Smelly mumbai

After 8 hours flying we were looking forward to that waft of warm air synomous with arriving in a hot country. We got the hot air alright, but more prevelant was the distinct waft of sewerage. Hardly suprising really considering the airport is right next the slums. Infact wherever you go in Mumbai you are never realy able to escape from the fact that more than 60% of the city's poulation live in poverty. And whilst you're not as nagged by beggars as some guide books might suggest, you can never really escape the dualism of wealth in Mumbai.

The trip from the airport to Colaba can take up to two hours (we managed 90 mins). The roads are literally packed with  1950 style ambassador taxis, motorised rickshaws and smattering of more western cars, and you soon get used to the cacophony of horns and shouts of frustrated drivers. It's a great way to get your first sight of the streets of Mumbai though, even if a little hot and cramped (hang on to your water from the plane!)

We stayed in the Regent Hotel. I'd tried to book the Ascot, and this is the sister hotel. It's fairly clean and comforable and the rooms are big (with a bit of an obsession with marble and mirrors).  Location wise it's great, literally a few minutes walk from the Gateway to India and the Colaba street markets.

We got a taxi to Gaylords (mainly cus the name amused us and it's in LP). The food was really good, and not bad value either. Worth a visit.