The Eminence of Self-Driving in Mumbai

Mumbai, a City of Dreams!! The Financial Capital of India!! Isn’t that what this city is known by? Famous for the beautiful marine drive and the marvelous Gateway of India, the city has something in its air that just makes some explorers like me to come pouring in there. From architectural marvels to some famous beaches, Mumbai has it all for travellers. Being amongst the top travel cities in India, it wouldn’t surprise any of us if Mumbai tops the list of travel cities in India. For me personally, visiting this city was an experience that makes me want to go there again.

That Epic Beginning of the Journey…   

So where to begin from? Taking a flight from Delhi and landing in Mumbai turned out to be a little different for me. It didn’t take me long to figure out the high travelling prices in this city. The taxis meters are devils ready to take it all away from you. So here’s a thing, for an approximate travel distance for a cab/taxi for 44kms in Mumbai will cost you around INR 968, which is a tat higher than the rest of the cities in India. Now getting out of the airport, I had to hire a cab for a 50 kilometers distance to my hotel which priced me a considerable amount. Quiet a hassle too, taking a cab and getting somewhere in Mumbai. Although it seems very convenient when you sit around at the backseat and enjoy the views of this city but honestly, not everyone can spend so much on a daily basis when in Mumbai unless you’re some rich brat with a lot of money to spare right?

Getting to know about self-drives…

So I came across this nice cab driver on my way to a friend’s place who cared enough about the expenses and told me about something like self-drive cars in Mumbai to save me from those extra expenses. Surfing on the net, I came across a self-drive rental and thought about giving it a go. The price is pretty reasonable when you compare it to a local cab hire. So I got the car for a two day round off, got it delivered at the hotel which is convenient. And honestly, why would you go for such a service if you have to pick up the car from a different location and to get to that location you have to get there first by spending more bucks? So considering the scenario, it was convenient.

Worth it…

Driving around the beautiful marine drive and exploring places at my own will, who doesn’t like that? And with a free road side assistance, it was a comfortable experience moving about in the city. Although the car wasn’t as up to the mark as I expected it to be, but it was certainly in a way better condition that the rest of the cabs and taxis that you come across in this city. So here’s a thing to note, self-drives cars are easy to book, less costly and worth trying in a city like Mumbai where you might want to get around some other untouched places as well. Doing that isn’t possible with taxis and even if you make it happen, well you probably will a tough time dealing with the behavior pf the taxi drivers and the cost would bear upon you.

So step worrying about the worthiness of the self-drive rentals in a city like Mumbai. Give it a try and enjoy the Beautiful an economical experience of moving about the famous financial capital of India.   

Why Driving in India is a Challenge I Like to Take

A few things about India are so delightful that they keep pulling me back. Even though I am an Indian, I feel like a foreigner whenever I travel to some other corner of the country. That is why; every day of the vacation becomes an adventurous one, no matter where I am. However, driving on the Indian roads is something that keeps me on my toes every moment. I cannot afford to blink my eyes even for a second because of the challenges looming forever on the roads. As they say, you must not use a mobile phone while driving as it can be dangerous; it can be fatal in India. If you are not vigilant enough, it will take just a second to lose your life. Thankfully, I have never been involved in any serious injury, but a few minor accidents have taught me the value of keeping a watchful eye each second on the road.

The users of the road

I had always heard that the roads in Singapore speak volumes about cleanliness, and it is true. I have been to Singapore and they have impeccably clean roads. You may invite a huge fine if you break the traffic rules. On the other hand, we have barely any traffic rules; we don’t follow them even if we have. The roads in India are meant for everyone without any specific lanes for heavy and light vehicles.

It is a common sight to find cars, auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, manual rickshaws, buses in all sizes, and trucks on just one road. No one is bothered to follow the lanes and hence, we have the great Indian traffic jam. To worsen the situation, we have cattle on the road along with dogs, cats, elephants, and horses. Yes, the generous Indian public never minds the animals on the roads. In fact, we try to save the animals whenever they cross the road even if it means losing a human life. This is not something to be proud of, yet, I cannot help it but manage with the situation.

Driving sense

It is again a sorry fact to admit but Indians have poor traffic sense. It is fun for them to jump the traffic lights, cross the road with oncoming vehicles, cause obstructions by changing lanes without notice, and abuse others if they overtake. In a country where everything can be done with bribe, most people get their licenses made without even giving a driving test. They learn driving just when they come on the road with their car or bike and a family member or a friend to teach them. It implies that people do not prefer to learn from the driving instructors, but from already underqualified drivers. Hence, the outcome is unqualified drivers who would do anything to get their way on the road.

It is a serious task to reach your destination safely, but by the virtue of being an Indian, I have got used to driving in India. In fact, I love the challenge. I like to book Self Driven Car in Mumbai and drive when the roads are relatively empty at night; it is the best time of the day.

How I Realized Not to Ride an Elephant Anywhere in the World

Asia is a famous part of the world where the elephants are a common sight. Whether it is India, Thailand, or Sri Lanka, one can easily spot an elephant and take a ride on its back for fun and frolic. Whenever I would see an elephant earlier, I would ask my friends to join me for a fun trip. However, it was not too late when I realized that I should not do it. I still remember my first giant ride in Delhi when I was there with a friend who had come from Mumbai. It was around eight at night when I was there in Connaught Place, and we spotted an elephant with its mahout, the master of the animal. The man seemed to have a good reputation with the giant being, and as soon as he gestured, the elephant bowed to its front knees to let us sit on it.  

Our joy could see no bounds when we realized that we were going to ride an elephant in reality. The mahout let us sit on the square seat that he had created on the back of his tamed creature. As soon as the elephant got up, we had to grip the bars of the seating tightly to avoid falling from the top of a huge animal that we had even touched for the first time. Just in the flash of a second, I could imagine myself being trampled under the foot of the elephant if he got angry. Nevertheless, it was too much to think of when all we had to do was to hold the iron bars tightly. 

As soon as the elephant started moving, we started enjoying the bumpy ride. Although the mahout charged us a hefty amount for a two hundred-meter ride, we did enjoy the trip to the best. We wanted to be there on the back of the elephant for at least a few more minutes, but before we realized, the journey got over. We got the pictures clicked with the adorable living thing, and went ahead to have the dinner with our hearts full of joy. At several other instances, including ones in Mumbai, Ludhiana, and Kerala, I took the pleasure of elephant rides. However, it was when I was there in Mumbai when the realization dawned on me that I was indulging in a cruel act for my sake of fun.

I was there with the same friend in Mumbai who had come to my city, Delhi when we first enjoyed the ride. We had taken a Car Rental Mumbai to explore her city of dreams. While having a great time around the grand town, we spotted an elephant again. As soon as we saw the animal, we giggled and immediately decided to ride it once more and relive our memories of Delhi. We took the trip on the animal as we had resolved, but as soon as we were about to leave the place, we noticed something that changed our perception towards animals forever.  

The mahout of the animal was poking sharp iron rode on its leg when the elephant refused to obey his orders. Maybe the elephant was sick and tired for the night, but his master was not ready to let go of his earning for the day. He wanted to get more out of the elephant, but the beast was adamant not to give in. After the mahout tortured it for a couple of times more, he had no choice but to agree. It was a terrible sight to see, and I could see it in the eyes of the elephant that he would never forget a human being for treating him like this. I recalled my so-called learnings of school when I had gained the knowledge that the lions, rabbits, and elephants are tormented to entertain the humans. I immediately decided not to indulge in this heinous act of riding an elephant again in my life, and so did my friend.