Mumbai - Cafe Mondegar

Mondy's, that's what it is popularly known as...
:) Located near Regal Cinema, Colaba Causeway, Mumbai
:) Just a few metres away from the Gateway of India.

:) Ideal for some beer and snacks.
:( What? You walked the entire stretch and you didn't spot it? Hmmm, there's a lot of hustle and bustle around the place and hence you may have missed it. And it gets a little hidden too. So, if you are new to the city you may have to be a little alert.
:) The walls of this landmark cafe deserves some attention too. The Mario Miranda illustrated walls bring out the essence of Mumbai - the spirit of the city.

:) Another highlight is the jukebox kept in the corner. I don't know if it still works, but I remember that it had a great assortment of wonderful songs from different genres.
:) Once you are inside the cafe, you can also try Innside, yes, another restaurant within Mondy's, less crowded and less louder.

Though, sometimes I do feel that Mondy's is a little over-hyped :D 

Kerala - Fort Kochi

    The streets of Fort Kochi were never unfamiliar to me. Though I hadn't visited the place, there was a strange connect that I experienced. A connect that I share with Dehradun too. The latter one, thanks to the several poems, essays and stories of Ruskin Bond and the former one, thanks to my father-in-law, who was so insanely in love with the place. 

    It's quite a strange thing. Throughout my life, inspite of the several visits to Kerala, I had never managed to visit Fort Kochi even once. The reason being the annual visits to relatives' houses which by itself was so time consuming and fun that we never managed to steal time to visit places. And I'm ashamed to confess that finally at the ripe age of thirty, my eyes were ready to take in the sights in and around Fort Kochi.

    And while I stood there gazing at the myriad, beautiful lanes adorned by little houses on either sides I realized why Fort Kochi was a favorite with Papa. If the place could evoke a sense of nostalgia for a first timer like me, it had to be an overwhelming feeling for him.

    He knows every nook and corner of Fort Kochi. Every restaurant, every hotel, every street. Mention the names and he has stories to tell.  

    I happened to spend three days in and around Fort Kochi. There was something magical about the place. Perhaps it was the I-don't-care attitude of people, or maybe the food, or the churches, or the quaint shops, or the by lanes that tempted you to take long walks... 

    





































All you need to do here is to wander, sometimes glancing at the beauty of the heritage structures, the houses, the colourful lanes, the busy spice markets, the antique stores, the cafes, the signages...

...the Chinese fishing nets

Another attraction here is the local market from where you can buy fish and get it cooked at the make-shift shops across the street.

Fort Kochi is full of life. Tourists, shopkeepers trying to attract customers, residents, food courts, cafes all add to the life of this place. A very cosmopolitan culture. 

Well, an ideal place for the one with the nomadic gene...just keep on wandering. I am sure I am going back to this lively and lovely place, SOON!