Mumbai Activities

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There is a lot to do in Mumbai, but lack of space means that for outdoorsy activities, you need to head north, often outside city limits. In the Northwestern suburbs and Thane, you will find opportunities for water sports like H20 www.drishtiadventures.com/index.asp at Girgaum Chowpatty. There are two golf courses in the city, the more famous one in Chembur www.bpgc-golf.com/home.htm in the Harbour suburbs.

Mumbai has a vibrant theater scene with plays in many languages including English, Hindi, Gujarati, and Marathi. While South Mumbai has frequent performances, the best organized theater effort is at Prithvi theater, Juhu in the Western Suburbs. There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy Indian classical music and dance. While not a patch on the Sabhas of Chennai, you will find frequent performances of Carnatic music in Shanmukhananda Hall, Matunga in the South Central suburbs.

Mumbai is also usually the first stop for Western pop and rock stars visiting India, which they usually do when they are over 50. The Rock scene is very good in Mumbai. These are very safe to go to and are recommended for rock fans. Most bands cover heavy metal acts like Pantera, Six feet under, and Slipknot, but at places like Not just jazz by the bay, there are treats for Jazz fans, as well. To try to find places with specific music tastes try asking students outside Mumbai's colleges. Western classical music performances are rarer.

Marine Drive

• Slum Tour, from Reality Tours and Travel +91 22 22833872, www.realitytoursandtravel.com, can be set up to walk through Dharivi, Asia's largest slum. They are socially conscious and many of the proceeds go to charity. 800 Rs includes a trip to Dobi Ghat, the largest open air laundry in the world, and the red light district. Note: Photos are not permitted during the tour of the slum, out of respect for the residents. If you must have that slum pic, just provide your guide with your email details, they will be happy to arrange to email you a nice set of pics.
• Harbour Cruise, Gateway of India, +91 22 2202 3585. Cruises leave every 30 min daily except during the monsoon season (Jun-Sep). Rs. 40.
• Heritage walks, Navyug Niketan, 185 Walkeshwar Road, Teenbatti, Mumbai, 400 006 +91 22 2683 5856 +91 22 2369 0992 (Contact Brinda Gaitonde or Abha Bahl heritagewalks@hotmail.com). Organized by two architects, these walks take you around various historic and architecturally significant areas of the city. Walks are organized on the third Sunday of every month (with a break from June through August for the monsoons) and the route varies each time. The walks last around 90 min. Rs. 100 (Discounted rates for students and the physically challenged).
• Marine Drive — It is a beautiful drive.
• Kala Ghoda www.kalaghodaassociation.com — The arts and crafts festival is held in the last week of Jan or first week of Feb annually in the historic precinct of Kala ghoda in Mumbai.
• Taj Private Yacht — If you can afford it (at $300/hr, including drinks & meals), rent the Taj's private yacht (has two sun decks and three bedrooms) for a cruise around the Mumbai harbour.
• Poonawallas Breeders Multimillion — On the last Sunday of Feb, the glitterati of Mumbai dress up for the Ascot of Mumbai at the Mahalaxmi Race Course. With High Tea, amazing hats, and hundreds of ordinary punters staking their little all on the outside chance, this is the event to attend in Mumbai so try to cage a ticket if you happen to visit around then.

• www.drishtiadventures.com/index.asp
• www.bpgc-golf.com/home.htm
• www.realitytoursandtravel.com
• www.kalaghodaassociation.com