over what they have offer in the shop. My purchased extended from garment to household furnishing i.e. curtains, cushion cover, table cloth etc. For those who wishes to visit their site, may click here "Fabindia website". Most importantly, think of me when you shop there as I will be drooling wherever I was to shop there too again and again. It may sound similar to my craze over "Jim Thompson Silk House" whatnot?

Entrance into magnificent Jeroo Building, occupied by fabindia

Fabindia or known as Fabindia Overseas Pvt. Ltd. is and Indian chain store retailing garments, furnishings, fabrics and ethnic products handmade by craftspeople across rural India. It was established in 1960 by John Bissel, an American working for the Ford Foundation, New Delhi. Fabindia started out exporting home furnishings before open up a domestic retail in 1976, its first store in Greater Kailash, New Delhi. Today, it has over 170 stores across India and abroad managed by his son, William Bassel. 

Home furnishing floor

I was not the only 1 who fallen deeply in love with fabindia. The man in black fabindia shirt was infected by me after I bought him too many shirts and kurtas from the shop. 

It was dark when we stepped out from fabindia. You guys must be wondering what I was doing smiling in the picture! 

None others than admiring a beautiful night view of David Sassoon Library house just across the road.

Venetian Gothic style David Sasson library at night - simply beautiful!

Before we went back to the hotel, we went nearer the Jehangir Art Gallery, which about to close in few minutes. My last photo before we rested for the night.

On the way to send my family off to the airport the following day, we made a last pit stop at Haji Ali Dargah nearby Bandra Worli Sea Link, where I stopped in August 2011. As the weather was not at all upsetting, I managed to snap a beautiful moment of my beloved hubby with the dargah view set as background.

Awesome view

Hope I had shared some enlightenment from my visits to Mumbai and thank you for visiting my page.

My thanks, peace, compassion and love to all. 

Mumbai - December 2011, Part 1

Tour date: 24th December 2011

That day, the weather was crystal clear all the way from my guest house in Daund Taluka until we safely reached in Mumbai City. Hubby, Naim and Nasrul were taking a Malaysian Airline flight after a month vacation with me in India. Ajit, my office colleague and fellow Malaysian had allowed me to take his driver, who is familiar with Mumbai city. We were more relaxed along the journey knowing that we shall not get lost like our bad experience before and able to enjoy the beautiful buildings snapped and shared in this entry while searching for a hotel.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) seated at the junction of Dadabhai Naoroji Roadand Mahapalika Road

Mumbai is formerly known as Bombay, a capital city of Maharashtra Indian State located on the south western coast of India. It lies at the mouth of the Ulhas River in the coastal region the Konkan. It sits on Salsette Island, partially shared with the Thane district (also belonging to Maharasthra State). Mumbai is bounded by the Arabian Sea to the west and many parts of the city lie just above sea level. The city of Mumbai is govern by the Municipal Corporation of Bombay @ BMC and it's building is seen in the above photo. The Gothic design building was completed and occupied in 1899.

Mumbai Police Headquartes in a heritage Gothic style building

I have a great admiration of all the heritage buildings in Mumbai. The architecture of Mumbai blends Gothic, Victorian, Art Deco, Indo-Saracenic and contemporary architectural styles. Many buildings, strcutures and historical monuments remain from the colonial era. Mumbai, after Miami, has the second largest number of Art Deco buildings in the world. Mumbai is built on what was once an archipelago of 7 islands; Bombay, Parel, Mazagaon, Mahim, Colaba and Old Women's Island. In the 3rd century BCE, the islands formed part of the Maurya Empire, during its expansion in the south, ruled by the Budhist emperor, Ashoka of Magadha.

The Taj Mahal Palace hotel - view 1

After numerous changes of kingdom in 2nd BCE through 9th century CE, the Delhi Sultanate annexed the islands in 1347-48 and controlled till 1407. During the time, the islands were administered by the Muslim Governors of Gujarat, appointed by Delhi Sultanate. It is during this time that the prominent mosque is being built, including Haji Ali Dargah in Worli (photo shared in previous entry). The Mughal Empire, founded in 1526 was the dominant power in the Indian subcontinent during the mid 16th century, hence the Gujarat Sultanate (taken over Mumbai from Delhi Sultanate) was obliged to sign the Treaty of Bassein with the Portuguese Empire on 23 December 1534. The Portuguese were actively involved in the foundation and growth of their Roman Catholic religious orders in Bombay.

The Taj Mahal Palace hotel - view 3

On 11 May 1661, the marriage treaty of Charles of England and Catherine of Braganza, daughter of King King John IV of Portugal, placed the island in possession of the British Empire as part of the dowry. The 7 islands were in turn leased to the British East India Company in 1668 for a sum of 10 pound per annum by the Royal Charter. Thereafter, the population quickly rose from 10,000 in 1661 to 60,000 in 1675. Bombay was blooming by 18th century as the city status where it stood today. 

The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel & Resort, Mumbai

The Taj Mahal Hotel (3 pictured above) is a 5 star hotel commissioned in Indo-Saracenic style by Tata and firts opened its doors to guests on 16th December 1903. It is widely believed that the business tycoon, Mr Jamsedji Tata decided to built the Taj hotel after he was refused entry to 1 of the city's grand hotels of the time as it was restricted to the white people only. But some says that the Taj was built at the urging received from editor of the Times of India, who felt a hotel worthy of Bombay was needed. 

From the same road where the Taj Mahal Palace hotel is seated, the monument built by the British Raj, Getaway of India is visibly stand proud and tall. It is located on the waterfront in the Apollo Bunder area overlooking the Arabian Sea. The structure is a basalt arch, 26m high. It lies at the end of of Chhatrapati Shivaji Marg (Marg mean street) at the water's edge in Mumbai Harbour. It was a crude jetty used by the fishing community which was later renovated and used as a landing place for British governors and other prominent people. The Getaway has also been referred to as the Taj Mahal of Mumbai, and is the city's top tourist attraction.

After the junction of the Getaway of India, we found a suitable hotel for our need. What we chose was a 3 star hotels which give us a comfy family suite room. We had a quick rest in the room before heading out by foot to the nearby attraction, most important a meal.

The view from our hotel, a grandeur building in another Gothic architecture. We took a right turn and found a very cosy restaurant offering a Muslim food. We were surprised to find quite a number of decent Muslim restaurant in Mumbai. 

We had a beef biryani, fried rice, chapati with prawn curry which had an excellent taste. I forgotten the name of the restaurant but rest assured that all of us really really enjoy what was ordered and served.

We saw the boy selling pan just outside the restaurant. There are rows of shops where a small time stall operator operates their business just outside the shop lot. You may shop at the stalls as the prices differ from inside the shop. We found many branded outlets within the same area.

After meal and some shopping, we walked further to explore further Mumbai heritage building in the same vicinity. At the same time, we were looking for my favourite boutique in India, the "Fabindia".

To be continued as it is about time for me to break for fasting. Do visit my page. Thanks to those who had done so.

Mumbai - August 2011

Date: 15th August 2011

Bandra-Worli Sea Link built by Hindustan Construction Company, opened to public in June 2009

The first time I set my foot in Mumbai was when I scheduled to take an international flight from Mumbai, i.e. nearest airport to take me home to Kuala Lumpur for eid. I was in Pune at that time as told in my previous entry, "Maharashtra State - Daund Taluka". It was my first trip back to spent eid with my family on 15th August 2011 after almost a month fasting for the first time in India. Mr Warren, our Project Director was very kind in allowing me to leave early from the office that day and even suggested that I did some sightseeing in Mumbai city before taking the night flight. 

Rainy day along Mumnbai-Pune expressway in August month

Malaysian staff does not normally take a flight from Pune to Mumbai as the check-in, boarding time including waiting time is equal to the time travel by road from Pune to Mumbai using Mumbai-Pune Expressway. We booked ahead a taxi from Pune city where the office driver will dropped us at the meeting point. I was not lucky that day as the taxi driver from Pune is not familiar with Mumbai road and it's places of attraction. In addition, it was raining through 4 hours we were on the road till we reached Mumbai city.

Reaching toll gate of Bandra-Worli sea link bridge, also known as Rajiv Gandhi Sea LInk

Entering the Mumbai city while passing the slum-dog areas, I noticed how dirty the Mumbai city a home to about 20.5 million peoples though most glamours and famous film star, business tycoon etc had their home here. Beggars are numerous. I concluded that I don't like Mumbai though Mumbai is the wealthiest city in India, been ranked 6th among top 10 global cities on billionaire count ahead of Shanghai, Paris and Los Angeles.

The stay cable bridge connecting western suburbs to Nariman point in Mumbai business district

Mumbai is also the commercial and entertainment capital of India, generating 5% of India GDP from industrial output and maritime trade. The city houses important financial institution such as Reserve Bank of India and Bombay Stock Exchange beside a preferred place for the corporate headquarters for India business corporations as well as other multinational company established themselves in Mumbai. The city also houses Hindia (Bollywood) and Marathi film and television industry. Due to that, it attracts migrants from all over India becoming a melting pot of many communities and cultures. I discovered that only on my second trip to Mumbai receiving my family in year end of 2011.

Haji Ali dargah seats very near to Bandra-Worli Sea Link which we finally found after misleading search

The Taxi was stopped by Mumbai police as accordance to the city law, only Mumbai taxis can bring tourist in Mumbai. Lucky that the driver can communicate well with the police with no language barriers as all people in Maharashtra state speaks the same language, "Marathi". Shortly after that, I instructed the taxi driver to sent me to the airport as we were driving without direction as he failed to take me to the most famous monument, Getaway of India. My head was spinning fast seeing how he struggled to find the Getaway of India and/or the Taj hotel. The only thing that I discovered that day was plentiful shopping mall, which we made a quick stopped for me to shop sarees and blouses for Haniza, my sister-in-law.   

The Cancer advert withdrawn my attention to TATA, a huge conglomerate tycoon in India

I of the building that attracted my attention, snapped from the car

I encountered quite similar experienced with another taxi driver when I returned in early December the same year to pick-up my family from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. The ongoing Metro Lines construction in major parts of Mumbai city makes the heavily traffic within the city worst still. We were late by half an hour with the same detour. Hence we decided to drove back to Daund rather spending 3 days 2 nights in Mumbai as initially planned.  

Sad day to visit Mumbai, Sigh!

Stay tune for more stories of Mumbai in my next entry.

Remarks: Bandra-Worli Sea Link foundation stone was laid in 1999 with Indian rupees 6 billion budget, anticipated to be completed within 5 years. The project was dragged to another 5 years with a revised construction cost of 16.6 billion Indian rupees, which ended contracting parties in a big litigation case. The project was commissioned by Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).   

Pune to Delhi, 16th December 2011

Today 6th April 2013, when I look back I have successfully completed more than 130 entries so far, something that I thought was very difficult to achieve. It is my hope that by June 2013 I will manage to clear all my travelogue entries. For today onwards, I wish to write about my family visit to India during a school vacation in December 2011. At that time, I was attached with the Pune-Solapur Expressway project.

At the Pune Airport to catch a Spice Jet flight to Delhi

Nazhif was having his SPM examination and Syahirah was on her 2nd semester final exam at the time of visit, thus, both couldn't make. Only hubby, Naim and Nasrul came via Air Asia from Kuala Lumpur to Mumbai. I went to Mumbai to fetched them and had to cancel few days vacation in Mumbai as the driver from Pune doesn't really know the Mumbai Road. We had to cancelled the trip and travelled straight to Daund, vide Mumbai-Pune Expressway. It was about 4 hours journey on the road. We made a stop at the rest area where the kids started to enjoy cheese pizza in India. To their surprise, the toilet facilities is quite decent.

Having Marathi's food on 14th December 2011

At the shopping mall on 14th December 2011

Hubby always wishes to travel up to Kashmir (from India side) as Malaysian were told not to go via Pakistan. In fact, my family never travelled to North Pakistan though we were there for 3 years. After much discussion, we finally agreed that we should travel to Delhi-Jaipur-Agra, hence, we need to take domestic flight from Pune to Delhi and get our Delhi friends to arrange a van for the travel on earth ground.

Stop for a view that we wont be able to see in Malaysia, on 16th December 2011

Upon arrival, my Delhi friends convinced hubby to change plan to Himachal Pradesh as playing snow at Kulu and Manali are much better choices than Agra or Jaipur. It was  a perfect decision where the boys, especially still having a bless and bliss feeling for the opportunity. We travelled altogether about 1,310km up and down.

Lunch with our Delhi friend on 20th December 2011

The next entries will be our travel as far as to Manali during a cold December winter.

Thank you for visiting!

A bug and a mug

Daund, 2011

One early morning, I found this bug on my mug in the kitchen sink.

I quickly took out my camera and take a shot of both of them, the bug and the mug. The print on the mug said "All men are the same darling... they just have different name". It was my coffee mug that I carry wherever I went in India.

The bug look scarred enough to come out. So, I took him outside.

It tried very hard to get out.

It cannot jump, thus it crawled further.

I took more shots of him as he was looking fairer under a bright sunlight, still so scared to crawl down.

Finally, I lifted and kept him safe under the bushes. And a mug is now becoming Deepika's coffe mug.

The end!

Maharashra State, Daund Taluka

Pune-Solapur 4-laning Expressway

From: August 2011 - December 2011

My new assignment took me to Daund on 5th August 2011. My boss accompanied me from Delhi Airport to Pune Airport for a proper introduction with the project team. It was on the 4th day of the fasting month. From Pune Airport, we had to drive almost 2 hours to reach our site office in Kurkumbh. It was another 15 - 20 minutes more to reach Daund, where most of our staff stays.

Daund is a small city and a municipal council in Pune district in the state of Maharashtra. It has a population of 41,907 and 13% of them is under 6yrs old (facts from wikipedia). It is a very important Railway Junction where train traffic from Mumbai going southwards to Banglore, Chennai, Hyderabad pass through Daund. Also trains going North wards to Delhi, Jammu from Pune and Goa have to pass through Daund. The town is about 9 km from the junction to National Highway. We are constructing 53km of NH9, as Section 1 Main Contractor to TATA & Atalia JV Concessionaire.

The place has a total land area of 1290 sqkm. It comprises of 65 villages with three rivers, Mula, Mutha and Bhima. Lakes like Warvad, Kasundi and Matuba falls under Daund Taluka. Wheat and sugarcane are grown here along with sweet lime and oranges. Farming is the main occupation of the people in this area. A sugarcane factory is also situated in this reign. Most of the chemical factories in Maharashtra have been shifted to some ares in this reign and are called Chemical Zone of Maharshtra. Daund also holds 2 major Police reserve groups SRPF. The city is located between river Bhima, a tributary of the Krishna river and 3 mountains on its other side.

On the second week, I decided to go to Pune town for some banking works. The office driver informed that he needed to fill the petrol at our Plant where we saw the horses in the above 3 photos were. It was very lucky that I brought along my camera and second luckier as the photos were save in my FB notes. Else, I wouldn't have them to share in my blog as they have the same fate with others loss nonrecoverable photos in the damage hard disk.

What I always admired when travelling daily to office is the views of the rich Maharashtra agricultural land. The horses in the above 3 photos were enjoying the green grass in the month of August 2011. But those grasses turn yellowish and dried due to winter in December 2011. Please see the difference in the above photo, also taken in Daund.

That was our plant behind the group of walking ladies in their colorful Saree, a common view in the village. The photo is a courtesy from our PD, Mr Warren. Mr Warren and I shared similar passion in photography but he is much more learned than me.

The above photo and all below photos was also taken by Mr Warren. I was with Gary's beautiful wife during a gathering at Ajit's house in October month. 

For those who may not know or never seen before (like me), it is an Onion flower in the above photo which is a common view along the project highway.

Another great work by Mr Warren. A night view of Kurkumbh.

Last, but I hope not least is a photo evidencing the project successful in launching the ROB (Rail Over Bridge) in the 3rd quarter. Mr Warren sent the above photo when I was in Vijayawada. Sharing is caring. I wish to dedicate this entry to our team in Kurkumbh, especially to Mr Warren, Gary Ong, Ajit and others Malaysian who will finish the project by 1st quarter of 2013.