India is a long way to go, whichever way you travel, almost exactly halfway round the world from Calgary to Mumbai. Last time, I flew over the Atlantic and this time over the Pacific. Hardly any difference.
We arrived a couple of hours after midnight and were picked up by our driver and brought to the Taj Mahal Palace on the waterfront. It is a stellar property and we had requested and received a waterfront view. The hotel is beautifully maintained, and our room was super comfortable, a great bathroom, spacious furnishings, excellent electronics and what really makes a hotel, great service. We were taken to our room to sign in, and while we did that we were served a delicious cup of tea, exactly as ordered, by the butler Keith, who was great.
Included in the room rent was breakfast in the Sea Lounge, on the first floor. (India is surprisingly English in their terminology, the first floor being what in North America would be the second). The room has fabulous views of the harbor and serves a great buffet breakfast, with impeccable service.
Taj runs some spectacular hotels, and of its three of four Palaces, those in Mumbai, Jaipur, Udaipur, I have been lucky enough to visit, and would highly recommend.
Mumbai is worth a few days visit. It is cosmopolitan, thriving, energetic, worldly, amazing. The sightseeing is great, the museums interesting the shopping glorious, and the people and colours something else. We stayed over the third anniversary of the awful massacre that occurred when terrorists attacked the hotel, but loved every moment of our stay, and were pleased how nobody wanted to dwell on the sadness of the date. Unfortunately we only had two nights the, but that was due to our wanting to come to Udaipur, and stay in one of my favorite hotels anywhere. So early in the morning we headed to the airport driven by the same driver who had given us a city tour the day before, and helped with the checking in. A travel tip, although it costs a little, be sure to organize a company to look after your transfers and tours. I used Greaves, who specialize in India, and the surrounding countries, and are great. You get good value, and great local knowledge, and they really do make life easier. It is so wonderful to arrive after a long journey, and have someone with a smile and a sign to meet you.
Anyway, off we went to Udaipur.