In my six years and a half years in Mumbai, I have never been to Kihim beach.

So when the opportunity cropped up, I decided to grab it. We reached our destination - Danny’s bungalow on Kihim beach - on Saturday evening at about 6.00 p.m. The bungalow, also goes by the more glamorous name of Sea Castle. The accomodation is pretty basic but clean.

Dhiraj creates an interesting, albeit unintended effect while taking this picture, as we sit around gup-shupping!

After dinner, we went for a midnight walk and admired other people’s beautiful beachside bungalows. Dhiraj nearly went off to sleep on the beach until we reminded him of painful crab bites. Came back to Sea Castle and had some totally strange conversations, but at that time of the night, anything goes. Then chatted with Lynn till the wee hours of the morning about womanly things (all the stuff you can’t talk to men about!).

Any other Sunday morning, I’d be dead to the world at 7.00 am. But this Sunday, I was up and about, raring to go. We were going step climbing.

There were around 1000 steps, though the official number we were given was 760. I think they lied. Our out-of-practice muscles said there were twice the number. And to make matters tougher, one step was between 5-10 times a normal step!

The rickshawallah left us at the base of the hill. We asked him to return in one and half hours. He naturally looked very sceptical.

The hill is actually a decoy because you can’t see the other hills behind it :)

So there we were climbing and climbing and climbing with no sign of the temple that we were supposed to find at the end of it.

According to our team leader Amit, everything you wish for is granted if you pray at the Kankeshwar temple.

This is a really ancient temple built around a gazillion years ago. The view is beautiful once you have climbed the first 300 odd steps as you get an almost 360 degree view of the surroundings, including mountains, villages and the sea in the distance.

There’s nothing except the sound of birds chirping as you climb the hill. The vegetation gets denser and there are a wide variety of trees to keep you guessing; if you are botanically inclined.

On the way down, we saw several village folk rubbing small stones on the rocks, creating an awful grating sound. While I thought it was an ancient Maharashtrian ritual, Amit discovered that they were actually catching crabs.

The sound makes the crabs uncomfortable and they come scurrying out of their hiding place. The villagers then swoop down on them catching them expertly in their hands and then deposit them into a bag. Eventually, they become someone’s lunch.

The hill is about 10-15 mins from Chondi junction by rickshaw. The trek upwards takes an hour (if you’re reasonably unfit like me) and about 40 minutes if you’re young and agile (like Ajay, whose wishes had gotten granted by the time I reached the temple!).

Chondi junction is about 8 kms from Mandwa jetty, which is about one hour from Gateway of India, if you take a really slow (and seemingly unsafe, but actually quite decent) boat.

If you’re looking for a quick getaway from Mumbai, you can try these beaches - Alibag, Kihim, Rewas - easily accessible from Gateway. The downside is that this particular stretch is not very clean. The sides are littered with plastic, food stuff, bottles, cigarette stubs and human/animal excreta. But for a Mumbaiite, a beach is a beach is a beach.

So we enjoyed ourselves playing volleyball (actually I watched, while others played!) and frisbee, walking on the beach and eating (nice vegetarian food cooked by two local women).

We were back at the Gateway at about 6.30 pm on Sunday. The Mandwa jetty was closed due to choppy waters so we took a detour via the picturesque Rewas jetty instead.

Lynn suggested we end the weekend with apple pies at Fountain Cafe. Sadly, they had run out of pies, so we settled for hot sundae nut fudge, walnut brownie, tiramisu and blueberry cheesecake instead. A pretty sweet way to end the weekend!

(The trip was organised by India Outdoors. If you’re looking for a quick getaway, an adventure holiday or a weekend break, IO organises frequent trips from Mumbai. So don’t think, just go!)

[*Pictures courtesy: Dhiraj]

I was flipping through the papers yesterday, and stopped by the movies section to find out what was running. Must watch Mona Lisa Smile and Mystic River I noted to myself.

Later in the day, I got an SMS from a friend asking if I wanted to go for Mona Lisa Smile.

It hasn’t gotten very good reviews (and that’s putting it mildly), but I rather enjoyed the movie starring Julia Roberts, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Kirsten Dunst. It had its moments. Though I don’t think the Americans quite liked being made fun of what they were like in the 1950s.

The Italian professor (Dominic West) is rather dishy. Quite sadly, he turns out to be a lying dish. Why do all these dishes have to turn out either to be adulterous, lying or dead? Sigh. Like in Cold Mountain, where Jude Law crosses the cold mountains only to die in the hands of his beloved at the very end. Just the moment when he should have been alive! Arrghh.

Some moments later, we had other dishes vying for our attention as we dug into yummy sizzlers and pastas at Pop Tates. I realised that whenever we’re in Andheri, we inevitably manage to land up at this place. But it’s got pretty great sizzlers. Unlike a few other places (Yoko, Kobes) where they put either too much cheese or too many potatoes. This one’s just right. And try the mushroom sauce. Delicious!

Now, that leaves Mystic River. I guess it’ll be too much to ask for another SMS today.

This is one of my favourite pictures of Kit Kit. I was arranging these toys on the table when she jumped up and sat right in the middle as if to say, “Look, I’m much cuter than all of them!” I know I’m biased, but isn’t she?!

Knowing my weakness for feline creatures, my sister sent me this card recently. I know Kit Kit’s going to be really jealous, but I wish they were all mine!

Ganguly for losing it (again!)

Balaji for his spunk and smile

Pathan for his enthusiasm

Kaif for giving it all he has

Dravid for his determination

Tendulkar for his gravity defying leap

And VVS Laxman for finally finding it!

And of course, Inzamam Ul Haq and Moin Khan for putting up a great fight to the finish!

I love working in acrylics, since it’s a pretty flexible medium. And plus there’s lots of room for error. You can cover up your boo-boos quickly and rework portions you’re unhappy with.

But transparent watercolours, which I’ve been trying to get a hang of lately, is a totally different ballgame.

One error and your whole effort goes down the drain. This particular characteristic hasn’t warmed me to this medium! I’ve been really frustrated the last few months. Besides the fact that I’ve hardly practised. But, never the less, I can’t be blamed for not trying!

This one was done from an actual arrangement (which was also my handiwork :) The yellow gladioli didn’t turn out very well, but I was relatively happy with the red flower and pink flower and the vase. (Flowers, by the way, look deceptively simple, but are tough to paint in watercolours.)

This one was basically an experiment in light and shadow. If you look closely, the shadow of the foliage falls both on the wall and the door creating an interesting effect. Of course, not the best of efforts, but a difficult and interesting subject that needs lotsa practice!

And this one is in acrylics. I particularly like the colour scheme which makes the scene come alive. I’m planning to frame it with a red patti around it, so it looks even more vibrant. Any offers to buy it are welcome. It will really liven up a corridor or a shady nook in your house :)

We had Yardboy, who ditched us and went back to his home country. We have Nancy Gandhi who writes evocatively about life in Chennai as an outsider.

Here are two more to add to the list. India from another perspective. Daniel Brett, ‘the sahib of behala’ and Sonia Toor, a ‘British Indian in Bombay’ (Sonia, you should get a blog!)

(And thanks to Nancy, I know what I’m having for lunch today!)

I started off disliking fish. I hated picking bones. I still remember taking a trip to Goa with my office colleagues in 1998, when I avoided the delicious fish preparations and ate chicken instead. They all thought I was crazy. I probably was!

I am not sure at what point it changed, but I am glad it did.

I love fish now. And I try and experiment with recipes whenever I get a chance. And eat out at fish places whenever I can find willing company (this is where I miss little sis!).

Thankfully, Mumbai has a lot to offer to the fish lover.

Here are a few of my favourite places.

1. Unnamed place next to Highway Gomantak (I think it was called Hotel Sheetal)
This is a really no-frills place next to the more illustrious Highway Gomantak in Bandra (if you are going from Andheri, it’s on the service road to the left). It’s smaller than Highway Gomantak, but I found the food more delicious here. I am not sure if it still open, since it’s been a while since I visited. The fish fry is amazing. Large and generous pieces fried crisp and golden. I remember going there once for dinner with office friends and they just went on and on and on. I don’t think they left out anything from the menu! And the prices were down-to-earth too.

2. Highway Gomantak
This one is more well-known and I was relatively satisfied when I sampled their cuisine. Can’t remember what exactly I ate though! Usually very crowded. I haven’t visited it for over a year now.

3. Sayyba
Located opposite the Bandra Masjid, you can almost miss it if you’re not paying attention. Drop in for some delicious Gomantak cuisine. I usually go for fish fry and prawn curry, both lip-smacking. I also find the chicken dishes in these places rather tasty, so if you’re really hungry, it’s recommended! Reasonable prices too.

4. Gajalee
Slightly more expensive, but the food is to die for. One of my favourite fish places in Mumbai. Whether it is the crab tandoori, the stuffed bomdil or the prawns masala, you won’t be disappointed. The teesriya kothimbir masala is another of my favourites. I only wish it was closer home! On hot days, sit inside in the AC section. And there’s usually a huge queue during weekend, so be prepared for the wait. The prices are higher inside but it’s more comfortable, especially if you want to enjoy a long meal. And don’t forget the soul curry! This one is located at Hanuman Road, Vile Parle (E). There is also a branch at Andheri (E) but having eaten at both, this one is recommended.

5. Apoorva
When I first started working in Mumbai, this was the fish place closest to our office in Fort. Late evenings at work would usually end with dinner here. I especially remember the soft delicious neer dosas, the stew (both veggie and chicken) and the bomdil fry! Even their fried fish is delicious. If you’re in that area, do drop in. The prices are on the higher side and I definitely know where all my money went during those days! Located at Fort, somewhere in a galli, after Bombay Store.

One that didn’t live up to expectations: Mahesh Lunch Home, Juhu
Maybe it was what we ordered. But we came away, quite unimpressed by the food. The prawn was mediocre, the surmai fry was ordinary and even the cocum water was not very good. And we paid a big bill for all of it. After all the hype, I felt it was a bit of a letdown. So I made it up to my mum-in-law by taking her to my favourite fish place Apoorva a few days later!

One I’ve been to only once but remember having good fish: Sindhudurg
I’ve only been to this eatery once, and a long long time ago. But I remember being quite impressed with the food. The prices are reasonable too. If you’re in the Dadar area, this one is worth trying.

One I’ve heard a lot about: Anant Ashram
My colleagues used to sing praises about this humble eatery in Girgaum. This was when we were working in Kemps Corner. I never made it at that time (plus I wasn’t fond of this particular creature at that time!). I’ve heard heaps about the food though. Fish thalli, crab, teesriya. Whatever takes your fancy and apparently you can eat yourself silly for about 70-80 bucks. What are you waiting for?!

Another one I’ve heard a lot about: Goa Portugesa, Mahim
I’ve got rather conflicting reports about this particular eating place. With a name like that, I would think the food would be something out of Goa. But I guess I’ll have to wait till I can taste the fare myself before I can form an opinion.

Another one that I don’t think exists anymore: Only Fish, Tardeo
Bengalis know how to cook their fish. But unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to check out this bong eatery, since it is rather out of the way. I love fish, but I can’t imagine travelling so far to taste it! Unless you’re treating and letting me stay in your house afterwards. I am not even sure if it still exists. If I am not mistaken, it got renamed/rechristened but I can’t quite remember!

Then there’s the Dadar Gomantak. After hearing a lot about it, I decided to drop in when my mom had come over and we were shopping in Dadar. Even she was curious about it. But when we saw the mile long queue outside. we decided to give it a miss!

Any other fish place you’d recommend?

If you are an Indian studying abroad, I’d love to hear from you regarding any strange, heart-warming, funny or interesting cultural experience that you had when you first landed in the country you are now living in. Something that you didn’t expect, or took you some time to get used to. A humorous story worth sharing. Or anything that you found new or memorable.

If you know any bloggers/ students abroad (preferably those who have gone in the last year), please send me their URLs or mail IDs so I can contact them.

This is for an education magazine that I had to submit yesterday! If you have anything to share, write to me at anitabora at vsnl dot net. And fast!