Today, we’re gonna be traveling across the world to Mumbai, India. Both of my parents are from Mumbai, and as a result, we visit almost every other year.

For those who have never been, Mumbai is India’s New York City. Just like NYC, driving can be a real hassle in Mumbai. Nobody follows the lanes that are painted on the roads. Instead, they just scatter wherever they please. However, driving in India does scare me more than NYC. Aside from being oblivious to the clear lanes that should exist, nobody really cares to stop at a red light either. Most people will run a red light likes it’s second nature.
Obviously, those who grew up driving there are perfectly comfortable and know how to maneuver their car.
I, for one, will never drive there.


My absolute favorite place to visit when in Mumbai, is Marine Drive. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a long road along the coast, where you can drive. Watching the sun go down along the horizon here is amazing, but when the lights come on and you can see the skyline, the view is breathtakinggg!!!
It’s about a 40 minute drive from where my family lives, but even the drive is enjoyable. We usually take the Bandra-Worli Sea Link — a relatively new bridge that connects Bandra (Suburbs of Mumbai) and Worli (South Mumbai).

Maybe it’s just me, but I’m a sucker for oceanic views. A couple years ago, I was in Mumbai during the monsoon season. I decided I wanted to experience “Mumbai’s rain” the old-fashioned way — the way locals do it.

My sister and I figured out that high-tide would be around midnight, and naturally, we were ready for an adventure. We got to Marine Drive, only to
witness the waves crashing over the wall… they were more than 6 meters tall.
We spent the next 2 hours running under the crashing waves, getting drenched in the middle of the night. Those are the kind of nights I live for.
Aside from going to Marine Drive every-other-night, I love shopping in Lokhandwala Market (Low-khund-vul-a Market), getting coconut water from street vendors, and stopping for some pani-puri.

Lokhandwala Market is a shopping area that is almost always crowded. Here, you will mostly find street vendors, small boutiques for ethnic clothing, and a very lively ambiance.

On a hot, humid day, coconut water and some pani-puri is my go to. The coconut is cut so that you can drink right out of it and toss it when you’re done. Pani-puri is an Indian snack, both spicy and tangy. It’s another street snack that is essential when visiting.
I hope my adventures inspire you to go out and explore new cultures! You’ve now spent ~a day in the life~ with me in Mumbai, India!
First of all, these pictures are AMAZING!! I love Indian culture, so I felt like I was there! The sunset looks just gorgeous. Maybe, I’ll add seeing this in Mumbai to my bucket list. As someone who goes to NYC a lot, the driving stuff is too relatable. I still hate being even in the passenger’s seat, so I can’t imagine driving in Mumbai. Moreover, the Lokhandwala Market sounds so fun. Pani-puri is so good, so it seems great to get some there with coconut. I’ll have my passport ready for your next adventure!
You’re making me really miss the travel days of pre-Rona. I’ve never been to Mumbai, or India at all for that matter, before, but I did spend part of my summer before senior year in Nepal. You’re completely right about driving in Asia. I thought China was bad, but Nepal made me want to close my eyes and pretend it wasn’t happening. There weren’t lanes, traffic lights, or speed limit signs. When traffic was heaviest, some poor police officer would direct traffic with just a whistle. I still don’t know how he did it. The scariest was when we made the six hour drive through the mountains from Kathmandu to Bharatpur. No guard rail. No speed limit. Just a narrow road and sheer drop of hundreds of feet. What I wouldn’t give to go back.
I love the style! Reading it kinda feels like you are a tour guide leading your readers though these new places. Also, your inclusion of personal experiences into it makes it feel much more genuine and less like reading a travel info pamphlet. Mumbai sounds like a really cool travel destination. Its obviously different from the western cities that most of us experience much more frequently, but the commonalities that you drew between them like street food makes it more relatable. Nice writing!
I have always wanted to travel the world so it is really interesting whether I hear about other places. Mumbai sounds fun and fascinating, and I might just have to add it to places I plan to go to someday. You described Mumbai so beautifully and I liked how you talked about the red lights, it amused me.