Wut? No Seriously.

me: why

brain: you gotta

me: but..

So this has sort of become a new ritual of sorts - I stay awake all Saturday night and at the crack of dawn, or a little before that - pick up my bag and camera and set off. This time I went to Bandra.  Now, Bandra is my 2nd favorite place in Mumbai (the first is Town). It has this old - school charm which is evident in everything; the houses, churches even the pavements. At the same time has this buzzing vibe thanks to the people, the sea and those amazing murals which just leaves you awestruck. But most importantly my love for Bandra can be entirely attributed to the fact that it reminds me so much of home - Goa.

Bandra in fact, was gifted to the ruling Portuguese in the early 1500's 'for meritorious service'. That explains all those familiar Portuguese surnames I keep seeing on the name plaques here, among other things. Also, the architecture - those houses with slopping roofs and verandah's along those tiny lanes. With roads named Mt. Carmel Rd among many others, I can't help but melt in a puddle thinking about those narrow, winding roads back home leading up to beaches in the south.  And it is the one place in Mumbai where I will find the maximum no of cars/bikes with a Goa (GA) registration. Sigh. As much as I would love to believe that Bandra is like Goa, it is also bursting with a flavor that one can never get enough of - Mumbai. I have seen graffiti and then I've seen what Bandra's streets have to offer. Do me a favor and just walk down Chapel Rd and see it for yourself. Until you decide to go, here's a sneak peak.

  There are a few places in Mumbai which are quiet, well at least at some time of the day and there are fewer that become your personal sanctuaries; at Bandra Fort, I found mine. Over the years, it has been revamped and 'beautified' but what stands now are the ruins of a glorious past. The Fort also gives you an amazing view of the Bandra - Worli Sea Link which now gives you another reason to visit it. Also 2 of my favorite movies,  Jhankaar Beats and Jane Tu Ya Jane Na were shot here. (Relevant Bollywood reference: Check)

I headed home aching legs and munching on some insanely delicious Pav from A1 bakery. Again. SIGH! 

Disclaimer: No this is NOT a Robert De Niro movie ,how I wish it was. (Ref: the title)

Coming from Goa, I figured I'd hate Mumbai beaches (which I do) but there's something about a city by the sea. The one thing that's a constant in this maddening city; the crashing waves or the stirring water. Maybe it's the salty breeze, though it's definitely got to do something with the calm it brings upon you every time you take a moment to experience it. 

I've always been in love with visuals and then I realized I could capture some myself. This was the result. 

(Marine Drive)

(Worli Sea Face)

 (Haji Ali Dargah)