Gateway of India.

I know today it’s officially Mumbai, but many still call it Bombay – a name given by the Portuguese in 1534. I prefer the exotic promise of the name Bombay, so that’s what I’m going with.

In Bombay, I had a bit of a meltdown – came down with a cold (again). So I missed a few planned adventures, but got some much-needed sleep, good meds, and the caring attention of the butler staff at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and am back in action.

Bombay is the financial capital of India and downtown (Colaba) the city felt and looked much like New York. Imposing British Colonial architecture is prominent and I was surprised to learn they have one of the largest collections of Art Deco buildings outside of Miami.

The long Marine Drive is lovely and it’s nice to see the water again. It’s very hot, humid, and tropical, much like Miami.

My friend Sarah soldiered on while I was asleep and spent the evening visiting street food locations and seeing Bombay at dawn visiting fish, vegetable, fruit, and flower markets as well as other very early morning enterprises.

During her street food tour, Sarah got to the beach for some Pav Bhaji, a dish of thick vegetable curry, fried and served with a soft bread roll. Her opinion “not bad.”