Backpacking Mumbai

Backpacking Mumbai: The port city that never sleeps

Mumbai, or as many still know by its former name “Bombay,” is a city that I, mr.hotsia, have experienced and must say that the life and diversity here are unlike any other city in India. Mumbai is located on the Arabian Sea coast, along a long shoreline surrounded by mountains covered with tropical moist and deciduous forests. I walked through various neighborhoods of this city and found that Mumbai is not just an ordinary port city but a city full of fascinating historical stories, lifestyles, and diverse cultures.

The name “Bombay” has various origins. Some legends say it comes from the local goddess “Mumbadevi,” a Hindu deity worshipped by the locals, while some sources say the name comes from the Portuguese phrase “Bom Bahia,” meaning “Good Bay,” reflecting Mumbai’s importance as a major port city on the Arabian Sea. When I arrived, I saw the image of seven small islands connected to form a large city, and the northern Salsette Island, which has been inhabited since ancient times.

Wandering through Mumbai from mr.hotsia’s perspective

Traveling in Mumbai is quite challenging for a traveler like me because the city is large and densely populated. But what made me fall in love was the vibrancy of the people here. The street markets are filled with bargaining voices, the scent of spices, and the sounds of traffic blending into the city’s soundtrack. Mumbai is not just a prosperous economic city; it is a city full of stories of people from diverse ethnicities, religions, and cultures.

My favorite spot was walking around Colaba, an old district full of British colonial architecture. I experienced the local way of life and felt like I was stepping back to the era when this city was ruled by the Portuguese and British. There was also a market full of souvenirs and rare antiques I had never seen anywhere else.

History and Mumbai’s role that I never knew before

Who would believe that this city was once part of the dowry from King Charles II of England in his marriage to Princess Catherine of Portugal in 1661, and later the British East India Company leased this island in 1654. I read and heard these stories from locals I met during my travels, which made me realize that Mumbai is not just a city that grew economically but also a starting point for political and social changes in India.

During my stay in this city, I visited the University of Bombay, the second university in India, which was also the venue for the first meeting of the Indian National Congress in 1885. It is clear that Mumbai played an important role in India’s independence movement.

Street food and flavors I found in Mumbai

Mumbai has a wide variety of exciting street food. I, mr.hotsia, must say that tasting street food here was an unforgettable experience, includingPani PuriCrispy round balls with a spicy flavor, orVada PavA Mumbai-style sandwich with a strange name but addictive taste. I walked through markets and small streets filled with local food stalls, seeing people of various ethnicities and ages happily eating together.

For those interested in modern and technical Indian cuisine, I recommend linking this with my previous experience written inBackpacking Bangalore (Bengaluru)which is India’s technology city, where I tasted authentic chicken biryani and Indian fried chicken, providing a comparative view of flavors and lifestyles in different cities.

Travel and convenience in Mumbai

I arrived in Mumbai by plane and used the local train system, which is the heart of transportation in this city. The trains in Mumbai are packed with passengers. This experience reminded me of traveling in Chennai, a city I have visited before,Backpacking Chennai, India (Chennai)which also has a smooth and convenient public transportation system.

But in Mumbai, the chaos and rush on the local trains are what I felt as the real life of the people here. It is a scene unlike the spacious cities I have visited before, making me feel that life and this city blend seamlessly.

Summary of mr.hotsia’s impressions of Mumbai

For me, Mumbai is a city full of diversity, contradictions, and beauty in itself—in terms of history, lifestyle, and cuisine. It is not a city for those who want a comfortable trip but a city that challenges us to learn and experience the true life of India in a unique version.

If anyone is interested in deep stories and travel experiences in India, I recommend readingTraveling Nam Chior watching my Indian food eating videos that I have made inEating Indian Fried Chicken and Authentic Chicken Biryani in Bangaloreto see the diverse life and flavors of India from different perspectives.

For me, mr.hotsia, Mumbai is a city you must walk yourself to truly understand its sincerity. Once you come, you will know that “this city really never sleeps.”