The Trip scouted around to pick five spots that will make you relish the rains, as you bite into bhutta and savour your chai
The Trip scouted around to pick five spots that will make you relish the rains, as you bite into bhutta and savour your chai
Where: Marine drive
For: Bollywood style romance
Why: The three-kilometre stretch from Nariman Point to Chowpatty Beach is to Mumbai what the Champs- lys ufffdes is to Paris. If you want to ditch the local's blas ufffd disinterest and play tourist, you can do no better than Marine Drive. Drop into the many five-star hotels dotting the promenade or dig into some chatpatta bhel at Chowpatty or Chana Bhatura at Cream Centre. If you want to play tourist, the options are limitless. Our favourite touristy game? Sit on the concrete parapet and name as many Bollywood movies with a visual of Marine Drive as you can think off! The one with the most amount of films wins!
Getting there: Walk it up or hail a cab from Marine Lines or Churchgate Railway Station, from its western exit.
Where: Sanjay Gandhi National Park
For: A green-tinged adventure
Why: The only national park in Asia that falls within the city limits is a must visit during the rains. Spanning an area of 104 sq km, it affords an expanse of lush greenery that city dwellers are not used to. If you're feeling adventurous, take the View Point Trail to the highest point in Mumbai, for a panoramic view of the city and a view of the Tulsi, Vihar and Powai lakes. What better approach than this, to be one with nature?
Getting There: It's less than a kilometre from Borivali (E) Railway Station. An autorickshaw ride will reach you to the main gate of the National Park.
Where: Mount Mary Steps, Bandra
For: An uplifting experience
Why: Built around the 1640s, the chapel of Mount Mary was rumoured to have been destroyed somewhere in the mid 18th century and restored twenty years later, in 1761. If you're in a contemplative mood, drop by the chapel on a rainy afternoon. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount stands about 80 metres above sea level and overlooks the Arabian Sea to its western side. If you're visiting on a Monday afternoon, stick around till the evening to watch or participate in the poetry slam at Caf ufffd Goa Bistro and Grill, nearby.u00a0
Getting there: Get off at Bandra (W) Railway Station, board an autorickshaw to reach you to the church steps
Where: Parsik Hills, outskirts of Belapur, NAVI MUMBAI
For: A pretty picnic
Why: If you're in a mood for a longish drive and don't mind leaving the city, head to Parsik Hills in CBD Belapur. It offers a small hiking trail that gives you a great view of the sunrise and sunset. There is a vegetable juice vendor nearby, if you need a healthy energiser. The hilly terrain overlooks parts of the city and a rain-swept 360 degree view of Navi Mumbai, a must-see. If hunger pangs attack, there are plenty of restaurants, including a Mahesh Lunch Home outlet and other binging options, barely five minutes away.
Getting there: Located in the outskirts of Belapur, it's en route to Nerul
Where: Mahalaxmi Race Course
For: Hot fondue and a lung opener
Why: The racing season might be from November to April but come monsoons, and it's a lovely place to walk or jog around the specially made track. The stretch makes for a refreshing escape, aided by a light breeze from the Worli Sea Face. If you want to catch a quick bite then drop into Gallops, a restaurant in the racecourse. Reminiscent of its colonial past, with curtained carriages and old school light fixtures, the restaurant is known for its Punjabi cuisine and Continental delights like fondue. Indulge on piping Hot Fondue or linger over their Apple Cobbler to perfectly complement the monsoon vibe.
Getting there: It's a five-minute walk from Mahalaxmi Railway Station
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