Trip to Elephanta Island #7 : The Way Up - Shopping, Adventure & Surprises

Before the steps that lead up to the caves, there are a few stalls having some exquisite pieces of jewellery, art, souvenirs and some also have memory cards, camera batteries and stuff that tourists might need. 
I simply loved these necklaces.

While you are shopping or looking around, Beware!!!
You're being watched.
By notorious nasty hungry monkeys. They are looking for food and could grab your handbag if they suspect or see some food in it.

And by goats and cows too.
Who want a bite of your freshly roasted sweet corn, and will walk behind you till you finish it and throw the cob away.

This hungry goat wanted the corn, and was chasing the lady all the way up. She finally turned around and tried to shoo it away.

The climb up may be tiring for some, and you may want to stop and sit for a while on the rocky walls of the steps. Another option is the ride up on the 'palkhi' for a few hundred rupees - the blue seat you can see here. Once you are seated, it is carried by 4 men and within minutes, you are at the top. We saw a few senior citizens being carried on the palkhi very comfortably.

Blue tarpaulin sheets cover the whole place to protect you from the scorching sun, and get you into the mood of shopping.
There are interesting stalls on both sides and you can buy if you wish on your way up, or leave it for later.

You can also grab a cold drink or a freshly prepared vadapav from one of the stalls on the side, if you are planning lunch after visiting the caves.

Monday Shopping & Markets : Sunglasses at Irla Market

These sunglasses are on display outside a shop in Irla market in Vile Parle ( Western Suburb of Mumbai), which is a cool shopping destination for all, and very busy especially on Sundays. You can shop for cool garments, electronic gadgets, mobiles, accessories and lots more.

The Alfa chain of stores in this market is very popular for all your shopping needs, with the best quality and price guaranteed.

ABC Wednesday - 'B' for Baker's Haven

'Heeramani Packaging' in Vashi is a Baker's Haven for home bakers in Navi  Mumbai. Whether you are a beginner or expert in baking, you will get all that you may be looking for making your cakes and chocolates.

From baking pans, tins and cupcake pans in aluminium, non-stick steel and silicone, cupcake liners, cookie cutters, chocolate moulds and wrappers, cake decoration supplies like fondant tools, piping nozzles and bags, whisks and mats, cookie cutters, cake stand and weighing scales, cooling racks, measuring spoons and cups, fancy packaging for cakes, cupcake and chocolates and more......., 

Also edibles like chocolate slabs, chocolate chips, unsweetened cocoa powder, essences, sprinklers, heavy cream....

I started baking a year back and have got all my supplies from here. I didn't even know the names of equipment properly, and didnt have a proper list of the essentials. I was properly guided here and got my beginner's essentials and there's no looking back since then.

The highlights are that you get 'All Under One Roof' with prompt and friendly service. Here's a product list I grabbed from their Facebook page for the benefit of bakers who are looking for resources in Navi Mumbai.

This is my entry for ABC Wednesday -  B for 'Baker's Haven'
For more B's from around the world, click below :

Monday Shopping & Markets : Footwear

Footwear at Andheri

This is a footwear shop outside Andheri station, selling a variety of popular daily footwear for women. Nowadays, most ladies seems to have atleast half a dozen sandals and shoes, matching with the outfits and bags. So, even with a wear life of about 3 to 6 months, and priced at a couple of hundred rupees, they are very popular.

The best destination for footwear shopping from small shops on the road (which is popularly called Rasta shopping - means shopping on road) is Linking Road in Bandra. 

Monday Shopping and Markets : Sale Sale Sale

Come January, and almost every single store in Inorbit Mall has a huge discount sale. Many of them are worth checking out like Westside, Landmark Books & Toys, Shoppers Stop to name a few.

The mannequin with the pretty white handstitched dress with red roses is quite an attraction and lures us to the Shoppers Stop 51% Sale.

Monday Shopping and Markets : Indian Dresses at Nadco Market

Bandra is my favourite place for most of my shopping needs but some select shops in Nacdo Market at Andheri do have a good collection of Indian and western wear. But then why here, if you are in Andheri, just visit Shopper's Stop at Andheri for the local and international brands of the latest in clothing, footwear, accessories like purses and handbags, amd fashion jewellery and make up too.

Our World Tuesday # 15 Florista at Inorbit Mall

Florista is a floral designing boutique at Inorbit Mall Vashi. 
They also provide customised bouquets and floral arrangements combining varied flowers, vases and accessories to go with the arrangement. I love the cute teddy bears that are available here to add on with the flowers. 

Monday Shopping and Markets : Hill Road

Jewellery shopping at Hill Road, which is one of the best places for street shopping in Bandra.

ABC Wednesday - 'X' for Xmas

Painting Santa Claus at a showroom entrance for 'Xmas' time.
Merry Christmas to all Mumbai Virtual Tourists and all participants of ABC Wednesday 'X' for

For great photos of ABC Wednesday around the world, click below:

Monday Shopping and Markets : Christmas Shopping

Its Christmas season, and whether you visit markets in Andheri, Bandra or the wholesale markets in Vashi, you will see all stalls selling Christmas decorations and accesories like this one.

Monday Shopping and Markets : Nadco Shopping Centre in Andheri

The Nadco Shopping Centre in Andheri West near the railway station is a one stop destination for fashion accessories, purses and handbags, exclusive jewellery, art and craft shops, readymade garments, sarees, dupattas, nightwear and loungewear, footwear, books, stationery and bags, toys, mobile phones...the list is endless.

What you see is just a row of shops on both sides of the passage. There is a big market at the end of this passage. The prices are pocket friendly and the merchandise is usually trendy.

Dont forget to try yummy snacks and farsan at Trupti snack shop in the shopping centre

A must check out when you are visiting Andheri suburb of Mumbai.

My World #8

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THE INDIAN SAREE

Saturday Photohunters Theme: WIDE

WIDE VARIETY OF SHOES, BAGS, BELTS & ACCESSORIES ON LINKING ROAD

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If you are out shopping in Bandra, you can't miss Linking Road with it's rows of street stalls of shoes, handbags and brightly colored garments too. Here, you see a fusion of modern and traditional wear.

The street stalls are grouped together according to the type of goods they sell. There are traditional clothes in a row, followed by shoes, then bags and belts and then, many shops with branded wear and accessories. There is an amazingly wide variety and style to choose from. So shop to your heart's content.

Remember the Golden Rule: Bargain hard and offer to pay about half the asking price. If you manage to show indifference about your desire for the product and start walking away, there will be an immediate fall in the asking price.

Monochrome Monday #13

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A street scene in Juhu Lane, commonly known as Juhu Galli (which links Andheri with Juhu Scheme - serves as a shortcut). There are more than 20-25 wrought iron furniture shops here, and one can strike a great bargain and get some amazing furniture designs here.

Saturday Photohunters Theme: METAL

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COLORFUL METAL BANGLES AT NADCO SHOPPING CENTRE, ANDHERI

Weekend Snapshot: Food Bazaar

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This is Food Bazaar store at Infiniti mall which I visited last weekend. We often visit Food Bazaar for groceries, fruits and vegetables. With soaring prices of fruits and vegetables in the city, the store sells them at wholesale prices. Shopping for a week's supply gives a saving of atleast a hundred rupees.

This weekend, there is nothing special to do, except sorting and cleaning the home, as we celebrate Diwali festival next month. All my photos are unsorted, so I spend this Sunday water-marking my photos and sorting them for different memes of the week.

Have a great weekend.

Window Shopping

Saree on display at Jashn, Juhu

Kid's Shopping

Kid's shopping is something you can't miss on Linking Road. Take a look at those garments. You can get a good outfit even party wear for as low as Rs.150 to Rs. 500.



Some of these shops have fixed prices as they are sure you won't get their stuff at the same price anywhere.

Shopping At Linking Road

Linking Road at Bandra is a shopping haven for many Mumbaiites and tourists alike. Handbags, shoes, readymades, fabrics, furnishings and home linen, food, name it and here is the place to be. Stylish handbags to suit different tastes are available here. I buy my handbags here or branded ones, usually Jane Shilton from Shopper's Stop.
It is usually crowded a you see in this photo. Bargaining is a must for a good price though some shops have fixed prices.

Jewellery At Nadco

Nadco Shopping Centre is a very popular shopping place at Andheri station. All you see here is fresh stock and the latest jewellery for the festive season.



After Raksha Bandhan comes Ganpati festival, followed by Navratri and then Dassera and Diwali will not be far away.