Another nightmare getting from the airport. Once the taxi driver said he knew where we were staying, we got in the cab, he drove out of the airport, then asked where we were staying!!! After a couple of wrong turns and the meter continuously going up he stopped to ask another taxi driver where he was going!

We finally arrived at the Red Shield House hostel (Salvation Army). It is right next to the Taj Palace and Tower hotel (THE place to be!). James refused to pay the full price (Rs895) of the taxi as the meter had only said Rs750!! After a brief arguement the taxi driver gave in!! We decided not to have a drink in the Taj Palace after Kevin and Megans experience ( www.blogabond.com/megankevin ) for having 2 drinks for about Rs2700!!

The room is very basic but we do have our own loo and shower. But for Rs600 (7.50 pounds) per night cant really expect much more!!

We had a brief walk round to look at the Gateway to India. It was closed to a concert! But next door was the Mumbai International Boat Show - with a stagering 3 boats on one jetty!!! But still drawing a massive crowd - not quite up to Southamptons standards yet but you gotta start somewhere! There were a couple of mid size bayliners but no 4 million sunseekers!

Swami Vivekananda statue

We had dinner at a chinese and headed back to the hot hostel room!

Feb 24
Had a lie in as both of us didn't get much sleep due to the fact the hostel window was none existent so heard the honking of the cars for most of the night and boiling hot because the fan didn't work properly!
Had a productive morning though by booking up some more of the trip ahead!!

Then took a walk around. Tried to get on a boat trip but then missed the boat! But we found a nice little sports bar to have a bite to eat in and a few drinks instead.
Went to the cinema in Bollywood!! (Sorry Megan not to see another bollywood movie!) But watched Ghost Rider. Had good seats in the gallery that cost a little extra but worth all Rs300 (about 3.50 pounds!)
Back to the sports bar after witha few more drinks to watch Man U vs Fulham!
Played pool for Rs100 per game! (1.20 - well expensive) Trace potted the black ball too early, as usual, but really liked it as the ball came out the end like the white, so didn't completely ruin the game - Hoorah!!

written by  James & Tracey on February 23, 2007 from Mumbai, India
from the travel blog: James & Tracey World Tour
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Great blog guys!!

Glad we could be of assistance with the Taj Palace advice - hehe!

Keep up the stories.

written by  megankevin on February 27, 2007

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