Anyone lived/living in India (Mumbai)?

manic111

manic111

manic111

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My company has an office in Mumbai, and I'm due to head out there for a number of months from August. I'm really looking forward to it, but have a few questions for any India veterans out there...

1/ (Slightly niche) - can anyone recommend a gym?
2/ What's it like out there from a "people" perspective? Is it the sort of place where a lot of Brits go on holiday? I'm happy socialising with the locals, and think that I'll quite enjoy it, but it would be nice to hear a British voice from time to time.
3/ Nightlife - any recommendations?

Cheers - any more advice would be great as well :)
 
It's a big city so they're basically used to caucausians popping through. Very friendly people Indians (slightly biased though :p). Don't molest cows, they won't like that. :p

There are plenty of clubs and bars I hear, the Indians love a pint and a dance.
 
I got out there on business regularly - Well n fact to Pune but fly into Mumbai. First thing you will notice is the smell, it stinks of sewage. As soon as the plane hits the tarmac you will smell it. You do get used to it though, after a few days.

Its hot in the Summer, mighty hot, my last trip was 4 weeks ago and it was up to 45deg in the day, dropped to 29 at night. Its hotter in Mumbai as it's not so high as Pune.

Top tip - take 1 laptop - I took 2 the first time I went and came very close to having to give one up. Only 1 laptop allowed in. On the return flights make sure you have your E-Ticket printed, you cant just walk into Mumbai airport, the Army check your tickets outside and as this is one of the few times that they can use there authority of over European people, they will generally do so :)

Local people are really nice, although can be intimidated by the European, especially in the office environment. The best way forward is to break those bridges down ASAP, go out and get drunk!!!! When you first get there (especially in Mumbai) do not go out on your own at night, you will be safe, but you will get mobbed by local beggars, always take a local with you until you feel confident enough to walk around on your own.

Dont drink ANY water other than bottles, ALWAYS check the seal, only eat in 5 star hotels or restaurants, do get the Jabs your doc says you need, if you are staying over a month get rabies as well.

The food is great, like I mentioned, only get it in Restaurants or 5 Star Hotels (or cook it yourself) the Chineese food they do is amazing, as is the Indian food. Really spicy, very moreish.

there are loads of clubs and bars wherever you go in large Indian city's. the night life is great and generally everyone is out to get drunk and have a good time. You will make loads of good friends. best thing, its cheap as chips. A 3 course meal in a 5 star hotel will be about £8.
 
Keep your wits about you. I'm sure the odd few (or plenty) will be wanted to rip off a caucasian person in some way or another. And by that I mean at the airport.

Remember those Malaria tablets I guess.

In the more urban-ish city areas, there will be plenty of beggars on the roads ready to mob you.

I haven't been there in a couple years myself but the principles don't change much.

Still, a nice place when you're at the nice places.
 
PGdude said:
Keep your wits about you. I'm sure the odd few (or plenty) will be wanted to rip off a caucasian person in some way or another. And by that I mean at the airport.

Remember those Malaria tablets I guess.

In the more urban-ish city areas, there will be plenty of beggars on the roads ready to mob you.

I haven't been there in a couple years myself but the principles don't change much.

Still, a nice place when you're at the nice places.
Click to expand...

Same in Bangladesh, basically i'm not going to India or Bangladesh ever again in my whole life, it's just one big toliet IMO
 
Cheers for the advice, sounds like fun - I'll be working in the business district which is apparently one of the nicer areas, so hopefully I'll be able to miss out the worst bits.a

Thanks for the poor jokes as well :p
 
ShaggyRS6 said:
I got out there on business regularly - Well n fact to Pune but fly into Mumbai. First thing you will notice is the smell, it stinks of sewage. As soon as the plane hits the tarmac you will smell it. You do get used to it though, after a few days.

Its hot in the Summer, mighty hot, my last trip was 4 weeks ago and it was up to 45deg in the day, dropped to 29 at night. Its hotter in Mumbai as it's not so high as Pune.

Top tip - take 1 laptop - I took 2 the first time I went and came very close to having to give one up. Only 1 laptop allowed in. On the return flights make sure you have your E-Ticket printed, you cant just walk into Mumbai airport, the Army check your tickets outside and as this is one of the few times that they can use there authority of over European people, they will generally do so :)

Local people are really nice, although can be intimidated by the European, especially in the office environment. The best way forward is to break those bridges down ASAP, go out and get drunk!!!! When you first get there (especially in Mumbai) do not go out on your own at night, you will be safe, but you will get mobbed by local beggars, always take a local with you until you feel confident enough to walk around on your own.

Dont drink ANY water other than bottles, ALWAYS check the seal, only eat in 5 star hotels or restaurants, do get the Jabs your doc says you need, if you are staying over a month get rabies as well.

The food is great, like I mentioned, only get it in Restaurants or 5 Star Hotels (or cook it yourself) the Chineese food they do is amazing, as is the Indian food. Really spicy, very moreish.

there are loads of clubs and bars wherever you go in large Indian city's. the night life is great and generally everyone is out to get drunk and have a good time. You will make loads of good friends. best thing, its cheap as chips. A 3 course meal in a 5 star hotel will be about £8.
Click to expand...

very good advice, I have been working in Barmer (4 hour drive from Jophur) recently and i am going back tomorrow :/ They liked to have a drink or 3 where i was, Kingfisher Strong was the popular choice for starters. You'll get used to the smell, child beggars and the amount of cattle roaming the streets!

I think cows are considered sacred but the ones i saw looked like being on the brink of carking it.

enjoy :)
 
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