Vacation with my sister has always been a call for adventure, thankfully without mishaps. Having recently quit my job, and taking advantage of my sister’s annual leave from work, we embarked on a short, one week trip around our 2 favorite places in India: Mumbai and Goa. The experience was momentous, and we covered several locations accomplishing thus, a most satisfying itenary. Some of the most poignant moments (including food ofcourse!) have been captured and put up for recommendation:
7 Kitchens, Palladium Hotel: Lunch Buffet
The sole deciding factor between buffet versus a la carte menu, was my appraisal of the ostensible desserts. 7 Kitchens is a renowned fine dining restaurant of the luxurious Palladium Hotel, situated at Worli, adjacent to Phoenix Mall at Lower Parel. The sophistication of the town, and the grand view of the skyline from the Worli Sea Link Bridge is what makes this trip worthwhile. We were greeted by an unprecedented wet spell that day, making our entrance a little less ostentatious than planned, (not that we were celebrities of any sort, but I believe that good hotels deserve a classy walk-in), nevertheless the intricate works and interiors were finely detailed, polished with much assiduity, and elegance. Atleast we had a plausible excuse to use the tersely polished marble bathrooms before settling for lunch. The buffet won hands down, after I observed their dedicated counter for pastries and my two favorites: Opera and Tiramisu.
Lake View Cafe, Renaissance Hotel:
It was our lazy day, and so we missed brunch! While we entered the restaurant, the staff were carting away the tables and cloches and I managed to see what I had missed, regretfully. Had we made it for the brunch on time, I’m sure we would have enjoyed a most formidable spread. It was almost sunset, so we enjoyed a pasta dish each, followed by coffee. The place is highly recommended for its serene views of the Powai Lake, lawn and surroundings.
Cidade De Goa Hotel:
Moving over to Goa, I would always recommend the stay at this fabulous hotel that has been my holiday destination for over a decade. It feels like I grew up here, as it has been the place of many family reunions, occasions and celebrations. Like us, there are plenty of Indian expats who are regular guests at the unchangeable hotel. If you manage to reserve during the peak season (we were informed that we had arrived during the wedding season), the costs could be exaggeratedly high, but you get to enjoy several aspects and locales of the hotel, which otherwise remain closed during the reasonably-priced monsoons. Sapiently, I would recommend you take time to discern how to enjoy your trip here. The entire five star resort is located by the beach, facing the shores of Donna Paula (a famous monumental town), with its water sports and beach activities for guests. Several restaurants, catering halls and cafes, indoor and outdoor are widely dispersed throughout the structure. The service is brilliant, and most satisfactory. Very accommodating staff, so to speak that gave us attention to every detail from our check in, special food orders, spa treatments and transport. The entire hotel was active with weddings, corporate conferences and live entertainments, etc. We never had a single prosaic moment during our stay here, and I know I never will have, hopefully for years to come.
Mumbai International Terminal 2:
The most raved about terminal had just opened doors to us as we arrived in Mumbai, so a week later the place still smelled of fresh paint. A lot of effort, innovation and creative designs and construction by international designers and private investors have contributed to the florid look of Terminal 2 or T2 as it has been named. For all those who were otherwise used to the dingy predecessor, this sight will surely shake your inhibitions. The change is refreshing, remarkable, while several fine dining options as well as fast food courts have made their establishments. I wish I had more time for a fulfilling exploration of the area, and its many dining options, but we were stifled for time, and made it few minutes before boarding. The airport signboards clearly restrict everyone from photography, yet some obstinate few could not control their urge for selfies.
Middleastexpat 