Mumbai Mornings – In Pictures
The glory of Taj Hotel at dawn
The city of dreams is known for its nightlife, but for me, it’s a city of beautiful mornings!
The city looks absolutely soaked in poetry at the crack of dawn. My alarm clock buzzed at 5:30 am and although I like to sleep in, I managed to get out of bed within a minute or two. I quickly splashed some water on my face and got down to find a taxi. Most of the cabbies were still asleep. But I was fortunate to find one a little awake, who got ready to drive me to Marine Drive. I hadn’t tied my hair – I let them loose to enjoy the mesmeric breezes of Mumbai. So I was literally letting my hair down!
Mumbai Mornings – In Pictures
The ships at Gateway of India |
There was a sense of smug happiness within me of seeing the city while it was still asleep, and I was awake to feel its one-of-a-kind magic!
Hotel City Palace, where I stayed, is located opposite Victoria Terminus Station and it’s a short distance from Gateway of India, The Taj Hotel and Marine Drive.
Gateway Of India welcomes a new day |
Marine Drive is the heart of Mumbai – it begins from Nariman Point and ends at a small beach. It’s a pavement made to walk, sit and gaze the skyscrapers and the distant sea horizon. I have been there quite a few times, but my favorite time was that one early morning when I witnessed several hues of sky burst into the landscape. From bluish-purple to a mellow stroke of yellow, the sky played an unabashed melody of colors. The boats moored at the beach looked like a painting.
Morning scene at a beach |
As the day unfolds, all of it melts into the usual humdrum of everyday. But the brief, yet compelling early hours of the day are like a rendezvous with a surreal Mumbai.
It’s not a painting – it’s real. |
I found Mumbai to be a city that allows you to live with abandonment. Whether you travel on a local train or a bus, get drenched in its torrential rains or immerse into the everyday craziness, Mumbai never gives you a mundane moment.
Notice the moon still in the sky… reluctant to fade. |
For Mumbai, there’s nothing like morning blues; it’s just like turning a new page to read another interesting story that lies ahead.
Waking up to a new bustling day |
So serene, so surreal… that’s how Marine Drive looks like in the morning. |
Skyscrapers bathed in the morning hues. |
The sun has just begun to glisten… at Marine Drive |
How many times do you find your breath being taken away? Well, if you are in Mumbai, it will happen quite often.
Have you experienced Mumbai early in the morning?