MISCELLANEOUS, Mumbai

Favorite thing: N/A

Tipping is fairly common in India with the exception of rickshaw drivers or taxi drivers, unless you hire them for the day (although a few rupees or rounding up the fare is always appreciated). These amounts are meant as a guideline. Tip ONLY in rupees, not any other currency. Check to see if a service charge has already been added to any bill.

Waiters - generally 10-15 percent of the bill in upscale places, in smaller places (local/budget) tip Rs. 10-20.

Bellmen - Rs. 50 - 100 (depending on how much luggage).

Hotel Doorman - Rs. 50-100 when you checkout.

Hotel Maid - Rs. 100-200 for your stay (5+ days). Be sure to hand deliver.

Room Service - Rs. 20-50. (20 for smaller things, 50 for meal delivery).

Drivers/ Guides - half day/ Full day sightseeing trips Rs. 150 - 250.

Drivers/ Guides - long trips spread over many days Rs. 150 - 200 Per traveller/ day.

Porters (train stations/airports) - set the rate beforehand (around Rs. 10-20 per bag).

Favorite thing: Hi Guy,

Just back from Mumbai it was a great place to explore. When I got off the Domestic flight from Goa I was told that there was a place to store the luggage at the airport. I didn't need it in the end as I hired a tour guide and a driver for the whole day. I don't know how long this place does store the luggage but the facility is definitely available.
Good luck
Vicki

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Favorite thing: The movie captures life and locales of Mumbai- both in the shanties of Dharavi and in the homes of the rich. The music of the movie, which is the toast of the Oscar, captures the diversity of musical genres of the country

JAY HO! COUNTRY ON CLOUD 9 AS " SLUMDOG" SWEEPS 8 OSCARS

Favorite thing: If you enjoy reading and like to read novels set in, and about your, destination you have a great wealth of literature from which to choose.

Among my favourite novels set in Mumbai are three by Rohinton Mistry
A Parsi, born in Mumbai in 1952, he emigtrared to Toronto,Canada in 1975..

I read his novels -

Such a Long Journey
and
A Fine Balance
before I went to Mumbai.

Later I read
Family Matters

Then read all of them again.

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Favorite thing: One must see the local trains during peak hours of the working day. How commuters travel in the local trains is just an amazing thing to watch in Mumbai. This will show the general publics' unity and equality to travel together.

Fondest memory: Mumbai is my Birth Town

Favorite thing: It may sound stupid, however it is very difficult to cross the crowded streets of Mumbai. Pedestrian crossings are not found at regular places. You can see many people just crossing at any any place and might even be very dangerous to do so. The best is if you could find one of the subways to get to the other side of the road. It was curious to see this subway crossing with timings and more curious to find people sitting at the upper part, probably enjoying the good climate.

Favorite thing: On this site you can locate ATM at airports and in towns when you travel, please check out this web site I include for location close to where you travel.

http://www.mastercard.com/us/personal/en/cardholderservices/atmlocations/index.html

( you will have to copy and paste the link)

Favorite thing: Watching it fade into the distance as the plane takes off

Fondest memory: I cant decide between the 4 crashes I was in within my 3 week stay, or being swamped by crying beggar children whilst trying to buy some chewing gum. The roads were awful, driving a nightmare, cars were relics, courtesy a dirty word. Danger around every corner. People trying to trick you, or plotting to trick you, or soliciting with people who want to swindle you. Pollution here will shorten your life. PLEASE,PLEASE dont bring children here.....for these reasons.This place has problems, imagine living in a place where wealth walks the same pavement as poverty, its everyman for themselves and if you get in the way of that, woe betide you.