Browse Tag

skyscrapers

Mumbai: Phoenix Palladium mall and skyscraper-gazing around Worli

By Mithun Divakaran
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Aug 14, 2025
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India, Mumbai, Travel

Date: January 16, 2025

After a tiring first day in Mumbai, where I saw Gateway of India and Elephanta Caves just a few hours after landing in Mumbai, I had a good night’s sleep and felt well-rested. I was staying at Pals Hotel in Parel.

Pals Hotel breakfast buffet Thepla Mumbai — I went downstairs to have breakfast. It’s a very basic buffet, so don’t expect too much at this hotel.

There was some poha, thepla (both Gujarati dishes), corn flakes, and tea. It was enough to get rid of hunger, that’s all.

Gutkha stain Pals Hotel Mumbai — The disgusting sight of gutkha spit stains. It’s everywhere in Mumbai — inside or out! Yes, this was by the stairs in the hotel 🤮

I went back to my room and did my work for a couple of hours. I didn’t really have anything planned to go see today so after I finished my work, I decided to head to Phoenix Palladium Mall — Mumbai’s most famous mall.

Pals Hotel Parel Mumbai — This is what Pals Hotel looks like from the outside

Mumbai Parel high rise buildings — I hailed an Uber as it only cost ₹169.91 to get there.

Just as with food, I’m shocked to see Uber cost a lot less in Mumbai than Bengaluru! I didn’t know how to get to Phoenix Palladium using public transport and the car ride only took some 20 minutes.

Old housing Mumbai Lower Parel — There are a lot of buildings like this all over Mumbai. Shops below, housing above.

Belleza store Mumbai — Some buildings make way for newer establishments

Mumbai roadside food vendor Parel — Street food is so common in Mumbai — can’t blame the locals. It’s so cheap and good.

Palladium is not Mumbai’s biggest, that would be Phoenix Marketcity in Kurla, but Palladium is the premier mall in what is considered ‘downtown Mumbai’.

Continue reading “Mumbai: Phoenix Palladium mall and skyscraper-gazing around Worli” »

Philippines: Skyscrapers of Bonifacio Global City and Manila’s First 3D Billboard

By Mithun Divakaran
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Nov 19, 2023
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Philippines, Travel

Date: 12 January 2023

After checking out Mitsukoshi, I decided to walk towards Manila’s first 3D billboard.

Apartment buildings in BGC Manila Philippines — A lot of apartment buildings opposite the Mitsukoshi building

Metrobank center BGC Manila tallest building — This skyscraper is Metrobank center – at 318 metres (1,043 ft), it’s currently the tallest building in the Philippines

I like skyscrapers and good architecture, that’s also why I wanted to just walk through Bonifacio Global City — or BGC for short.

Continue reading “Philippines: Skyscrapers of Bonifacio Global City and Manila’s First 3D Billboard” »

Tokyo Metropolitan Government building twin towers

Japan: Nishi-Shinjuku — views from Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building sky deck

By Mithun Divakaran
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Mar 08, 2016
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Japan, Travel

Date: 27th March 2015

I had a packed day yesterday. A day that began at Senso-ji in the morning, Ueno Park and Zoo in the afternoon and Shibuya in the evening. I slept well — a bit too well because by the time I had breakfast and left the hostel, it was already noon.

Halc Odakyu mall Shinjuku Tokyo — I got off at Nishi-Shinjuku station and ended up at a Uniqlo (yes, again) and Bic Camera (electronics store)

Mode Gakuen cocoon tower Japan — I was in Nishi-Shinjuku mainly to go to the Tokyo Metropolitan Building for the free observation deck

Sompo Japan building Shinjuku Tokyo — Nishi-Shinjuku is the area of Shinjuku Ward dubbed ‘Skyscraper City’– which is why I wanted to see it as I appreciate tall structures and good architecture

Mode Gakuen Cocoon building Japan — It has the highest concentration of skyscrapers in Tokyo. Including cool-looking building like the Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower — which houses three educational institutions

Nishi-Shinjuku business district Tokyo — Nishi-Shinjuku is home to the corporate offices of many major Japanese and international businesses

Love art installation Shinjuku Tokyo — Japan’s installation of artist Robert Indiana’s famous LOVE sculpture

Tokyo metropolitan building side view — I used Google Maps on my phone to guide me to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, the 8th tallest building in Japan

The 48-storey, 243-metre high building rises to form a twin tower at the top and on the 45th floor of each tower is an observation deck which is open to public — completely free! Continue reading “Japan: Nishi-Shinjuku — views from Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building sky deck” »