I stopped briefly in Mumbai during my second trip to India, but due to food poisoning I did not get to experience the city to the fullest. I vowed to come back for a proper adventure.

New Years 2019 was the perfect excuse. I had just finished studying at the Army Engineer school and was ready to return to India once more. Plus, I had friends in the area; Viraj and I had studied in grad school together. After graduation, our friendship continued. Now possessing the perfect recipe for adventure, I boarded a plane to Mumbai with plans to continue to Pune. Once Viraj picked me up at the Mumbai airport, our first stop was at Natural’s ice cream. Delicious!

The next day, we explored one of my favorite places: Juhu beach. I can never forget the taste of those fresh coconuts. As we were walking along the beach, some boys were playing cricket. Viraj asked if I wanted to play, but I felt hesitant. He then gave me a short speech along the lines of “if you don’t have this new experience, then how will you live?” It reminded me of something out of a movie called Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, where one of the characters convinces another to be more open minded to new experiences and “seize the day.” And so, I played cricket for the first time with the boys. It’s now one of my favorite memories of Mumbai.

We linked up with two of Viraj’s friends and went out to explore the nightlife. En route to South Mumbai, we came across a vast lights display. It was magical!

Despite a long night partying, I woke up early the next morning while the others slept to explore some caves within walking distance from our hotel. From there, the group continued exploring to some of the more common tourist areas like Gateway of India and Taj hotel. We also dined at a famous seafood restaurant.

We visited more of South Mumbai, where I was fascinated by the Banyan trees with their long hanging above-ground roots. Even here, the city was lit with beautiful light displays, all enhanced by the views from rooftop bars.

Viraj and I made our way to a mosque on a small island in the Haji Ali Bay. It is connected via a narrow land bridge. It was my first time ever inside of a mosque, and I was grateful for the opportunity. After the visit, we enjoyed some fresh paan and prepared for the New Years celebrations.

We attended a fancy New Year’s party at a hotel but ended up leaving early to spend some time at a more intimate house party. There, Viraj’s friends sang karaoke – much to my surprise, mostly Backstreet Boys. The following day, we began our journey to Pune.

As I look back on my time in Mumbai, I realized that it is my favorite city in the world. It has the bustle of New York, but without the cold climate. It has so many of the foods that I love, the entertainment that I crave, and it is familiar enough for a westerner to feel mostly at ease. I hope someday to work in Mumbai and spend more time becoming acquainted with it.

Click here to read about my continued adventure in Pune, India.