My path led past the “cricket-bat slum”; it seemed slums specialised in specific trades.
If one needed a bat, this was the place. You could even get it personalised or
decorated by your favourite cricketer. Later, a chemist provided nausea and diarrhoea
medication. Never knock the drug companies. They make wonderful stuff at a pittance
and after handing over INR65, I felt considerably better.
Not feeling too energetic, I grabbed a Coke and a Red Bull. A concoction that made
me fly toward Mumbai, only stopping once before reaching Manor. Mumbai was
roughly 110 kilometres away, making Manor a perfect overnight stop.
Manor – Mumbai - 115 km
The time was shortly past nine o'clock before getting away. The day started promising
until roughly 50 kilometres outside Mumbai city centre. The traffic was hectic, and I
truly feared for my life. The only thing one could do was go with the flow as best as
possible.
Once in the city, I headed to Colaba, the old part of the town famous among
backpackers. The touts drove me crazy, insisting I follow them. Of course, it’s their
job, but still it irritated me, as I was tired after a stressful day in Mumbai’s heavy
traffic.
Uncovering Bentley’s Hotel was by chance and, surprisingly, where I had stayed five
years prior. Lo and behold, would the guy at reception not ask: “Have you not stayed
here before?” Surely, he must say that to everyone, as I considered it impossible he
could remember me. In any event, a spot in one of their other buildings was even
cheaper, plus the room was massive and on the ground floor where one could easily
wheel the bike right in.