If you hear Ho Ho in Mumbai before Christmas this year, it's not because of Santa. It's mostly because of Aditya Thackeray.
Mumbai’s Tourism and Environment Minister Aditya Thackeray recently announced the launch of Mumbai’s Hop On Hop Off (HoHo) bus service, which is inspired by the popular concept of HoHo buses that run across the globe. Traditionally, HoHo buses offer tourists the chance to take an unlimited number of rides on the bus. This works best because tourists can get in and off the bus at any tourist spot on the route, as buses repeat at a certain frequency.
In Mumbai, the electric AC buses are meant to operate from Gateway of India to Juhu between 9 am and 8 pm. But wait a minute.
Aren’t we bored of seeing the same old Nehru Planetarium and the same old Gateway of India? And who hasn’t seen CST Station? Like everyone! There is so much newness in Mumbai to explore, that we wish the tourists got to see a different Mumbai. Here's our list:
1. ANTILIA
#Antilia at #Altamount road, residence of Indian businessman #Mukesh Ambani in #Mumbai observing the #9Minutesat9PM pic.twitter.com/gwusOniZsq
— Richa Pinto (@richapintoi) April 5, 2020
Antilia is Mumbai’s most famous landmark today. It houses Asia’s richest family, the Ambanis, and won't that obviously draw attention? The curiosity is justified as many visitors are plainly inquisitive to see where the A family lives. Being the second-most expensive home in the world, right after Buckingham Palace, the 27-storey Antilia must be an obvious first stop for the ride.
2. PHOOL MARKET DADAR
This #WorldMusicDay, lose yourself to the hustle and bustle of Mumbai's Dadar Flower Market! pic.twitter.com/y3yypiSmUo
— Firstpost (@firstpost) June 21, 2017
Around 400-500 hawkers set up their flower stalls at the Dadar flower market at 4 am and thousands of Mumbaikars visit it every day to stock up on a fresh bunch of flowers. The colourful lane looks like a fairytale with roses, mogras, daisies, orchids, peonies, lotus, and even wedding garlands.
3. Reliance Jio World, BKC
#PVRCinemas launches a luxurious 6-screen multiplex #PVRMaison at #JioWorldDrive at BKC in Mumbai PC: Taran Adarsh pic.twitter.com/g8NWCOrucY
— BINGED (@Binged_) October 22, 2021
Mumbai witnessed its first premium, pet friendly mall in BKC being launched in October 2021, set up by the Reliance group. It houses 72 premium international and Indian brands (some of them being Reliance’s own brands), and boasts of many unique facilities like an open-air weekend market, Hamley’s play area, and Mumbai’s first rooftop Jio Drive-in Theatre.
4. HASNABAD DARGAH, BYCULLA
This is Hasnabad Dargah, one of the best kept secrets of #Mumbai #Byculla #Mazgaon pic.twitter.com/Z9cyRsPxYj
— ??? ??????????? (@chemingineer) May 19, 2019
Mumbai has its own mini Taj Mahal and a surprise destination for architecture and history lovers. Hasnabad Dargah has a light blue dome, is flanked by marble white minarets on either side, and is adorned by intricately carved designs.
5. IKEA MUMBAI
Inside IKEA's second store in India at Navi Mumbai that opened today, watch below #IKEA #IKEAMumbai #NaviMumbai | https://t.co/Y9D2LYTrxK pic.twitter.com/i4a5G8fCDn
— moneycontrol (@moneycontrolcom) December 19, 2020
Who doesn’t love shopping at IKEA? Everyone! With its first city store launched in Navi Mumbai, tourists can have a gala shopping time at IKEA where they are guaranteed value-for-money products.
6. KHOTACHIWADI
Urban village? What's that?#Khotachiwadi in Girgaon, #Mumbai is an apt example of an urban village with its quaint houses. A Grade III heritage precinct - narrow lanes, bungalows with sloping tiled roofs, balconies, porches, staircases & more. #MuseumWeek #CityMW #MumbaiHeritage pic.twitter.com/Ug5ZhVqg0d
— Kaka Baptista East Indian Museum (@EI_Museum) April 24, 2018
Step into a time machine with a visit to Khotachiwadi, a heritage village where you will find a series of old Portuguese-style homes across narrow lanes that will remind tourists of Goa. Visitors can smell the fish cooked in kitchens, especially if they visit in the afternoon.
7. POWAI LAKE
Oasis in the concrete jungle. Where in #Mumbai can you (occasionally) see crocodiles basking...fm ur flat? #Powai lake. Parents fortunate to live near this 2-sq km man-made lake teeming with fish, birds and a dozen ? pic.twitter.com/Z9z9z7MpHb
— Sandeep (@SandeepUnnithan) November 24, 2019
Powai Lake attracts many migratory birds like falcons, kingfishers and ducks, which make it a popular place for bird enthusiasts and photographers. Visitors will love watching the beautiful sunset and walking by the charming park across the lake.
#Powai Lake is d only lake (with public access) in #Mumbai 2hv #crocodiles Illegal fishing, destruction of basking sites, sewage pollution has severely affected crocodiles nd even sightings hav drastically reduced. To SAVE thm..thr HABITAT hs 2b saved. #WorldCrocodileDay @mybmc pic.twitter.com/8fthR70kAn
— Virat A Singh (@tweetsvirat) June 17, 2020
8. INDIA'S FIRST 7-ELEVEN STORE
India's first 7-Eleven convenience store has opened in #Mumbai's #Andheri East today!@CNBCTV18Live @CNBCTV18News @7eleven pic.twitter.com/n9OpRxklPl
— Shilpa S. Ranipeta (@Shilparanipeta) October 9, 2021
You finally don't have to go out of Mumbai to buy FMCG goods from the US because US-based store 7-Eleven joined hands with Reliance Retail to bring its first store to Mumbai. The store houses products from FMCG majors and Reliance’s own brands.
9. FILM CITY
On the set of Kapil Sharma Show.#amaanquasim #KapilSharma #kapilsharmashow #sonytv #SONY #filmcitymumbai #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/5XbvSAaIAx
— Amaan Quasim (@AmaanQuasim3) April 1, 2021
Film City is home to Bollywood, and is spread across 520 hectares of land comprising 20 indoor studios. It is a must-visit spot for all movie buffs because about 1,000 sets can be erected here smultaneously. It would be a pity not seeing Film City on the Mumbai HoHo tour map!
Did you like our recommendations? What do you think could be added to this list? Let us know in the comments.