Mumbai - 21st February 2008

Up early, had a kind of breakfast-but was put off by the bugs which crept out of the toast!

Taxi hassle to get one and then off to central Mumbai to get a train ticket.

The train station is absolutely beautiful and one of the magical buildings that the english built. A mixture of English and India architecture it is massive and stunning. The booking of the train ticket was a real joy with their being seperate counters for foreigners and they even keep certain capacity ont he trains for tourists. I booked a second class sleeper to Agra, as no first class on the Punjab Mail 2137 train. the train ride is 23 hours! God I hope this is going to be ok or else this may well finish me off!

Going outside the train station, thinking what to do with myself for 8 hours, as the train didnt leave until 7pm that evening, and was approached by a very nice looking and english speaking gentleman who organised tours in his taxi around Mumbai. He already had 2 swedes in the car appently and was just looking for 1 more (a usual story I hear you say!) Well i decided to go wth it because he offered me a *special price* (yer right!) but I simply didnt care. To go all day in the comfort of a taxu was worth the tenner I paid.

Checked my luggage into left luggage area of the station - interesting sign - dont leave food in your left bags or the rats will eat through your bag! - enough said!

The tour was really OK, it included the station itself, an area where sacred cows and pidgeons are kept, the beach of Mumbai, the famous area where all the millionaires and bollywood stars live, the hanging peaceful gardens, a temple, Ghandis House and finally the area wher all the clothes are washed....wow in typing all this it was quite a good tour really and used up the day.

We also stopped for lunch and had the local favourite...cant remeber what it was called but it was a thin pancake around lentils, potatoes, puffed rice and came with a hot sauce. It was good....maybe 2 days later I will have the dreaded "Dehli Belly" - who knows.

Got back to station at 4pm, went into a cafe to while away the few hours and then onto the train at 7pm.

The train was surpisingly good, with air conditioning and 4 bunks to an open area. Much more room than the Chinese version. I had used my brain and bought 2 litres of bottles water and packs of crisps and biscuits for the ride, but shouldnt have bothered as there were very regular visits of people selling pakora type things and chai - tea!

After last night I hope I sleep like a log!

23 hours here I come!

Steve