By the time we reached the hotel it was around 2.30am. First impressions were that the hotel was more like an almost 1 star than the 4 star it was billed as, even though the staff were friendly. We found our room and settled down for a few hours sleep. After what seemed to be just a few moments we were woken by the alarm and went to get some breakfast before it was too late. There was a breakfast buffet of sorts laid out in The Tamarind restaurant which looked out on a very small and very much over-looked swimming pool which would have looked more in keeping in somebody's back garden!! Anyway, breakfast was fine, if a little unusual in some of the choices, and we had plenty to eat before returning for another little nap!

Later in the day we finally made our way outside and walked the very short distance over to the water front. We could see the Gateway of India in the distance and slowly made our way in that direction, taking in the sights along the way ie water and boats to one side and people of all kinds plus cars, buses, taxis and many other kinds of vehicle on the other.

As we drew near to the Gateway of India we could see the crowds gathered at what is obviously a very popular tourist spot for all nationalities. The Gateway was built to commemorate the visit to India by King George V and Queen Mary in 1911. There were thousands of people basking in the sunshine and taking selfies in front of the monument. To our left, looking out over the water, was the imposing Taj Mahal Palace hotel, subject of the violent attack by Pakistani Muslim extremists in 2008.

We walked on into the Gateway area and then on through to the jetty behind the gate where boats are lining up to take tourists on a 30 minute ride around the harbour. We paid our money and bought tickets, all very easy and no waiting either. Once on board to had to pay another 10 rupees each to climb the ladder onto the top deck but thought it was worth it. The boat soon filled up and we were on our way. We had a fabulous view of the Gateway, and of the Taj hotel as we pulled away. We chugged through the many boats of all kinds moored in the harbour and could see many cranes and containers in the distant port. We were followed for the entire trip by a company of eager seagulls and, as we returned, they were joined by a couple of rooks presumably trying to pose as seagulls but not succeeding!

We really enjoyed the boat trip and thought it was well worth it. Back on dry land we went for a wander past the Police Headquarters and the Regal cinema. We were now on a busy shopping street filled with many upmarket shops, all with small stalls selling just about everything on the pavements in front. Although stall holders obviously wanted to sell, they did not bother you, nor did beggars or others on the street and this seems to be a major change since Simon's visit 15 or so years ago.

We came across the Leopold cafe which is a bit of a Mumbai institution having been around since 1871. It was also the site where another 10 people were murdered during the co-ordinated attacks in 2008, all very sad and pointless. We had a couple of very welcome Kingfisher beers and ate curry, rice, dhal and naan ... a very generous portion and very cheap too!

Back at the hotel we found that the advertised bar is closed for renovation for 4 or 5 months! Oh well. We watched India's opening game in the world T20 against New Zealand on the TV in our room. Much to the disgust of the home crowd the Black Caps won easily. Let's see how England fare against the West Indies tomorrow!