Stepping out of the airport in Mumbai, we were hit with a wave of intense sensations. Our flight arrived on a Sunday, on the day of a marathon, and the city felt like it was on steroids. The noise, traffic, honking car horns, people, and scents overwhelmed our senses in a way that was both exhilarating and intimidating. As a first-time traveler to India, we were eager to dive into the vibrant culture of Mumbai, and we had just 48 hours to do it.

Our first stop was the spice market, and the smells of cardamom, cumin, and coriander wafted through the air as we walked through it. We drank our first masala chai from the street vendor and were immediately hooked.

Masala chai is a popular Indian tea that is made by brewing black tea with a mixture of aromatic spices, such as cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, along with milk and sugar. The taste of masala chai can be described as warm, spicy, and fragrant, with a hint of sweetness. It's no wonder that it has become a beloved beverage around the world.

After our visit to the spice market, we stopped at the Bombay Sweet Shop for a quick snack. The array of colorful sweets and savory snacks was overwhelming, and we ended up trying a few different items. Our favorites are pictured here and we even brought a whole bagful back to NYC,

From there, we made my way to the Taj Mahal Mumbai, a Virtuoso property and our home in Mumbai. The Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai is a historic and iconic luxury hotel that has been a landmark of the city since its opening in 1903. The hotel was commissioned by Jamsetji Tata, a prominent Indian businessman, who wanted to create a world-class hotel that would rival the best in Europe. If only these walls could talk. For now, we’ll content ourselves with the gallery of world leaders and celebrities who have stayed here.

On the next day, we left the hotel at 5am to take the Mumbai by Dawn tour, run by No Footprints Mumbai. The tour promised a glimpse into the city's hidden gems, and we were excited to see what was in store. The tour took us through the fish market, where vendors were haggling over the day's catch, the newspaper sorters, who were busily sorting through piles of newspapers, the fruit and vegetable market, where vibrant colors of fresh produce filled the air, the flower market, where the aroma of fresh blooms was intoxicating, and the Dhobi Ghat, a massive open-air laundry where thousands of clothes are washed and dried every day.

After the tour, we returned to the hotel for a leisurely breakfast and a swim. For lunch, we headed to Bombay Canteen, a trendy restaurant that offers a modern take on traditional Indian cuisine. The flavors were a mix of bold and subtle, and the atmosphere was lively and fun.

In the afternoon, we explored Worli Fishing Village, a small community of fishermen who have lived in the same spot for generations. The village was a world away from the glitz and glamour of the city, and the simplicity of life there was a stark contrast to the fast-paced energy of Mumbai.

As we boarded our plane to Kerala, we realized that 48 hours was not nearly enough time to experience all that Mumbai has to offer. But in that short time, we had been exposed to a world of new sights, sounds, and flavors that had expanded our worldview in ways we could not have imagined. We will always remember our first trip to Mumbai, and could not have chosen a better springboard to explore more of this incredible country.