Gateway of India Mumbai India

Mumbai: Visiting CST and Gateway of India Early in the Morning

Date: January 15, 2025

After not traveling anywhere in 2024, I began 2025 with a trip I had been planning for months prior. When Coldplay was going to play in Bangkok in 2024, I read rumours about the British band bringing their Music of the Spheres tour to India. So I held back from spending way too much just to go see Coldplay in Bangkok.

Tickets went live on BookMyShow on September 22, and although I struggled to purchase tickets, luckily I had a friend who got one for me. As luck would have it, the tickets arrived just a few days before I had to leave for Bangalore, and so I took the train to Calicut to meet my friend and got my entry tag.

I have already published the blog post about the Coldplay concert in Navi Mumbai, so now I’m going to begin my Mumbai series with all that I saw in the few days I spent in India’s financial capital.

Past midnight, I took an Uber to Bengaluru’s Terminal 1, which is now all domestic.

Akasa Air check in BLR airport
My flight was with Akasa Air

I booked with Akasa because at the time of booking, I got a fare of ₹3591 ($42/€39) including luggage and meals — which I thought was a good deal. More importantly, the flight was supposed to depart at 8:10 AM and arrive in Mumbai at 9:50AM — which I felt would have been a perfect to start my day and check-in to my hotel. Then one month prior, I get an email from Akasa Air saying due to a schedule change, my flight time was changed to depart at 3:50 AM and arrive at 5:35 AM! Grrrh 🙄

BLR airport Terminal 1 domestic check-in
I didn’t have any check-in luggage since I crammed everything into one backpack to save time waiting for luggage

But while passing through security, I was sidelined and asked to take out an old mini mosquito bat that I was carrying. I was told that I would have to keep that in my check-in baggage because a device that can create electric shocks cannot be allowed on board. I told the guy it was old and not very strong but security wouldn’t allow it. So there, if anybody is wondering if mosquito bats are allowed in hand baggage on flights within India — the answer is no. I ‘gifted’ the security staff my old mini mosquito bat and walked to my gate.

BLR domestic airport Akasa Air boarding gate
Other than that, there were no delays and I didn’t have to take a bus to get to the airplane either
Spicejet domestic early morning flights BLR airport
I don’t think there is a single moment when BLR airport isn’t busy nowadays
Phone holder plane seat Akasa Air
This is what counts for in-flight entertainment in a budget airline these days — a phone holder and a pull-out tray to place tablets 😊
Chicken cafreal poi Akasa Air flight meal
For my meal, I pre-booked a chicken cafreal poi

Sadly it was served chilled but other than that, it tasted good. Cafreal poi is a Goan (originally Portuguese) dish — basically meat stuffed bread pockets.

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Flying over Andaman islands BKK to BLR

Leaving Bangkok, Oman Air Lounge at BKK, and flying over Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Date: January 22, 2023

I woke up earlier than usual because I had to get to the airport by 10AM for my 1PM IndiGo flight back to Bangalore.

Retro39 hotel room view Bangkok
It was time to check out of Retro39
Mochi ring banana flavoured donut Bangkok
I had bought this banana cream doughnut from the Lawson convenience store downstairs

I didn’t eat much of a breakfast as I had plans to eat at an airport lounge before my flight.

Phrom Phong area apartments
I liked the area I stayed at this time. I might come back to this side, near Phrom Phong BTS station.
Inside Toyota Corolla Cross Bangkok
I booked a Grab taxi to take me to Suvarnabhumi airport
Toyota Corolla Cross Bangkok airport
It was a Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid — a popular crossover here. I really like its simple design!
Suvarnabhumi airport departures new terminal Bangkok Thailand
My flight was with IndiGo Airlines, whose counters were at the far right end of the terminal
VAT refund counter Suvarnabhumi airport
The VAT refund counter for tourists is here — right opposite the IndiGo counters

Remember, you need to show the filled out VAT refund form from the shop you purchased the goods, show the inspector the purchased goods at the VAT refund counter, and then get the papers stamped from here before you pass through security. The actual cash refund you get in hand is from another counter after immigration and security.

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Mixt Chatuchak mall Bangkok

Thailand: Jatujak Weekend Market and Mixt Chatuchak Mall

Date: January 21, 2023

I spent yesterday roaming through Khao San Road, checked out popular toy plazas, and ended the night at Bangkok’s Chinatown.

Binggrae melon milk drink BTS edition
I bought Binggrae melon-flavoured milk the night before. It’s some BTS edition. The musk melon flavour was actually quite yum!

Everytime I visit Bangkok and it’s a weekend, I try to visit Asia’s largest street market — Chatuchak weekend market.

Mo Chit BTS station Bangkok
I took the BTS to Mo Chit station

I visited Chatuchak market for the first time during my very first visit to Thailand back in 2009. This is probably my fifth or sixth time coming here — it’s like a ritual whenever I am in Bangkok 🙂

Getting to Chatuchak weekend market Bangkok
Why?

Because this place is awesome — it has something for everyone!

Pad Thai JJ weekend market
So many food stalls selling everything from Pad Thai…
Shawarma kebab stall weekend market Bangkok
…to shawarmas. And everything in between!
Second hand book stall Jatujak weekend stall
From second-hand books…
Street musicians weekend market Bangkok
… to street musicians
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