Mumbai, India June 17th 2012

The Mumbai Experience - getting there.

Homeward bound then, but not before a stop off in Mumbai - a transit stop to connect with the day flight to London tomorrow. Travel weary by now and the prospect of a night in expensive downtown Mumbai doesn't  appeal right now, so maybe there is space today's flight. Perhaps a few no- shows and since the schedules have changed the connection is now more feasible.
3 hours 40 minutes is the flight time to Mumbai according to the captain who also warns of monsoon conditions - this could be a fun ride! The plane stops climbing, throttles back as it transits the urban sprawl of the southern suburbs of Bangkok city. Something to do with keeping jet noise to a minimum level, on a Sunday morning I would bet is the reason for this. Anyway, soon climbing away towards Burma and into solid cloud cover.  Moderate turbulence gives way to light chop before smoothing out completely nearing cruising height.

Nothing to see since the aircraft is cruising in clouds, so for the next 3 1/2 hours nothing to do except take a nap, plug into the entertainment and eat. And on the subject of eating, the food is handed out with a nice smile actually. Vegetarian or non is the choice, "non please", I reply. Airline food, the quality of, is often a hit and miss affair so I never really have great expectations on an economy ticket, but so far Jet Airways has been alright, edible at least. That all changes now however - a slice of processed meat, a derivative of New York pastrami crossed with various other Western processed delights it looks like, dried around the edges. The most unappetising piece of food I have seen in a long time! An omelette that has obviously around for some hours judging by the rubbery texture, shredded fried potato and a grilled half tomato is what makes up this tray of delights. A miniature bread roll and half a dozen fruit segments completes this most memorable meal! And that piece of food trying to pass as meat - I left it. The coffee is on its way, I can smell the aromas from the back. It's a small cup to start with, so when they only half fill it, well. It's almost like being back in Vietnam. I did enjoy my two mouthfuls though, I needed it!

Crossing the Indian coastline and the clouds have dispersed. Blue sky, brown land. It's a barron landscape, not a great deal of detail from 30'000 feet but   Green patches are noticeable along rivers and lakes. It's a brief glimpse of India as the plane descends towards Mumbai and into a monsoon. Storms and aviation don't generally make a good mix, so it's a little surprising that the captain hasn't re-routed to avoid the cell. Heavy rain and lightening off the left wing, some turbulence but not particularly heavy. Captain reports rain and a temperature of 27c - that's pretty cold for Mumbai!
Finally, cloud breaks with 5 minutes to go and lined up for landing. Landing into the west this time over a scene that really is a typical Mumbai picture - an urban sprawl extending beyond infinity, interlaced with extensive areas of slum. It's really any visitors first sight of Mumbai and its not a pretty one at that. The airport is surrounded by shanty towns and those here for the first time and expecting a tropical paradise could be excused for leaving on the next plane out. Hardy travellers and explorers however will relish the challenge ahead of them - welcome to Mumbai.

VIDEO: Take off from Bangkok (plugs into Youtube)

VIDEO: Landing in Mumbai (plugs into Youtube)

Next... Finding a place to stay in Monsoon hit Mumbai