Malaysia- Land of Glass Towers, Beaches, Mountains, National Parks

Hi Everyone,
After a long time, let me take you to a city of glass towers, beaches, mountains & national parks. A place where you will love to eat, relax & enjoy the serene beauty of nature.....Thats Malaysia for you......
Whats This? Malaysia- a land of glass towers, superb beaches, mountains and national parks in Asia. Its the most pleasant, hassle-free countries to visit in southeast Asia.

Located Where? Malaysia is one of the most pleasant, hassle-free countries to visit in southeast Asia. Malaysia lies entirely in the equatorial zone. Peninsular Malaysia forms part of the Sunda Shield. Its Triassic fold-mountain belt, the spine of the Peninsula, continues from eastern Burma through Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, the Banka and Billiton Islands, and eastwards into Indonesian Borneo.

How do we Reach There? Malaysia's main international airport is at Sepang, 75km (47mi) south of Kuala Lumpur. Most tourists either fly into Sepang or arrive overland from Thailand or Singapore. However, Penang also has international flights, and Kuching in Sarawak and Tawau in Sabah have flights to/from Kalimantan. Departure tax (around US$40.00 ) will be included in the ticket price. Malaysian Airline System (MAS) and Air Asia are the main domestic airlines, servicing both the peninsula and Sabah and Sarawak. It's cheaper to fly to East Malaysia from Johor Bahru than from KL

Best time to visit: It's hot and humid year-round in Malaysia with temperatures rarely dropping below 20°C (68°F), even at night, and usually climbing to 30°C (86°F) or more during the day. It's best to avoid the November to January rainy season on peninsular Malaysia's east coast if you want to enjoy the beaches.

Major Attractions :

Batu Caves (Ipoh Road): Just north of Kuala Lumpur is the impressive Batu Caves. A flight of 272 steps leads up to Temple Cave. Beyond the towering main cavern, the space opens to an atrium-like cave at the rear. Many visitors are more spellbound by the monkeys that scale the vertical cliff faces than by the shrines which are dwarfed by the scale of the cave. The whole spectacle has been enhanced of late by an enormous golden statue of Muruga, also known as Lord Subramaniam, to whom the caves are dedicated. Each year in late January or early February up to a million pilgrims visit here during the three days of Thaipusam.

Lake Gardens (JIn Parlimen, Lake Gardens district, Kuala Lumpur): These 92ha (227ac) of manicured gardens lie west of Merdeka Sq and were once home to the ranking British official. There's a butterfly park, planetarium, insect museum, walk-in aviary, orchid garden and hibiscus garden. You can also hire boats on Tasik Perdana (Premier Lake).

Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre (Sepilok ): One of only four orang-utan sanctuaries in the world, Sepilok is among Sabah's top tourist attractions - so much so that the atmosphere can be a bit like a circus or a zoo. A visit to Sepilok can be a memorable experience. "Orang Utan" which means "man of the forest" in Malaysian.

Taman Negara National Park (Three boats daily from Kuala Tembeling to Kuala Tahan): This magnificent wild area is a haven for endangered species such as elephants, tigers, leopards and rhinos, but numbers are low and sightings of anything more exotic than snakes, lizards, monkeys, small deer, and perhaps tapir, are rare. Traditionally, the park was only accessible by river. These days there's a road, but the boat trip is still recommended for the full Taman Negara experience.The jungle at Taman Negara is dense but sightings are never guaranteed. The jungle here is claimed to be the oldest in the world none of the Ice Ages had any effect here.

Kuala Lumpur (KL): is an intriguing mix of architecture throughout the city; elegant colonial buildings contrast with soaring modern edifices such as the twin Petronas Towers. Its a bustling metropolis with one of the world's tallest buildings. KL is hot and humid almost all the time with overnight lows rarely sinking below 20°C (70°F) and maximums rising above 30°C (86°F) on most days.Rainfall is variable and falls all year round.

The major attractions in KL are Aquaria KLCC, Badan Warisan Malaysia, Bazaar Baru Market, Buddhist Maha Vihar, Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, Butterfly Reserve, Chan She Shu Yuen Temple, Choon Wan Kong, Chulan Tower, Civil Service Memorial, Cosmo's World, Deer Park, Dharma Realm Guan Yin Sagely Monastery, Galeri Petronas.

The famous places to shop around in KL are Avenue K, Ayurvedium, Bangsar Village I & II, Berjaya Times Square, Central Market, Chow Kit Clothes Market, Curve, Dive Station, Escentials, Imbi Plaza.

The numerous night markets scattered around the city are crowded and atmospheric. On the west of Kuala Lumpur you can find Actors Studio Bangsar famous for theatre & comedy, the Chinese Assembly Hall famous for traditional theatre, performance, music, Dewan Filharmonik Petronas famous for classical music jazz/blues traditional music, and Digi Imax Theatre for cinema. For enjoying bars you can visit the Bar Flam, Bar Upstairs, Beach Club Café, Bed, Black Hole, Blue Boy, Ceylon Bar, Chinatown Liquor Shop.

Melaka City: One of Malaysia's most sought after destinations, is the small city-state of Melaka. The temperature in Melaka ranges from 21°C (70°F) to 33°C (91°F) and average humidity exceeds 82%. There is rain throughout the year, with September to November the wettest months.Melaka is 144km (89mi) from Kuala Lumpur and just 94km (58mi) from Port Dickson. Most travellers arrive and depart from Melaka overland, as the airport outside town does not handle domestic flights. Melaka is easy to navigate and compact enough to explore on foot, bicycle or trishaw (bicycle rickshaw).Taking to Melaka's streets by trishaw is a popular tourist option. Melaka's airport is at Batu Berendam. The famous places to visit here are Baba-Nonya Heritage Museum, St Paul's Church a religious/spiritual cemetery hill , Stadthuys a government museum.

Penang's: sprawling main centre, Georgetown, has impressive colonial architecture, temples, lively Chinese culture, great shopping and even better food. Penang is well known for being the "food paradise" of Malaysia & has a tropical climate, with incredibly consistent temperatures year-round. Average monthly highs range from 30°C to 31°C (86-88°F) for the whole year; average monthly lows are between 23°C and 24°C (74-75°F). Penang's mainland strip of Seberang Perai is easily accessed by road and rail from other parts of the peninsula. Butterworth is the transport hub and the departure point for ferries to Pulau Penang, which is also linked to the mainland by road-bridgeThe famous places here to visit are Alpha Utara Gallery an art gallery, Khoo Kongsi, Kek Lok Si Temple, Snake Temple, & Penang Hill.

Precautions: The islands and coastal areas of Eastern Sabah are considered very dangerous for foreigners, who are at high risk of being kidnapped by terrorist groups.

General Info / Tips: The Official language spoken here is Malay.Currency- Name -Malaysian Ringgit, Symbol -RM

A trip to the Blue waters & white beaches of Mauritius

Hello friends, today for the first time i will take you Abroad to a beautiful & magnificent place called 'Mauritius'. If you want the company of lively and warm people, want to enjoy relaxed vibes and the music of everyday life, lovely beaches, luxurious hotels and crystal-clear waters this is the right place to visit. Mauritius is the most accessible island in the Indian Ocean - a tropical paradise akin to Maui or Martinique but more budget-traveller friendly.If you are looking for a very special place to spend your honeymoon, Mauritius is definitely the place for you. Every hotel on the island offers extensive wedding and honeymoon packages.

Located Where? Mauritius is located approximately 2000 kilometres to the south eastern coast of Africa and lies east of Madagascar on 20°5, 57.5E. The country covers an area of 1865km with 330 kilometres of coastline. Mauritius is 45km in width and 65km in length.

How do we Reach There? Air Mauritius operates over 30 weekly flights to and from all the European major cities including 15 combined flights with Air France to and from Paris. British Airways operates four weekly flights, Emirates Airlines three and Condor one.

Best time to visit : The temperature on the coastal areas varies between 22°C in winter and 34°C in summer. The sea temperature varies between 22°C and 27°C. In the central part of the island, the maximum daytime temperature varies from about 19°C in August to about 26°C in February. The western and northern regions are warmer and relatively drier than the East and the South.

What to Wear? Take your best beach and casual wear. In the winter months (June -September), carry some light woollen clothing for the cool evenings.

Major Attractions :

Grand Bay: was the first area of the island to fully experience the tourist boom. A shopping and leisure paradise, people also come here for a fun-filled night out (restaurants, bars and discos). It is one of the best areas for sailing, windsurfing and water skiing.Recently renovated, La Cuvette beach is well worth a visit.

Pereybère : This remarkable small cove half-way between Grand Bay and Cap Malheureux is one of the finest bathing spots on the island. It is a public beach popular because of its shopping facilities, restaurants and pubs.

Balaclava Ruins: many tortoises in the area, can be found the ruins of the old Balaclava estate.

The Triolet Shivala: is the longest village on the island, Triolet offers an opportunity to visit the biggest Hindu temple, the Maheswarnath, first built in 1819 in honour of the Gods Shiva, Krishna, Vishnu, Muruga, Brahma and Ganesha.

The Labourdonnais Orchards: Here you can discover a large variety of tropical fruit trees, colourful and perfumed exotic flowers. Trips on mountain bikes or hiking are possible.

Dutch Ruins: At Vieux Grand Port, the oldest settlements in Mauritius, you can see the ruins of the first Dutch fortifications.

Ile aux Aigrettes: This island has become an international standard for the protection of natural resources and endangered species. A few of the world’s rarest birds, including the kestrel, can be seen there. You can also discover the extremely rare Pink Pigeon, the Green Gecko Phelsuma and the Aldabra giant tortoise.

Mahebourg: is one of the main fishing villages on the island. Built on the magnificent Grand Port Bay. The Martello Towers represent the scene of the ancient rivalry between old colonial powers and the ingenuity of mankind.

Domaine du Chasseur: has splendid hunting grounds covering an area of 900 hectares. Stags, monkeys and boars live amidst the luxuriant vegetation of the hillside.One can watch a few species of endangered birds, including the kestrel. The Domaine contains four thatched-roof bungalows and a restaurant with a panoramic sea view.

Souillac: A small seaside resort alongThe Waterpark Leisure Village the rugged coast of the Savanne district A popular viewpoint is found at the southern end of the village, right on the cliff top

Flacq Market: the most important villages in Mauritius, the country’s largest open air market.

The Waterpark Leisure Village (Coastal road, Belle Mare): You can enjoy with family & friends sliding on the giant chutes, a good time to relax & have fun.

Ile aux Cerfsis: is a paradise for water sports and has the most beautiful beach in Mauritius.

Martello Towers: The Martello Towers represent the scene of the ancient rivalry between old colonial powers and the ingenuity of mankind.

Chamarel: You can find coloured earths of Chamarel an undulating landscape of different and contrasting shades of colours. The different shades of blue, green, red and yellow are apparently the result of the erosion of the volcanic ash. The neighbouring waterfalls of Chamarel rise from the moors and the native plant life. The site possesses a rare beauty.

Salt Pans: Owing to the exceptional high level of sunshine the district receives, Tamarin is naturally the heart of salt production in Mauritius.

Casela: Here, the bird park stretches over 25 hectares and contains more than 140 bird species from all five continents. Other attractions include fish ponds, tigers, tortoises, monkeys, deer and orchids.

Yemen: You will be able to get close to the herds of deer here in the Yemen Reserve, as well as admire some splendid species of Mauritian fauna.

L’Aventure du Sucre: You can visit an interactive and ultra modern exhibition situated at the heart of an ancient sugarmill and discover the fascinating history of Mauritius and its sugarcane adventure. You can then purchase some unique gifts, souvenirs and tasting of special unrefined sugars as well as local rum.

Ganga Talao - Grand Bassin: Beyond La Marie and Mare-aux-Vacoas is found one of the two natural lakes of Mauritius. It rests within the crater of an extinct volcano. Ganga Talao is an important pilgrimage site and many Mauritians of the Hindu faith walk there during the Maha Shivaratri festival or the night fasting dedicated to Shiva.

Black River Gorges: This national park of 6,574 hectares was created in 1994 for the protection of Mauritius’ remaining native forests. You can enjoy magnificent landscapes, with endemic plants and rare bird species.

Beaches:

Mauritius is a real paradise for those who want to enjoy the sea or just to soak up the sun. Here is a list of the island’s finest public beaches:

Belle Mare: You can find miles and miles of white and spotless beaches from Belle Mare to Trou-d’Eau Douce.
Blue Bay: is one of the most popular bathing spots in the South-East of the island. An ideal spot for windsurfing and sailing.
Le Morne & Tamarin: Offer kilometres of beaches for bathing and are very popular for surfing.
Flic en Flac: You can discover the magic of white beaches fringed with filaos or Casuarina trees here.
Other beaches worth visiting are Grand Bay and Pereybere mentioned above.

Marine Life:
The Mauritian sea has the multi-coloured fish, moray eels, magnificent coral beds.You can enjoy with experiences of Skin-diving masks, flippers and scuba diving.
One of the most spectacular ways to explore the ocean beds is to go on board the Blue Safari submarine.

Le Nessee, a semi-submersible, will provide you a one hour trip under the sea in complete safety. A unique experience with optimal viewing for passengers of all ages. And for those who want to experience the feelingof walking on the sea bed, Undersea Walk Ltd will help you enjoy the thrill in complete safety.

Other Attractions:

Central Market: In the Port-Louis central market you will find all the ingredients that help to create the charm of Mauritius- local crafts, vegetables, herbal tea sellers.

China Town: is an area where you can find almost anything at an affordable price. You can find sellers of boiled chow mein and fish balls in the affordable market of Port Louis China Town.

Caudan Waterfront: Offering more than just rows of shops and restaurants Caudan Waterfront also enables you to discover Fast food or gourmet cooking, jewellery and local crafts, everything to suit all tastes.

SSR Botanical Garden: The gardens are known to naturalists throughout the world for their large collection of indigenous and exotic plants, including the giant Victoria Amazonica water lilies and many species of palm trees, a spice garden and the Talipot Palms, said to flower every 60 years after which they die.The deers and tortoises are sure to delight the youngsters here.

Shopping: What can one buy in Mauritius?
Models of old ships, textiles production, pull-overs, knitwear, leading brands of shirts, trousers, suits, dresses, suits for women, shorts or swimwear are sold at unbeatable prices. Basketwork, embroidery, pottery, cut stones and recycled glass are very much in demand. Those who love cooking will be able to take back fruit jellies, chillies, and other types of spices and pickles - delicious bits of raw vegetables soaked in oil, spices and chilly. Do not forget to buy some vanilla tea or rum. Only accredited shops are allowed to sell duty-free goods to tourists.

Precautions : Keep an eye on all personal belongings at all times.
Be careful when withdrawing money from a cash point.
Avoid wearing expensive jewellery.

Do not leave anything inside your car.
(For trips or purchases) use only recognised operators or suppliers.
Keep your passports, plane tickets, jewellery of value and large sums of money in safe custody.
For sea excursions, do not rent boats with inadequate security standards.
During individual sea trips, always notify the person responsible for the boat house.
Do not go swimming in areas where it is forbidden.

General Info / Tips:

Visa & entry requirements: A visitor must be in possession of a valid passport and a return or onward ticket. A visitor’s visa is normally granted for a period of two weeks to one month upon arrival, to almost all holders of a valid passport, with one or two exceptions. Visitors are strongly recommended to contact the Passport and Immigration Office in Mauritius or the nearest Mauritian Embassy or Consulate.

Health: No vaccinations are required. However a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over 1 year of age who arrive from areas where yellow fever cases are reported.

Time Zone: Mauritius is four hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and three hours ahead (2 hours in summer) of mid-European Time.

Currency: The monetary unit is the Mauritian Rupee (Rs.) which is divided into 100 cents (cs). At the latest exchange rate, one Euro is worth around Rs. 30.

Languages Spoken: Most people in Mauritius are bilingual and are equally fluent in English and French. Creole and French are the main languages in the everyday environment.

Driving: People in Mauritius drive on the left-hand side of the road and give way to the right.

BON VOYAGE

City of Dreams - Mumbai (Bombay)

Let me take you to the 'City of Dreams', Mumbai (Bombay)- the glamour of Bollywood cinema, shopping malls, families eating bhelpuri on the beach at Chowpatty, red double-decker buses, a city with vibrant streetlife, India's best nightlife, and a wealth of bazaars.

Located Where? Mumbai is located on Salsette Island which lies at the mouth of Ulhas River off the western coast of India in the coastal region known as the Konkan. Most of Mumbai is at sea level and the average elevation ranges from 10 to 15 metres.

How do we Reach There? By Air - Mumbai has a vast infrastructure of rail, road & airways. It has the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (Sahar) and the domestic terminal (Santa Cruz) are 30km (19mi) and 26km (16mi) respectively from downtown Mumbai.

By Rail - Two railway systems operate out of Mumbai. Central Railways handles services to the east and south, plus a few trains to the north. Western Railways has services to the north from Churchgate and Central stations. Trains travel frequently between Mumbai and Agra, Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Kochi, Pune and Varanasi.The local railway that runs inside the city is one of the dependable ways of communication.

Best time to visit : The best time to explore Mumbai is between the months of September and April, when the weather is relatively dry and cool. The monsoon season begins from June to September. January is the coolest month, though 12°C (53°F) is about as low as it goes. March and October tend to swelter, with temperatures rising as high as 38°C (100°F). Extreme climate, from April to mid-June falling to almost freezing at night in winter, between November and February. Summers are hot with monsoons between June and September. The climate is pleasant between October and March, blast-furnace hot between April and June, and dripping with humidity between July and September.
Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens in summer with warmer clothes in winter and on cooler evenings. Waterproofing is essential during monsoons. Monsoon rains occur in most regions in summer between June and September.

Major Attractions : Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (Prince of Wales Museum) near Kalaghoda- Mumbai's biggest and best museum displaying a mixed bag of dusty exhibits from all over India. Opened in 1923 to commemorate King George V's first visit to India (back in 1905, while he was still Prince of Wales), the vast collection inside includes impressive Hindu and Buddhist sculpture, terracotta figurines from the Indus Valley, miniature paintings, porcelain and some particularly vicious weaponry. You can take advantage of the free, multilanguage audio guides as not everything is labelled.

Chowpatty Beach in Charni Road- A favourite spot for full experience by strolling through the many beachside stalls for some bhelpuri or a head massage. The water is not the cleanest but the beach is litter-free, patrolled by lifeguards and lit up at night. Visiting Chowpatty in the evening is an essential part of any trip to Mumbai.

Marine Drive (Chowpatty)- is one Mumbai's most popular promenades and sunset-watching spots. It's twinkling night-time lights earned it the nickname 'the Queen's Necklace'.Chowpatty Beach remains a favourite evening spot for courting couples, families, political rallies and anyone out to enjoy what passes for fresh air. Eating an evening time bhelpuri at the throng of stalls found here is an essential part of the Mumbai experience.

Colaba (Churchgate)- a bustling district packed with street stalls, markets, bars and budget to midrange lodgings. While you're here, it's worth popping into the 1847 Church of St John the Evangelist, known as the Afghan Church. Nearby Colaba Market (Lala Nigam St) has plenty of activity and colour and is lined with jewellery shops and fruit and veg stalls.

Gateway of India (Colaba, Churchgate)- was built to commemorate the 1911 royal visit of King George V. The gateway is a favourite gathering spot for locals and a top spot for people-watching. Boats depart from the gateway's wharfs for Elephanta Island and Mandwa. You can also take a joy-ride on the boat for a local trip round the gateway. You can see the famous Taj Mahal hotel opposite the gateway of India. Here you can ride in a Victoria - one of the horse-drawn gilded carriages known as Ghoda-Gaadi in the local language. Some distance away is the Fashion Street where you can bargain for some fashionable & trendy day to day clothes, jewellery, shoes.

Elephanta Island (by boat from Gateway of India) - Every day except Monday, tourist boats head out from the Gateway of India to this magnificent island, home to the most famous cave temples in Maharashtra. Carved into the solid rock of the island are a series of ornate Shaivite temples, covered in ornate carvings of Hindu deities.
The centrepiece of the complex is a monumental statue of Mahesh Murti, depicting Shiva as the creator, preserver and destroyer of the universe.Boats to Elephanta leave the Gateway of India regularly between 09:00 and 14:30 and the fare is around Rs90.00 on an economy boat or Rs110.00 on a deluxe boat. The last return service from Elephanta leaves around 17:30 . On the way, check out the giant freighters in Mumbai Harbour. The Elephanta Festival is a classical dance and music event on Elephanta Island. One can give a visit as an excursion trip just few kilometers away from the beach. This festival is usually held in the month February.

Museum Ship Vikrant (Mumbai Harbour)- Built in 1945 and bought by the Indian Navy in 1957, the massive aircraft carrier INS Vikrant now serves as a fascinating museum. Admission includes the ferry ride out to the ship, then a walk through the various quarters, the hold (displaying diving bells, submarines and various aircraft) and finally the enormous deck with take-off and landing strip. Tickets are available from the booking offices near the Gateway.

Jehangir Art Gallery (MG Rd, Kala Ghoda)- The Jehangir Art Gallery is one of Mumbai's principal commercial galleries, hosting interesting weekly shows by Indian artists; most works are for sale. Rows of hopeful local artists often display their work on the pavement outside this gallery.

Haji Ali Mosque (Mahalaxmi)- Floating like a sacred mirage off the coast, the Haji Ali Mosque is one of Mumbai's most striking shrines. Built in the 19th century, it contains the tomb of the Muslim saint Haji - legend has it that Haji Ali died while on a pilgrimage to Mecca and his casket miraculously floated back to this spot.

Mahalaxmi Racecourse (Mahalaxmi)- Mumbai's horse-racing season runs from November to the end of April. Races are held on Sunday and Thursday afternoons (Saturday and Sunday towards the end of the season) at Mahalaxmi Racecourse. Big races, such as the Indian Derby in February, are major social occasions.

Kamala Nehru Park- At the top of Mumbai's Malabar Hill where the elite have built their plush modern palaces is Kamala Nehru Park, the hangout of the bourgeois middle class. It has little to offer by way of entertainment, apart from a "Old Woman's Shoe" relegated to a distant corner, but the view of the city is spectacular and unmissable. Its a vantage point that casts a proud eye on the entire city.

Hanging Gardens- Perched at the top of Malabar Hill, on its western side, just opposite the Kamala Nehru Park, these terraced gardens, also known as Ferozeshah Mehta Gardens, provide lovely sunset views over the Arabian Sea. The park was laid out in the early 1880s over Bombay's main reservoir, some say to cover the water from the potentially contaminating activity of the nearby Towers of Silence.

Mumbai Zoo (Byculla)- The Mumbai Zoo is remarkably well-maintained. The animals are a little few and far between, with the few local species in large cages including crocs, elephants, rhinos and a few bored lions. There's a small playground, and it's generally a popular place for families and couples to meander.

Nehru Centre & Nehru Planetarium (Dr Annie Besant Rd, Worli)- The most striking thing about the Nehru Centre & Nehru Planetarium cultural complex, which includes a decent planetarium and the serpentine-but-interesting history exhibition Discovery of India is the bold modern architecture of the buildings. The tower looks like a giant cylindrical pineapple, the planetarium a UFO. There's also a theatre here.

�Juhu Beach (Santacruz)- Like Chowpatty, uptown Juhu Beach is also a bourgeois paradise, filled to the gills with screaming children, courting couples and rowdy adolescents. If you want a more fancy excursion, however, retreat behind Juhu's many five star hotels, for a steaming cup of coffee and a splendid view of the coast. The most popular of these beachfront hotels are the Sun and Sand and Holiday Inn. The government run Juhu Centaur also has a 24 hour coffee shop with a view of the sea. You can also visit the Hare Rama Hare Krishna Temple (Iskon temple) which is closeby & famous for the Radha-Krishna sculpture.

Esselworld (Borivili)- This is Mumbai's only international-style theme park and amusement centre situated close to Gorai Beach. Special ferries get you across to the park and the entrance fee normally takes care of a fixed number of rides. These include the standard roller coaster and adventure themes, plus a water world section where kids can literally run amok. Summer is usually crowded, but the place also offers low budget monsoon packages and special deals on weekends. Check these out before you go. The famous Waterkingdom (waterpark) is also just besides the Esselworld. You can chose to go between the two.

Precautions : Make sure you book your hotels with reputed travel agents, keeping one's ears and eyes wide open while roaming in an unknown place always pays. It is advisable to keep the belongings well locked and should not left behind carelessly.

People are encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, remain aware of their surroundings, monitor local news reports, avoid crowded places, and take appropriate steps to bolster their personal security. It is highly advised to avoid the beaches for swimming and having sunbath. Visitors should be dressed decently. Avoid littering the beaches or polluting the sea.

General Info / Tips: Local roadside fast food in Mumbai includes vada pav, panipuri, paav bhaji, bhelpuri and golaas a must-have.

Festivals and celebrations are observed by residents of all communities and religions. Diwali, Holi, Christmas, Navratri, Good Friday, Dussera, Moharram, Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga Puja and Maha Shivratri are some of the most popular festivals in the city. The local language spoken is Marathi.

Mumbai is well connected to most parts of India by the Indian Railways. Trains originate from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Dadar, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Mumbai Central, Bandra terminus and Andheri. Mumbai's suburban rail systems carry a total of 6.3 million passengers every day.Most of Mumbai's inhabitants rely on public transport to travel to and from their workplace. Transport systems in Mumbai include the Mumbai Suburban Railway, BEST buses, taxis, auto rickshaws and ferries.

Bollywood is the nickname for the Indian film industry located in Bombay (now known as Mumbai, though Mollywood hasn't quite caught on.) Indians are in love with movies. Mumbai (Bollywood) leads India in film production, its specialty lies with Hindi movies. Bollywood films are being shown in American and British theaters on a more and more frequent basis. These theaters have become community foci for the South Asian communities around the world. Bollywood's film production center is a government-owned studio facility known as "Film City" in the northern suburbs of Mumbai. Bollywood traces its start to 1911 when the first silent Indian feature film was released by D.P. Phalke. The industry boomed and today there are over 250 theaters in Mumbai alone.