When my bestie said “Let’s plan for a heritage tour open bus ride. It starts from Churchgate. I will book the evening first slot, let’s meet at Churchgate station” I nodded, allowing excitement blend with expectations develop in me. So from Andheri catching a local train, along with another bestie we headed to Churchgate. Being a fast train, hardly 25mts we were out of the train. Waiting for the other besties to join, let me share a few details about Churchgate station.
Churchgate station is the last station and entry point to South Mumbai Via train. There are totally four platforms where every 10 or 15mts once trains come and leave. Filled with lot of eateries, you shouldn’t miss dosa, cheese spicy sandwich, kadak chai and amul milk shakes. As you come out of the station don’t miss viewing the buildings around. They have British architecture that after sunset, each building is colorfully lit arising you the question, “Was this the building, I saw in day light?”
From this station you could either walk for 20mts towards Chatrapathi Shivahi Maharaj Vastu Sanghrahalaya or catch taxi or cab from this station side, else cross the road and catch the cab from opposite side. You wont be dropped exactly in front of the museum for there is a right signal paving way for exit. Either you would be dropped few yards before or few yards away or on the opposite side of the museum.
The pick up point is exactly on the exit gate of the museum facing - The Indian Navy circle. You would find a navy ship, a fountain opposite and museum facing them. If you are confused you could enquire with the traffic police in that area, else click on your Google map walking icon, making your arrival easy to the point.
Once you arrive see that you show your tickets in the counter, near the museum and get confirmed seats with numbers. Since booking is done through Book my show app, using QR code your ticket confirmation is done along with allocation of seat number. You might find confusion in seating but the bus conductor solves it by checking and rechecking. In fact he checked our tickets thrice. Hereon starts your journey.
Before that let me share about the open bus. A double decker, with open top, that railings are provided to hold and sit. The name of the bus is Nilambari open deck. Bottom part of the bus is the same as a normal bus, while top portion of the bus is designed. There are variety colors of this bus, red, brick red, light green and light blue. We rode on light blue bus. Though booking shows 6.30pm and 8.30pm, still there is a bus that starts at 5pm wher you get to witness sunset. The bus is decorated with drawings of historical places of Mumbai on all sides.
Finally hearing to the start of the bus, first move made us all scream “Yahoo the bus is moving finally”. Turning right of the museum signal towards Gateway of India crossing Taj hotel, we tried to click selfie with the hotel passing by. Then crossing via Colaba first building that comes to your eye view is Mantralaya also known as Sachivalaya, the secretariat headquarter of Mumbai.
From this signal starts Marine drive coastline. Seeing the dark empty ocean, from top was something. As the bus crosses the whole lane you get to spot the necklace road chain, starts from one end and completes with view of the buildings on the other side. This view is the most beautiful view to encounter, after dark crossing array of signals, hugging your arms around you, trying to protect yourself from cold winds blowing from the sea, just sitting and watching the sea go past you is truly awesome.
Here one thing you should remember, signal holdings, branches, leaves, low laid bridges almost cross your head, at an inch gap. As the bus moves faster so do these cross over your head, in a jiffy. If you know what is coming over your head then you are safe, else there is every chance of getting hurt, for some branches pop up suddenly. However there is one such signal where the bus stops and a branch stupes over you, giving you access to click pics.
From here the same road proceeded towards Chowpatty beach that I couldn’t miss the view of eatery shops. Here again chill air takes over, making you feel the coolest air. From chowpatty signal the bus turns towards Colaba side the opposite side of the way we came. Only difference it gets into Colaba and Churchgate lane.
From here you get to view must iconic historic spots of Mumbai. Starting with Oval maidan where yesterday India vs Srilanka match was happening, we moved towards clock tower, asiatic library, horniman circle, Bombay highcourt, Navy dockyard and gets into churchgate side. Moving over high rise buildings, statues, art gallery, Churchgate shopping area we reached the starting point where our bus halted.
Not wanting to get down, but you had to leave, though my heart was heavy and I was tempted to try another ride, some kind of rejuvanation got into me as I stepped out of the bus. The whole ride I would title as “Blend of culture, historic and important places to visit in Mumbai”. Viewing each building, standing majestically, colorful made my heart leap and shout “wow”. I could trace thoutline along with its lovely architecture. The lights were subtle, colourful but not jazzy, which portrayed the beauty of each spot.
Clicking enough pics, selfies we walked back to the station to reach home. Before I complete the article here are a few details and tips to ride on this bus.
- Per head cost ranges between Rs.180 to Rs.200.
-Try to get corner seat, if at all you got the aisle no worries stand up and view.
-As the bus goes fast, if you are sitting hold the railings, if you are standing hold the seat rods.
-Arrive 15mts prior to the bus stop and don’t forget to show your ticket in the counter and get confirmed seat number.
-Buy chips, biscuits in hand, for till entering marine drive there is lot of traffic and journey might extend 20mts more.
-While standing and clicking photos hold your phone tightly, for as the bus speeds, things fly around you and there is every chance of you to drop your phone.
-Last but not the least, don’t forget to look down from the top of the bus, here things look very different from top view. As, you look up, the buildings view appear like they are scrapping the sky and looking ahead you get to view the city roads plus lighting’s. At the same time watch out for branches which might hurt you.
One of the must ride bus of Mumbai which starts from Churchgate and ends in Churchgate.
