We have been fortunate to welcome several visitors since the beginning of the year and I've been terribly neglectful in writing about anyone. Our guests have included Jake and Linda (bellringing friends from Bedfordshire), Vibhuti and Aruna (non-bellringing friends from Cambridge and Lincolnshire), Luke, Lizzie, Richard and Dickon (more bellringing friends with Cambridge connections).
We try to show all our guests the sights and sounds of Mumbai and for nearly our guests above, this included afternoon tea at the Taj.
The Taj hotel is an institution. This grand palace of a hotel was built by Mr Tata at a time when only white people were welcome at fine hotels in Mumbai. He opened the Taj hotel to welcome anyone (who could pay), white or Indian, and it is now the only fine hotel from that era left standing. The Taj epitomises elegance, grace and luxury and has a photo cabinet devoted to the illustrious visitors it has welcomed in the past. This includes US Presidents, British Prime Ministers and the great and good of Hollywood, Bollywood and the music industry. The Taj hotel group is now a chain of luxury hotels in many locations all over India and worldwide.
Whilst there is little point in us staying at the Taj hotel given that we live in Mumbai, I always enjoy the treat of a drink in the Sea Lounge, the cafe/bar overlooking the Arabian Sea and Gateway of India at the front of the hotel. From 4pm to 7pm each day, the hotel offers afternoon tea which includes one of a wide selection of gourmet teas, a stand of delicious sandwiches, cakes, scones and savoury treats, and a large buffet of delicate treats just in case the food on the stand isn't enough. It isn't really afternoon tea, it's easily tea and dinner rolled into one, and is a great way to enjoy the finer side of life in Mumbai and transport yourself back to an earlier age of 4pm tea, conversation and cucumber sandwiches.
We've now been twice (well Phil much more, but me twice only) and here are some pictures from our initial trip.
A useful local tip is that the additional bonus of the Taj is its superb bathrooms. India doesn't do usable public toilets and, if out and about in South Bombay, you can't do better than using the facilities at the Taj. If you are lucky you will have your hands washed for you! If you are unlucky and dressed like a scruffy backpacker like when Phil's sister visited several years ago, you will get ejected from the hotel pretty quickly, possibly before you have had the chance to avail of the facilities...
As an aside, the visits of Jake, Linda, Richard, Dickon, Lizzie and Luke have increased the peal total for our apartment. Here are the details of the three peals rung during their visit, including one of maximus, not unknown but a rarity outside Britain and certainly a first in Asia.
Kent Major with Jake and Linda.
http://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=368290
Yorkshire Major with Luke and Lizzie
http://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=458895
Spliced Kent and Bastow Maximus with Luke, Lizzie, Richard and Dickon.
http://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=461823
We try to show all our guests the sights and sounds of Mumbai and for nearly our guests above, this included afternoon tea at the Taj.
The Taj hotel is an institution. This grand palace of a hotel was built by Mr Tata at a time when only white people were welcome at fine hotels in Mumbai. He opened the Taj hotel to welcome anyone (who could pay), white or Indian, and it is now the only fine hotel from that era left standing. The Taj epitomises elegance, grace and luxury and has a photo cabinet devoted to the illustrious visitors it has welcomed in the past. This includes US Presidents, British Prime Ministers and the great and good of Hollywood, Bollywood and the music industry. The Taj hotel group is now a chain of luxury hotels in many locations all over India and worldwide.
The Taj Hotel viewed from the seafront next to the Gateway to India.
Whilst there is little point in us staying at the Taj hotel given that we live in Mumbai, I always enjoy the treat of a drink in the Sea Lounge, the cafe/bar overlooking the Arabian Sea and Gateway of India at the front of the hotel. From 4pm to 7pm each day, the hotel offers afternoon tea which includes one of a wide selection of gourmet teas, a stand of delicious sandwiches, cakes, scones and savoury treats, and a large buffet of delicate treats just in case the food on the stand isn't enough. It isn't really afternoon tea, it's easily tea and dinner rolled into one, and is a great way to enjoy the finer side of life in Mumbai and transport yourself back to an earlier age of 4pm tea, conversation and cucumber sandwiches.
We've now been twice (well Phil much more, but me twice only) and here are some pictures from our initial trip.
Jake and Linda relaxing after a hot walk through South Mumbai.
The stand of delicious treats (we had two!).
Moving in for a sandwich with my Taj House Blend tea.
Vibhuti and Aruna (sorry I've picked a picture with your eyes closed Vibhuti!)
A sweet interlude from the buffet for Phil
Contented Phil.
The corridors of the Taj are adorned with fresh flowers.
Milling on the grand staircase which leads up to the Sea lounge.
We had time for a quick trip to the Gateway to India before the sun went down.
A useful local tip is that the additional bonus of the Taj is its superb bathrooms. India doesn't do usable public toilets and, if out and about in South Bombay, you can't do better than using the facilities at the Taj. If you are lucky you will have your hands washed for you! If you are unlucky and dressed like a scruffy backpacker like when Phil's sister visited several years ago, you will get ejected from the hotel pretty quickly, possibly before you have had the chance to avail of the facilities...
As an aside, the visits of Jake, Linda, Richard, Dickon, Lizzie and Luke have increased the peal total for our apartment. Here are the details of the three peals rung during their visit, including one of maximus, not unknown but a rarity outside Britain and certainly a first in Asia.
Kent Major with Jake and Linda.
http://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=368290
Yorkshire Major with Luke and Lizzie
http://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=458895
Spliced Kent and Bastow Maximus with Luke, Lizzie, Richard and Dickon.
http://bb.ringingworld.co.uk/view.php?id=461823
Peal band for Kent Maximus rung in May 2015 for the ASCY and Cambridge University Guild. Seated clockwise from bottom right: Lizzie, Dickon, Jennie, Phil, Luke, Richard.
No comments:
Post a Comment