Gateway to India

India Day 1 

We do manage some sleep, and roll up for breakfast just before the 10.30 closure. Needless to say, the offerings are rich, varied and delicious, G opting for a Masala Dosa while I just graze. 

Originally we’d intended to do a slum tour - apparently fascinating, focusing on the enterprise of those living there rather than just being exploitative - but really it’s beyond us today. We do manage a walk to the Gateway of India; this monument forms the view from our room, but we want to get closer - as do many others, most of them unsurprisingly Indians. 

We make our way through a throng of colourful stalls selling food and drink and I’m suddenly in love with Indian once more; the journey from the airport had made me doubt this both from the point of view of hassle and the inevitable crumbling semi-squalor we travelled through. But now the vibrancy takes hold, and after a little hesitation, I’m back enjoying photographing and interacting with people. And we also find ourselves the object of photographic fascination as people ask if they can be photographed with us. The fascination of a fair skin is always quite a draw. Added to this, G looks Ike an eccentric English explorer probably adding to the fascination! 

It’s hot and humid despite it being very hazy, and it’s not long before we return to the hotel to enjoy a beer or two by the pool. 

A planned siesta is more G’s style than mine, but in any case before long there is a thunderous sound outside. There are Indian Navy celebrations  taking place at The Gateway to India, and as part of this, two helicopters are manoeuvring low over the sea - just outside our hotel room it seems. SAS-like abseiling takes place into boats fighting to hold their place in the down draft, while others are hauled up into the helicopters. It’s all quite entertaining - though G somehow manages to sleep through it! 

Then there are the marching bands - by now illuminated by the lighting rigs - the music amplified over the whole area. This continues until eventually there is the Indian National Anthem and the event draws to a close. 

All that’s left is for us to find a restaurant for an evening meal, ending up in the international coffee shop of the Taj Towers as our chosen restaurant is fully booked and we didn’t get round to making a reservation! Still, using advance planning for a change, we book for tomorrow evening! It’s been a good first day! 

Thank you for all your stars and comments - much appreciated. I’ve removed most extras from recent blips to make room for the many likely Indian ones over the next week!  Today’s main and the first five extras show sellers and people around the Gateway to India, followed by the monument pit up in the colours of the Indian flag and finally some fluttering pigeons wit( the Gateway in the background.