Day 52 - Mumbai: A Mile in Their Shoes & An Unforgettable Day



Today began with an early arrival into Mumbai, so instead of the gym I opted for a quick walk and stretch, followed by a shower and breakfast before disembarking for my tour.

Joe and I had decided to do different things today. Joe wanted a slower start and planned a nostalgic visit to the Taj Mahal Hotel, where he’d stayed on a previous visit to Mumbai for the cricket. He did, however, still have to get up and pass through immigration before 10am, so there was no full lie-in!

Joe’s day turned into a pamper-and-memory-filled one. The hotel was exactly as he remembered and he enjoyed a lovely lunch there, although he was most put out to discover they wouldn’t let him use the pool unless he booked a room! Undeterred, he headed off to a Thai massage place, where he got wonderfully pampered for a fraction of ship prices. He even managed to find a chemist—though unfortunately not what he was looking for.

My Tour – The Highlight of the Trip So Far

I can honestly say that today’s tour has been my favourite of the entire trip so far.

There were just seven of us, which made it wonderfully intimate. Our guide, Sanchia, was absolutely brilliant—knowledgeable, funny, deeply proud of her city, and a joy to spend the day with. The tour was aptly named “A Mile in Their Shoes.”

We began with a general tour around Mumbai before heading into Bandra, Sanchia’s home district. She showed us the main sites and then took us into a local market, where we walked among stalls bursting with colour, noise, and life. Everyone we encountered was kind, welcoming, and open, happily answering our questions.



We saw fruits and vegetables I’d never seen before, endless varieties of fish and meat, and watched the daily choreography of cars, bikes, tuk-tuks, and pedestrians all sharing the same space—utterly chaotic and yet somehow perfectly functional.

From there, we continued sightseeing before arriving at the apartment block where Sanchia grew up. We were welcomed into a local family’s home, where we were entertained and treated to lunch. Their house was like a mini animal sanctuary—dogs, cats, turtles, rabbits, fish, and birds all living together in harmony.

They offered us snacks and drinks, and for lunch prepared a beautiful spread of curry, chickpeas, rice, and lentils, followed by Kulfi ice cream for dessert. It was warm, generous, and deeply human—the most authentic and moving way to experience a place.

After heartfelt goodbyes, we continued on to a Pali village, where another local guide shared the history of the area, showed us where she grew up and now lives, and then invited us into her home for chai tea. I have to admit, I couldn’t manage the tea—it was far too sweet and milky for me—but everyone else loved it.



A Dramatic Journey Back

On the way back, Sanchia insisted we must see Victoria Train Station, one of the oldest in India and one that handles over three million people every single day. Unfortunately, our driver took a wrong turn, traffic was horrific, and suddenly we were running late.



Phones were ringing, messages flying… and just when we thought things couldn’t get more exciting, the bus broke down.

We all got off, taxis were sought, and then—like a small miracle—a local bus with no passengers stopped and took us straight to the port. At the port, cars were sent to speed us to the entrance. After immigration, we were put in a golf buggy to take us to the ship… which promptly broke down too.

So we walked.

And with just minutes to spare, we finally made it back on board.

Exhausted. Exhilarated. Grateful.

Evening Onboard

When I returned, Joe had already headed off to his quiz, where—once again—his team came second. He then went to the Chanukah service.

We met afterwards and headed to Compass Rose for dinner, sharing stories of our very different but equally memorable days.

An early and quiet night followed, as tomorrow we head to Goa.

Daily Reflection:

Today reminded me that the greatest travel experiences are not about landmarks,
but about people—opening their homes, their stories, and their hearts.

Highlight of the Day:
✨ Being welcomed into local homes in Bandra and Pali Village—true connection, true hospitality, unforgettable.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 7 - Lanzarote: Sunshine, Family, and a Tale of Two Ports

Image
The day began in a haze — quite literally. A thick morning fog had settled over the ocean, and for a while, the ship’s horn sounded regularly as we carefully made our approach toward Arrecife, Lanzarote . The mysterious mist wrapped around us like a soft blanket, but as we neared the island, the clouds lifted , revealing a clear blue sky and glorious sunshine. Disembarkation was a little slow today, as most of the excursions were departing at the same time, but eventually we were off the ship and ready for a wonderful reunion. Cousin Joe had sent us detailed directions and was waiting patiently for us at the port. Or so we thought! As we stepped out, we began walking… and walking… and walking . Poor Joe’s back was not particularly pleased about this unexpected trek, and as we checked in with Cousin Joe, he reassured us he was “just nearby.” What none of us realised was that there are two ports in Lanzarote — we had docked at the old commercial port , while Cousin Joe was waiting ...
Read more

Day 5 - A Day Without Wi-Fi: Casablanca Adventures and Serendipity at Sea

Image
  Another beautiful morning greeted us as we sailed into Casablanca — sunlight glinting off the water as we arrived into the port. There was an immediate sense of arrival in a city filled with colour, culture, and history. But as we soon discovered, Casablanca had a little surprise in store for us. Because it’s a naval port , all Wi-Fi was cut as soon as we docked — and it stayed that way for many hours, long after we had left the harbour. At first, the silence felt strange, a sudden digital stillness in our usually connected world. But as the hours passed, it began to feel… refreshing. A day without Wi-Fi turned out to be a quiet gift — unless, of course, you’re Joe! Joe had to head into town to collect the medicines that were missing from our luggage. Since no taxis are allowed into the port and the shuttle bus had already left, two kind gentlemen kindly offered him a lift into town . It was such a lovely reminder of the goodness of strangers and the small kindnesses that m...
Read more

Day 3 - Our First Day at Sea: Finding Our Rhythm

Image
  There’s something magical about waking to the gentle movement of the ocean. This morning, I slipped out onto the deck just as the sun began to rise — soft hues of pink and gold spilling across the sky. The ship was quiet except for the sound of the waves, and it felt like the perfect setting for a mindful start to the day. I walked the deck, breathing in the salty air and feeling gratitude wash over me with each step. After my morning walk, I found a quiet spot for meditation and my daily EFT tapping session — a grounding way to tune into the energy of the sea and the peace of the moment. Afterwards, I treated myself to a blissful morning in the spa — a pampering start that left me feeling completely relaxed and radiant. Meanwhile, Joe enjoyed a lazy, leisurely morning in our suite catching up on his broken nights sleep. We met later for a lovely lunch in the Compass Rose restaurant, enjoying fresh, beautifully prepared dishes and the gentle hum of conversation around us. J...
Read more