The “Gateway To India” Arch in Mumbai.

Gateway to India built in 1911.

One of the best places to capture humanity in all its permutations is the area around the “Gateway to India” arch.  This area, with the Taj Palace Hotel across the street, is probably the favorite of all the sightseeing destinations in Mumbai (referred to as Bombay by local inhabitants).  Both foreign and Indian tourist like to walk this area spending equal times looking at the arch and the hotel.

From dawn to the wee hours of the morning, the plaza is visited by throes interested in taking photos of both sites.  Many people stop and gawk at the Taj Palace Hotel.  Some may do so because of the grandeur of the hundred year old building while others may have a more morbid interest as it was the locale of  a 2008 terrorist attack that killed numerous guests.

Besides the sightseers, the area is frequented by vendors of every stripe, horse drawn elaborate carriages, and armies of photographers looking to make money by photographing tourists.

Photos were shot with a Nikon D700 with Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 AFS zoom lens and a Nikon D300s and  Nikkor 70-300mm f/5.6 AFS VR zoom lens.

 

Attracts thousands a day.

One hundred year old Taj Palace Hotel in the background.

School children in a line.

And then the pigeons arrived.

Walking around a Mumbai neighborhood

One of my favorite pastimes is to get up around dawn and walk around.  With the sunrise, the morning light is great.  On one particular morning in Mumbai (referred to as Bombay by inhabitants) last week, I awoke in my hotel room and spied crops being attended to in a nearby village.  In addition to the brilliant green of the fields, I spotted a bright blue wall.  I decided to take a walk over to the village.

I don’t think the residents were accustomed to foreigners coming into their village.  I asked if it was ok to take a few photos.  They consented and I fired away.  In a few minutes, a small army of children gathered.

As I didn’t want to disturb the residents, I took a few photos and then left.  Quite colorful indeed.

These photos were taken with a Leica M8 and two lenses, a Noctilux 50mm f/1 and a Carl Zeiss Biogon 21mm f/2.8.

Flying from Bangkok to Delhi to Mumbai

Today was a very long day. From a 745am departure from Bangkok to Delhi. To a series of meetings in Delhi before an early evening flight to Mumbai. The domestic terminal in Mumbai is being completely redone. From new construction to the renovation of some sections, it is becoming quite an interesting structure. Take a look and see what you think.

No, it's not a supermarket.

Should have seen before