Mumbai, India, previously referred to as Bombay, is the heart of India. This city is simply overwhelming. All the different smells, sights, cultures, religions, people, and food that meet at this point makes Mumbai a living, breathing city. There is no right way to experience what Mumbai has to offer. It really comes down to seeking out the things you’d like to experience most. For example, if you are a lover of food, seek out different Indian restaurants to try, or if you’re looking for a spiritual experience, look for the many shrines and temples of Mumbai. Just remember that in order to travel outside the United States, you will need a passport, and renewing pass ports online is easy.
Online passport services are a great thing because you no longer need to wait in line. The fact that waiting in lines is eliminated by using online passport services means that now you can literally save yourself months of waiting by using expedited U S passports.
Food is a large part of Indian culture, and there’s no way you’d want to miss out on authentic Indian food. Restaurants are plentiful, as are street-side vendors. Head to the Chor Bazaar Thieves Market to find homemade souvenirs, clothes, and delicious, freshly-made food to enjoy. Crawford Market and Linking Road are some other popular places to shop and sample Indian cuisine.
When searching for a place to begin your exploration, The Gateway to India is a great place to start. This is a giant standing reminder of the English-occupation of India. Another fun thing is to check out the Haji Ali. This is a mosque and tomb that is actually only reachable at low-tide because it is in the ocean. In order to visit it, as the water slowly recedes, a 500 yard long walkway is revealed that allows you to travel to see the body of Saint Haji.
Bollywood is another huge part of Indian culture. Be sure to visit a theater and see some films for yourself. Or, if you prefer to see one in the making or possibly be in one, head to Film City and keep an eye out for movie cameras! On another cultural note, Kala Ghoda Art District is home to some of Mumbai’s best museums and galleries. Just walking around feels like walking through a living museum.
Mumbai also has a beautiful natural scene as well, and the beaches, called chowpaties in Indian, are some of the most relaxing places in this busy city. Don’t miss the sunset from Juhu Beach or Marine Drive. The city parks are renowned for their care-taking, meaning they are always beautiful. Also be sure to visit the zoo and the Five Gardens. Borivili National Park is great if you are looking to experience animals in the wild.
All in all, Mumbai is a bustling city of life. Between the cuisine, shopping, and many different locations to visit, there is so much to keep a traveler occupied that it is almost overwhelming. It is advisable that anyone traveling to this area do a bit of research on some of the local customs so that you do not misinterpret someone’s actions or do something that may accidentally be rude or offensive. There are many aspects of India’s culture for you to enjoy, so make sure to soak up as much of it as you can! Just make sure that when you are preparing to travel, you secure your passport documents. Whether this means renewing USA Passports online or purchasing a new one, this document is essential. If you happen to need it rushed then don’t forget that you can get your expedited pasport to you in as little as 24 hours if necessary.
- Ben Pate