Yes, that sounds intense and it was. This city hits like a sensory overload: Neon lights, car horns, the smell of incense, street food, dead animals and burnt plastic. Traffic that is straight up chaos and a million different things happening all at once. INTENSE – especially when you got only 24 hours and still want to explore a bit. Getting around this city can be overwhelming ...
Arrived in the evening and went for a stroll on the streets. Found this little coconut street vendor.
First things first: a FRESH COCONUT ッ
We always need good coffee.
And we always find one. COFFE NERDS.
The reason why
We flew to Mumbai for a very specific reason: to activate our online visa for India. Sounds complicated, , is complicated – if we want to cross the land border from Pakistan to India later this summer in our car, the visa must first be validated by entering India via air.
The other option would have been leaving our passport for 4-6 weeks at the embassy in Dubai, but what should we do there for such a long time in this crazy heat? So first option it was. A bit of a detour, sure, but all part of the adventure. And hey, after weeks on the road, we weren’t exactly mad about swapping the driver’s seat for a window seat — this little mission came at just the right time.
Say hi and they give you a smile ッ
You see it all in Mumbai, the struggle, the hustle, the heart – all at once. So many contrasts, so many stories.
Different world, different services. Amazing to see what people do for work.
Mumbai has A LOT of mosquitos. Needed mosquito repellent, urgently.
Chaos, but normal. Everyone knows how it works.
Bombay madness
There’s no easing into Mumbai — it pulls you in, spins you around, and dares you to keep up. Just when you think it’s too much, something catches your eye or warms your heart: a stranger’s smile, a burst of color, the scent of fresh chai. It’s a city that tests all your senses.
Formerly known as Bombay, Mumbai is India’s largest city — and its beating economic and cultural heart. It’s home to more than 20 million people, the headquarters of India's biggest financial institutions, and the glitz of Bollywood. It's gritty, glamorous, exhausting, and inspiring — often all at once.
Conclusion: loud, messy, and kind of magical
This city felt like a storm of color, sound, and nonstop movement and yet you’ll find calming energy.
The colors and the VIBE.
After a day of overloading our senses we needed a sunset …
… and drink (it’s been a looong time) ツ
Mission failed
And you know what? We might won't be even able to reach India in our car anymore, since the closed the land border due to the situation between Pakistan and India. A BIIIIG bummer.
But no reason to be sad, there are other ways to get to South East Asia. The upcoming months? They're going to be INSANE. Sometimes life doesn't go as planned and that's where the real adventure begins. So, let's f**! goooo.
