An out-of-towner pal wants to see Mumbai. But you are on a tight budget. Aviva dharmaraj tells you how to give your buddy a whirlwind tour, in just Rs 1,000
An out-of-towner pal wants to see Mumbai. But you are on a tight budget. Aviva dharmaraj tells you how to give your buddy a whirlwind tour, in just Rs 1,000
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Test drive
It's the end of the week, and you have a big, fat, juicy weekend to look forward to spending with an out-of-towner friend. Only problem: you are not quite sure what to do with it, and the budget is tight. Lugging him to the neighbourhood multiplex just doesn't seem worth the trudge-effort, you've memorised all the takeaway menus, and you refuse to slide through another weekend holed up in your bedroom watching world cinema. Think like a tourist. Here's how to eat, shop and sightsee in amchi Mumbai, without spendingu00a0 a bomb.
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Activity: Explore
At: Nehru Centre, Dr Annie Besant Road, Worli. Call: 24920510 / 24964676
Current show: Hide 'n' Seek in the Sky (in English).
Time: 3 pm u2013 4 pm
You spend: Rs 50 for adults, Rs 25 (4 to 12 year olds)
Okay, so going to the Planetarium reminds you of school. But they aren't referred to as the good, old days for nothing. As long as you no longer need to squeeze into a starched uniform, it can be fun to escape into an air-conditioned space, goggle-eyed and bushy-tailed. The ongoing show is all about eclipses, so by the time the next one comes around (June 26, 2010), you can point to the evening sky and jab at it randomly, in between rambling about the sun and moon to your less informed friends.u00a0
Activity: Adventure
At: H2O Water Sports Complex, near Mafatlal Clubhouse, Girgaon Chowpatty. Call: 23677584 / 23677546.
Time: 4.30 pm
You Spend: Rs 100 per person for a 12-minute motorboat ride
Remember that boat chase in Quantum of Solace? Well, we can't guarantee James Bond or even Suniel Shetty (he owns the place along with business partner Rajiv Somani) will be around, but we can vouch for the fun factor. Strap on the faded orange lifejacket they pass you, put on your shades, practice your smuggest smile, and get ready for the ride of your life! Well, all right, we might be exaggerating a wee bit. Still, this might be the closest any of us get to star in an action film, so make the most of it.
Activity: Shop
At: Colaba Causeway
Time: Anytime. 5 pm to 9 pm ideal
You spend: Rs 150 for tops, Rs 200 for skirts, Rs 150 u2013 Rs 350 for chappals
Name it, and you'll find a cheaper version here. Shoes, hats, scarves, nightshirts, tube tops, summer dresses (in winter!), jewellery... it's all just a bargain away. Remember that to get a good deal, you need to buy at least two or more pieces from one roadside stall, scrutinise the pieces in the light for tares, ask for the price, name yours, and then be willing to walk away if the shopkeeper seems in no mood to play bargain. Settled for 70% of the original asking price? You got yourself a good deal.
Activity: Eat
At: Bademiya, Tullock Road, Apollo Bunder. Call: 2284 8038.
Time: 8.30 pm onwards
You spend: Rs 90 for Paneer Roll, Rs 80 u2013 Rs 90 for Bhuna Mutton, Rs 12 per Roomali Roti, Rs 15 for cold drinks
You are likely to be famished by now. Ask anyone for directions to Bademiya, or just follow your nose. Located behind Citywalk House in one of the busy lanes of Colaba, Bademiya is a smoky, but convenient roadside option. If you manage to secure a plastic chair and rickety table, try catching the eye of a waiter, place your order, and do what in our opinion should be declared a national past-time: people-watch. Zoom in on a person you find most interesting, and create a back story for them. Who knows, you might just be staring at a potential Shantaram or aspiring Gregory David Roberts or a real-life gangsta!
Activity: Sightsee
At: Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) counter, near Gateway of India, Colaba.
Time: 7 pm to 8 pm
You spend: Rs 120 (upper deck), Rs 50 (lower deck)
There's just one way to see south Mumbai: perched on the upper deck of an open-air bus. Make your way through the thronging crowds, tap on the MTDC counter window, and book yourself a ticket on what they call the Heritage Tour. Make sure to grab yourself a window seat (closer to the front of the bus) if you don't want to miss out on trivia dished out by the guide, which is otherwise difficult to catch above ambient noise.
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