Mumbai

Mumbai greets visitors with colonial-era buildings and heavy traffic in equal measure. The Gateway of India, a triumphal arch on the waterfront, faces the Arabian Sea. Marine Drive curves along the coast and fills with walkers and families in the evening. The cruise terminal is modern and handles arrivals smoothly. Beyond it, the city hits at once: car horns, auto-rickshaws cutting through traffic, and the smell of street food on every corner. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, a UNESCO-listed Victorian Gothic railway station, is still in daily use and worth seeing. The Dhobi Ghat open-air laundry and Crawford Market are glimpses of a city that runs on visible human labour. Street food is a serious draw: pav bhaji, vada pav, and bhel puri from carts across the city. The Indian rupee is the currency. Taxis and ride-shares are the practical way to cover distances.