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After sleeping remarkably well I awoke with much apprehension, hoping the rest of the hotel no longer resembled a scene from the film 'Hostel' - thankfully it didn't. The daylight bought about a level of respectability and a nod of the head from some fellow travellers in the hallway settled the nerves.
So with my usual nonchalant 'f*** you world' attitude I ventured out on to the streets of Bombay! ....Wow
No recognisable shops, not a European face in sight for well over an hour, I couldn't even find anything edible! This travelling malarkey is difficult and the simplest of tasks suddenly becomes a full military operation! I scuff my spangly white new flip flops on the road as I walk to try and wear them in so as to not look like I've just arrived, who am I kidding! I stick out like Rolf Harris' budgy smugglers in a paddling pool of toddlers!
After strolling around the 'touristy areas of colaba' without seeing a single tourist I jump in a cab and head off to the underwhelming Gateway of India. Swallowed up by its more recent surroundings it is some what understated, but iconic nonetheless.
Now I'm a local celeb, Indian after Indian wants a pic with the 'white boy' - strange, but I quite take to being a commodity and appreciate their casual racism.
I see groups of people boarding small passenger boats and presume it's the ferry to Elephanta Caves. I joined the crowds and boarded, eying a white couple listening closely for an English accent, even scouse would have been welcomed at this point...Dutch, b*****!
After trekking about 975 thousand steps and nearly getting attacked by a monkey I arrived at the caves dripping from head to toe, I noticed the locals were drenched also. I'm so happy right about now- I'm at incredible caves carefully sculpted in an estimated 7th AD! This is right up my street!
I start to wander why there is so many coupled up Indian guys, most holding hands, it seems Elephanta Caves is some sort of homage for the gay community in India. Each to their own.
In the heat of the midday sun I remember I haven't got any sun cream, so make a hasty return to a restaurant at the bottom of the hill, I happened to notice the 'cold beer' sign on my assent. Now we're talking!
I forced my way on to a European couples table, didn't catch their names, they were French. I like to think it was Francois and Flores. It was good to have a conversation with fellow travellers. They were also heading to Udaipur soon. Kind of left on an awkward note though as I fell asleep on the return ferry back to Mumbai, I awoke in a shock and kicked Francois in the shin. He laughed and we parted!
I battled my way through the crowded streets to find a Starbucks where I see a big 'free wifi' sticker on the window! I'll have a bit of that. Surat was kind enough to help me with the security codes required. Which brings me to now. I'm sunburnt, tired, effectively lost in a sea of noise but bloody hell this beats the 9-5 grind. India is an explosion on the senses, vibrant, ambient and big, very bloody big!
I need a better plan tomorrow, I need to find a 'backpacker hangout'...if they even exist!
Travel tip of the day: Don't attempt a selfie with a macaque, they are aggressive!
- comments
aisha you not been informed of the custom of holding hands yet?...i too thought it was some form of homosexualism..however thats just what they do...like girls linking arms. i'm enjoying your blog a lot :) you know how much i enjoy a good cave/beer/bit of free wifi
perryinindia Are you sure, they were nestling their heads into their neck/shoulders and gazing into each others eyes! Looks like homosexuals to me. I won't be getting that friendly with any Indians myself I can assure you that!