Surprise Mumbai Trip!

Last week got eventful, fast. I had known that a group from Kodaikanal International School would be venturing to Mumbai on March 4 for the National Science Festival held at NES International School there. What I did not know is that they were short a female chaperon. Last Monday I was asked if I would be willing to go and after a whirlwind of planning, plane ticket buying, and packing, we left Tuesday morning with seven excited students. Below you will find some of the highlight pictures from the trip. 

In case you aren't familiar with India geography, here is Mumbai marked on the Google Map:

Flying in over the Indian Ocean:

Some images from the National Science Festival. The school was very fancy and the even included a cultural program as well as traditional sand paintings:

Our students are all winners (cheesy I know) but these guys won the awards to prove it:

Then the principal from NES International School was so pleased that we had come all the way from Kodai that he set us up with a guided tour of Mumbai. We first visited the Taj Mahal Hotel, which was the site of the 2008 terrorist attack:

The hotel is gorgeous and right on the water. Here is our group photo:

Some incredibly colorful horse carriages:

The Gateway of India:

The Regal Cinema is the oldest cinema in Mumbai. This is a big deal because Mumbai is the home of Bollywood (Mumbai is basically the Hollywood, CA of the East):

The Institute of Science (this is the back door but we couldn't get through the gates to go to the front door):

Street scene. A chappal (sandal) seller:

Next we went to the beach! Here are my feet in the Arabian Sea/ Indian Ocean for the first time:

Pani puri from a food vendor on the beach. A unique and tasty culinary experience:

Haji Ali Mosque is completely surrounded by water:

Night time at the market. All of the colors laid out for Holi:

Eating Punjabi sweets on the plane on the way home: