Mumbai

It was time for some city time.  We were onto Mumbai, formerly Bombay.  A coastal city with an immense amount of commerce, which attracts businesses and people from all over the world lending to a diverse cosmopolitan feel, to the tune of almost 22 million inhabitants. 

Gone was the slow pace of staring down a camera lens at wildlife.  In its place, we were whisked to a Bollywood dance class to quite literally move us into step with the pace of the city. 
Juices flowing, we alighted into the city to see its sights by van and upon foot.  Old and new blended together in Mumbai like few other cities.  Turning a corner from the push of progression and we were in the heart of a spice market.  Chiles drying in the sun on the side of the road, sweet and spicy smells lingering in the air, and the gossip of women, waiting for their generations-old family recipes of dry spice mixes to be finished, filling the air—head on a swivel, I endeavored to take it all in. 

Lunch was in a candy shop where I half expected to glimpse an Oompa-Loompa.  The appetizers were sweets before a savory main course, which was followed by, you guessed it, a sweet dessert.  Caffeinated brains and sugary veins propelled us through the rest of our city tour. 

Dinner that night was a 13-course meal in Ekaa, a fine dining experience to be marveled at.  Each course carefully crafted under the leadership of the head chef, who cut her teeth at Noma in Copenhagen.  The cocktails were created with love and care with exacting chemistry.  The wine list was on par with the finest of restaurants. 

Satiated per usual, we were back to the Taj Palace Hotel for a comfortable sleep before out departure the next day.  Our time in Mumbai would be brief but jampacked.  I left feeling that it was a city that warranted more exploration… it’s always good to leave something for another day.