MUMBAI
Mumbai, which the locals stubbornly continue to call Bombay, is “Indian Manhattan”, firmly merged with Indian Hollywood (Bollywood), where more films are produced annually than in any other city in the world. Initially, Mumbai was a conglomeration of 7 islands, which eventually united and turned into the largest city in India. Hindi is spoken in the city, but the official language is Marathi. English is also popular.
Mumbai has a sub-equatorial climate, which implies a clear division into two seasons: dry and wet. It rains here from June to November, at which time the air warms up to +30 ° C and above. The dry season runs from December to May, with the coldest months in Mumbai being January and February.
The city of Mumbai is located in the west of India along the coast of the Arabian Sea, at the mouth of the Ulhas River. It includes the islands of Bombay and Solsett, which rise 10-15 meters above sea level. The northern part of Mumbai is hilly, the highest point is 450 meters above sea level.
Entertainment, excursions and sights of Mumbai.
In Mumbai, it is worth visiting Elephanta Island (Elephant Island), famous for its caves with images of Shiva and looking into the Kala Goda area, where most of the city’s galleries and museums are collected. Nearby is the Prince of Wales Museum with a very interesting collection of Gandhara art, Mughal miniatures, porcelain and weapons. Part of the mandatory program is the local fort with three of its famous buildings: the Supreme Court, the University and the grandiose Victoria Station, much more like a palace than a station. On the Malabar Hill are the picturesque Hanging Gardens, the Temple of the God of Sand Valkeshwara, the Zoroastrian “Towers of Silence”, the cult springs of Banganga Tank and the caves of Jogeshwari.
Mumbai also has enough entertainment for the originals: you can rummage through the deposits of seductive trash for half a day at the Chor Bazaar flea market or go for shocking photo frames in Dhobi Ghat. This is a quarter entirely consisting of small concrete baths, in which thousands of washerwomen wash their clothes at the same time. It must be said that they wash in an unusual way for a European: they lather and beat for hours on the sharp edge of a special stone, so that the clothes are washed to incredible cleanliness, but an ordinary shirt can withstand only a few such “washes”. Washerwomen leave a strong impression, but it is best to photograph them from the railway bridge: tourists are not favored here.
Another interesting place is the largest market in the city, Crawford. In addition to its exceptionally wide assortment, it is also notable for the fact that at one time little Rudyard Kipling liked to walk within its walls, accompanied by a nanny.
Mumbai is the center of the entertainment industry in India. The famous Bollywood film studio is located here.
Mumbai is also famous for its nightlife. The most popular clubs in the city are FireandIce and Not Just Jazzby The Bay. From Wednesday to Saturday, Indian musicians perform here. Almost all luxury hotels have their own nightclubs and bars. The most famous are Insomnia in Taj and Opium Den in Oberoi. For young people and tourists, Athena is best suited.
KOVALAM
Kovalam is a pretty resort on the coast of the Arabian Sea, located 15 km from the capital of Kerala – the city of Trivandrum. Kovalam used to be a small fishing village, today it is one of the most popular beach and Ayurvedic resorts in the state. The coast of Kovalam is built up with numerous hotels, restaurants, Ayurvedic clinics and shops. Large hotel complexes offer not only a level of service close to European, but also an excellent beach, Ayurvedic food prescribed by a doctor, as well as traditional Ayurvedic massage.
There are many spa salons in Kovalam where you can try almost all types of massage: oil (from 400 INR per hour), sandalwood paste (from 700 INR), shirodhara (from 800 INR) and others.
Kovalam Beaches
The southernmost and most popular Lighthouse Beach is home to many hotels, restaurants, lodges and shops. The crescent-shaped northern beach, which goes by various names – the main beach (Main Beach), Leela Beach or Samudra Beach. This beach is very popular with the locals (especially on weekends) and Hawa Beach, which lies in between.
Cuisine and Restaurants
Most of the restaurants are located on Lighthouse Beach, where fresh fish is cooked quite well in the evening. The German Bakery (great views of the beach, delicious snacks and good breakfasts), Suprabatham (one of the best vegetarian restaurants in the resort), Fruit Ladies (fruit salad to take away ~1 USD) and Light House Beach Kovalam (a good fusion restaurant “).
Entertainment, excursions and sights of Kovalam
Here you can go surfing – the height of the waves sometimes reaches up to 2 meters. You can rent a board and equipment on the beach for 6 USD per day. Another option to have fun is to sail on a traditional wooden boat (catamaran) from the main beach of Kovalam. The trip can last from 15 minutes to 2 hours, cost ~300-600 per person. From the boats, you can not only snorkel (the best time is early in the morning), but also go on a romantic cruise (at sunset).