Picto Diary - 25 April 2017 - Mumbai (Day 1)

Above: Indira Docks. Mumbai, India. 25 April 2017.

Image from 11th deck observation lounge just after docking. Seven Seas Voyager.

We've been to this sprawling, chaotic, exciting, historic city several times. Today's visit is our second visit to Mumbai this year. We were here in January 2017. Ship's bus tours posed no interest to us, so with the assistance of TravelScope India, we hired a car and driver for the day. We would check out some sights not seen before, do some shopping, and have lunch. We would return to the ship for a rest and a shower, and then join Mumbai friends for dinner at the Willingdon Club.

Above: St. Thomas Cathedral. Fort, Mumbai. 25 April 2017.

Built in 1718, the Anglican cathedral is a standing example of the early British settlement. The church is named after St. Thomas, one of Christ's Twelve Disciples. Christian tradition in India maintains that St. Thomas visited India after Christ's crucifixion, to spread the gospel. The church is operational. Holy Communion is held every Sunday at 8:40 AM.

The cathedral was built to neo classical and neo-gothic styles with a white façade. The interiors of the cathedral mirror the interiors of the St. Thomas Cathedral in Ireland, and look much the same today as they did when it was first built in the 18th century.

My reaction was the same as when I witnessed the great cathedrals (Se and Bom Jesus) in Goa yesterday. How incongruous it seemed to see these great, historic Christian churches, common in Europe, here in India. Its just one more example of India's unique, incredible diversity, vibrancy and contrast. The cathedral also signals the penetrating influence the Raj had on India.

Above: Margaret at Phillips Antiques. Fort, Mumbai, India. 25 April 2017.

We went to Phillips Antiques on the recommendation of Mumbai friend Saker.

I purchased an 1826 dated French map which circumscribed exactly the geography of our voyage... from Indochina to the Persian Gulf.

We purchased a brass Nandi and a brass palanquin end ornament as lasting (we hope) souvenirs of our visit.

Above: TIMDT at Mumbai Museum of Modern Art. Fort, Mumbai, India. 25 April 2017.

There is a modern art scene in India... to add to everything else.

The most fascinating thing about this visit was the modern, domed architecture of the museum itself.

When we were in Mumbai in January of this year, we visited Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum. Tomorrow it is our plan to visit Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalava (formerly the Prince of Wales Museum).

Above: TIMDT shops Christina. Oberoi Mall. Nariman Point. Mumbai, India. 25 April 2017.

We made a trip to Christina in Delhi in January. Then, Margaret bought tops for friends, but, not for herself.

Before arriving in Mumbai, TIMDT wore one of her Christina tops to dinner on the ship one evening. After dinner, walking out of the Compass Rose restaurant, a woman came up to complement her blue top, worn with black pants. Margaret said, "If you want a Cristina top, go to their store in the Oberoi Mall when you get to Mumbai."

Feeling good about the woman's complement, TIMDT followed her own advice and went to Mumbai Christina's to look for more tops for herself. I agree, by the way. TIMDT looks great in Christina tops... and, they are not expensive.

Christina tops. One of TIMDT's great shopping finds in India.

Above: Paneer. Fenix Restaurant. Oberoi Hotel. Nariman Point. Mumbai, India. 25 April 2017.

I hadn't seen the Nariman Point Oberoi and, after shopping at Christina's, it was time for lunch.

I'm a sucker for paneer... and this rendition was fantastic.

Above: Steven, Chita, and Mehli. Willingdon Club. Mumbai, India. 25 April 2017.

Reunion of good friends from Citibank days.

Dinner hosted by Chita.

TIMDT and Mwah (sic) much appreciated being invited to this pukkah place.

Above: Steven, TIMDT, Aisha, Saker, Mehli, Bishop. Willingdon Club. Mumbai, India. 25 April 2017.

Pork with couscous. Delicious.

Good reunion.

Addendum:

GOA is one of my favorite places, Steve...remember it well. In the 90's while with AIG I was still able to speak Portuguese with most business folks there...

Also, as you remember, it was featured in one of the Jason Bourne films...

Montevideo, Burlington, VT