17th Nov SUN: Oh Dear!! Kolkata to Mumbai

Oh dear, the day didn't start out very well.

David's luck ran out.    He awoke at 1am with the dreaded 'Delhi Belly' and took some medication but woke again at 3am and 5am by which time he was feeling pretty unwell and thought maybe we should try to get a later flight.

However the later flight was this evening and we had to check out of our rooms by 11am so David couldn't really have rested had we stayed on in Kolkata.   

We decided to stick with plan A and he did feel a little better although very tired.   So we left at 6.30am for our Air India flight to Mumbai.

We've not been impressed with Air India.   They emailed us weeks ago to advise of an amendment to our booking (the amendment was actually the cancellation of the flight) and David's been chasing for a refund ever since - it finally came last week and he told them he thought their behaviour was a bit shabby. 

Then we had a very slow check-in and luggage handling experience when travelling from Delhi to Varanasi with them.

When we checked in today they gave us boarding passes showing that we weren't sitting together and our seats were miles apart.   We argued that we'd chosen and paid for our adjoining  seats.    The boarding passes were reissued for the same row as those we'd booked but on the opposite side of the plane - strange, but we didn't argue.  We were given a gate number but when we got there we were told the gate had been changed and we were sent to a gate at the other end of the lounge.   Then we got a message saying the flight was delayed by one hour and the gate had changed yet again.... 

Eventually they called the flight and I was ahead of David in the queue to show boarding passes.   The gate staff told me my seat had been changed yet again but they couldn't check David's immediately as he was further back in the queue (he doesn't walk very fast).   I was just about to become 'very angry Memsahib'  when I realised we'd both been upgraded to Business Class.    

We had wide seats with good leg room and foot rests so David was able to get some sleep and I enjoyed a nice lunch.   We assumed we were upgraded as a result of David's complaint about their tardiness in refunding our money for a flight they cancelled ... but it may just have been coincidence of course.

We went to the 'pre-book' taxi desk and ordered a car to our hotel.   We were issued a ticket and told to go to the car park and find our vehicle.    The car turned out to be a bit of a wreck driven by an elderly white-bearded Muslim man with no personal hygiene skills.  The car reeked of stale body odour but it was too late to get back into the airport and ask for a different car or get a refund.   The car did have A/C after a fashion and we kind of got used to the aroma but it was an unpleasant journey and I think David will contact the company to let them know our experience.

Originally David suggested that we stay at the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai, India's oldest and most famous hotel which overlooks the Gateway to India.   We love the hotel and enjoyed watching the 2014 BBC series (Hotel India) following the daily routines of the butler and his staff and behind the scenes activities.

But, its a very glamorous hotel and at this time of year to get a room with sea view in the original hotel would cost from £550 per night.   David booked us into the 'new' tower extension which is a mere £300 per night for a room with seaview.  I wasn't really happy with that.   Its a lot of money to pay per night for what is basically a boring (but luxurious) hotel wing room.    

I went online and found this little gem which is a 2-3 minute walk along the promenade from the Taj Mahal Palace, with almost the same views but without the huge price tag.    With taxes its around £140 per night.  Its a boutique hotel so not the largest room  we've had this trip but perfectly adequate and its beautifully decorated and presented with a very nice modern bathroom and what David says is the best shower he's experienced for years.  

We have a balcony overlooking the Arabian Sea and if it wasn't for the palm trees in the way we'd have a fabulous view of the Gateway to India monument

We've got sea views from all windows and the balcony

We'll use the savings we've made to go to the Taj Palace  for High Tea - which truly is a special experience and not to be missed when in Mumbai!

David is catching up on sleep so I'm working through some of the old blog posts trying to standardise all the fonts and correct the most glaring typos.    There is a rooftop restaurant/bar here so we'll see how he feels when he wakes up. 

Views from our balcony  and bedroom windows

You can just about catch a glimpse of the Gateway behind the left hand palm tree here

Lots of yachts and boats on the water today

and plenty of colourful fishing boats too

I'm keeping a wary eye on proceedings outside.   There's a long jetty thing built into the sea close to our room and there has been lots of activity since we arrived.   They've erected some sort of stage with huge speakers and lots of lights .... and scores of tables/chairs.     I checked with our receptionist and he says its an annual function and is for tonight only .... fingers crossed he's right as every time they test the sound system it sounds as though they're in the room with us! 

Mid afternoon

and around 6.30pm tonight

Then in full flow around 8pm with lasers, loud music and a lady compere/animator with booming voice

We had a light meal in the open air roof top restaurant.   It was very busy there and its obvious its also open to the general public and is a popular meeting/eating place.    The air conditioned restaurant part was empty ....  

Now we just have to plan our day's activity for tomorrow.    We've been to Mumbai several times and feel very comfortable and relaxed here.   We deliberately didn't plan anything until we got here but now its crunch time.   We have two full days and need to organise ourselves ... more tomorrow