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The police were useless and full of hollow promises. The hotel had no idea what to do when we informed them that police said that they would pay our hotel and when they rang the police station, using the number and name that they had given us, they were told that no one with that name was at the station and that they wouldn't be paying for a tourists' stay. We then - very optimistically - headed to the restaurant, China Gate, which the police had said they had rang ahead and told us that they would let us eat at for free. The establishment was extremely posh and we were genuinely laughed at when we said that the police had said that we could eat there for free. It turns out that the police are just as unreliable and unpredictable as the rest of India's public services; everywhere you turn in India, as a tourist you are very much on your own.
With no money (our travel cards had decided to stop working in the ATMs) we gave a great sigh and decided to relax/hide in our hotel room. Reading and drinking warm water caused the time to pass suspiciously slowly and the day dragged its hooves like a lame donkey.
The following day, our final one in India, we decided that enough was enough and that we would at least attempt to enjoy our last day. We were an hour and a half away from the Gate of India, Mumbai, due to the traffic; with this in mind we decided to brave the train.
This turned out to be incredibly easy and cheap (only 10 rupees)! Previously, our hotel had quoted us a 1000 rupee taxi ride, 100 times more than the train, why they didn't suggest the train I will never know. The train was pleasant enough, with flashing signs telling you which stop was coming up next; this was far better than sleeper trains were you just had to ask around and inevitably just hope that you hopped off at the right place!
Mumbai is by far cleaner than Delhi, with its horrible smog and dirty streets. The walk to the gate was pleasant and we had a nice amble down to the harbour whilst browsing book shops and stalls.
We decided upon a trip to Elephanta Island on one of the numerous ferries that constantly chugged up alongside the harbour wall.
Monotonously, the double decker ferry bumped its way towards the island through the waves. The trip took an absolute age and the seats on the ferry were not coushy.
Stepping from the ferry an hour and a half after departing Mumbai harbour (I was harbouring a dead bum myself) we strode out along the harbour wall towards the green island. Cows littered the small railway that took guests into the island at a minutely quicker pace than a walk - whoever brought the first cow to island was a very committed Hindu.
After staggering up what felt like a trillion stone steps, dodging monkeys that kept attempting to ravage my corn on the cob and saying 'chale jao' (go away) to hundreds of stall owners selling tat, we arrived at the entrance to the Elephanta Caves.
On the gateway there was a large sign charging tourists 500 rupees and underneath a sign stating that native Indians only had to pay 30 rupees, 470 rupees less! I have never wanted to leave a country more.
We joined the throng of disgruntled looking tourists heading back down the steps who had also refused to pay. Muttering profanities all the way down we boarded our ferry sullenly all the while hating the Indian government for their ridiculous decisions and outrageous exploitations.
Never mind, tomorrow we leave this place of no rules or conscience and head to Australia and hopefully some friendly faces.
- comments
sue arnold Love reading about your experiences! I am sure you will have a great experience in Oz. Enjoy x