Slumming it on the Tour de Mumbai

It is with great trepidation we set off for a bicycle tour of Mumbai at 6 am(in the morning!)
The last person to take a bike tour in Mumbai
We pick up our sleek machines and we head off into the malestrom of traffic-one of the rules here is if in doubt: honk your horn, if there is no doubt: honk your horn anyway.
First stop is the iconic Chattarapati Shivaji Railway station(first railway station in Asia)

and then the food market.



Starting to work out the popularity of vetarianism









We stop off at a Hindu temple where photography is strictly verboten( a recurring theme of today),


Obligatory masala chai stop


then it is off to the lost cows home,
waterfront views and the olfactorily challenging fish dock and market.



We then settle in for a hearty breakfast.
Memsaab with mysore masala dosa
Moving right along it is off for a tour of the Dharavi slums, to see how 60% of Mumbasians live. It turns out to be an edifying experience(no photography allowed) and the place is a very industious recycling centre and leather producer (only sheep and goat). Sanitation is rudimentary and odorifrous.




Following a siesta we decide to contrast this morning's experiences by taking an iconic high tea at the iconic Taj Hotel.



This is such a romantic experience that me and the Memsaab decide to renew our conjugal vows-the staff are happy to oblige and we call up a few of our newly acquired best friends for the simple ceremony.




After this joyous event we celebrate by having a hairy,


Not too much off the top barber-wallah!
followed by a kebab dinner.

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