Sunday 7th January, 2013.

Greetings from Mumbai!!!

Our journey from home to the airport, as was our flight on the A380 to Singapore,
uneventful. If one must have a stop-over Singapore is just the place.  The
orchid displays are breathtaking.

We continued on across the Strait of Malacca, the Nicobar Islands and the Bay of Bengal
into Mumbai, slightly ahead of time in approximately 41/2 hrs.  We were through Immigration
and Customs in a flash and at The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in an hour.  As it was Sunday
traffic was very light and the new bridge, which has cut 45 mins. off the journey time,
all helped.

The weather is perfect for sightseeing 23*c.  It is quite smoggy.

I must say that the improvements in the roads and highways, the lack of litter
and cleanliness is most noticeable and quite incredible.  The slum dwellings and
the poverty is still very evident and although there are improvements it is very
horrible to look at and walk through.

Our room is large and bright and overlooks the Gate of Mumbai and the Indian
Ocean.  It is a long time now since the British left.

At 5.00 p.m. we had an extensive and very enjoyable talk about and tour  around
the Hotel.  Our guide reminded me very much of the young man in "Marigold Hotel"
who was so enthusiastic about rejuvenating and make his hotel once again the place
to stay. I think he was hoping a talent scout would  notice him and whisk him off
for a film audition.

Renovations and repairs as a result of the fire have all been completed perfectly.
All the furniture and fittings, especially the floral arrangements, are superb.

As this is the wedding season the hotel was busy and the rooms set up for the
reception were exquisite.

Moira, one of Caleb's business associates has been moved here from Singapore
so as we were waiting for her to collect us I was greatly entertained and had
much to admire as I watched the wedding guests arrive.  The woman folk
were in their most colourful finery and dripping in gold and jewels.

The traffic here is horrendous and the horn tooting is never-ending.

The one complaint is the air-conditioning which is so cold I have to wear
my jumper.

                                         Singapore

                          This handsome fellow is the founder and once owner of this
                           grand and fabulous hotel.

                      Just one of the rooms set up for a reception.

                                                 Singapore

                  Please note one of the many exquisite floral arrangements at the
                  bottom of this magnificent staircase.

               This handsome fellow is everywhere and watching everything.

                       The domed ceiling and staircase which has been faithfully restored.

                   This scene is just outside our hotel and the beggars and poor, dirty
                    hungry and neglected people is not a good sight.

Everything about this hotel is "spot-on" and we will be sorry to leave.  It is just
so lovely to be in.


Cheers for now,


Vivienne.