Elephants, Memories, and Getting Lost in Navi Mumbai...
Saturday, October 27, 2007
So, as posh as our hotel in Mumbai was, there was no freaking internet connectivity. So I've been off the grid for two days. I'm in Chennai now and finally have a connection, so here's catching up:
On Thursday we flew from Delhi to Mumbai. If you're curious, let me assure you that domestic air travel in India far surpasses that of the US. For starters, domestic termials in India are way more laid back. Nobody seems stressed and uptight, and the security process doesn't make you feel like a criminal. The shortest flights guarantee a full gourmet meal, and the service is impeccable. And when you get to your destination, your luggage has already started coming out by the time you get to the baggage claim. Gotta love it.
Anyway, so we landed in Delhi around 8 after a two hour flight. We figured we'd be at the hotel within an hour, since the hotel was some distance away and traffic can be unpredictable. Three hours later, after getting totally lost, unlost, and lost again a few times, we finally got into Navi (New) Mumbai and the Park Hotel. The hotel is ultra-mod and would fit in well in Southern California or Miami. Here's a picture from the corridor that leads to the rooms:
The next day we went to the office. On the way, I saw my first random elephant! Well not random, per se: I think a guy was riding his elephant to work. I almost missed it altogether, but managed to get a quick video as we passed by (although you'll probably have trouble seeing the elephant, and you'll see me jerk my arm/camera back in the car very quickly to avoid losing them both to a motorcyclist!).
Last night, Vik and I had the pleasure of hanging out with Sanjeet, a former colleague of ours that has recently relocated to Mumbai. Since Navi Mumbai is a good two hour trip from where Sanjeet stays, he crashed on the couch in Vik's room and rode back in with us this morning. Just before leaving, Vik suggested we get a picture that actually has us in it:
When we got to the airport in Mumbai, we were initially told our flight was delayed by another hour, but then we're able to squeeze onto an earlier flight that had been delayed. In the end, we got on the plane about twenty minutes after arriving at the airport and were off to Chennai.
More to come shortly...
posted by Dustin @ 3:43 AM,
2 Comments:
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At October 31, 2007 at 10:31 AM,
Unknown said...
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This is cool - you missed out the "big fat indian birthday party" that we almost gate crashed into :). Yeah, I think that was the highlight of our trip to Navi Mumbai...
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At November 2, 2007 at 2:27 AM,
Char said...
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what cuties! :) I heart you.. hurry home so we can get together!