The ORCHID - About the City

Geography:
Mumbai lies off the west coast of India. It has a natural harbour and the wide bay between the city and its main land has allowed Mumbai to develop into a natural Shipping and Trading centre.

Location:
18.54°N 72.4°E

Area:
600 sq. km.

Time Zone:
Single Time zone - IST (Indian Standard Time).
5 1/2 hrs ahead of London (GMT),
10 1/2 hrs ahead of New York and behind Australia
and 2 1/2 hrs behind Hong Kong.

Population:
Recent census figures claim 14.8 million.

Weather:
Average monthly temperature in Mumbai in Celsius.

Jan - 22°C	Feb - 24°C	Mar - 26°C	Apr - 30°C
May - 33°C	Jun - 29°C	Jul - 24°C	Aug - 27°C
Sep - 26°C	Oct - 28°C	Nov - 27°C	Dec - 27°C

Climate:
Being on the sea coast, the temperature undergoes little seasonal fluctuation. Humidity is often very high.
Temperatures range from 19 to 34ºC
Rainfall between June and September averages 216 cm.

Mother Tongue:
Marathi is the main language.
Hindi, Gujarati and English are also spoken.

Visas:
Essential for visitors and usually valid for a period of six months.
Issued by the Indian High Commissions and Embassies.

Airport Tax:
No departure tax for Domestic travel.
An Airport Tax of Rs. 500/ head is applicable for International travel, payable on booking a ticket or at the Airport.

Customs:
Import of 1 litre of spirits or wine and 200 cigarettes is permitted. Electronic items like Video cameras and Laptops must be declared at the Customs counter and taken back on departure.

Money:
The Indian Rupee, which is equivalent to 100 paise. Appx. value :

US $ 1/- = Appx. Rs.43/-

Brit. £ 1/- = Appx. Rs.70/-

Communication:
Phone and Fax (Local, Domestic & International are available at the hotel and all communication centres.
Cell phones are available on hire.

Tipping:
Hotel porters and waiters are generally tipped.
Taxi drivers are not usually tipped.

Dress:
Skimpily clad women will be stared at. Wear informal loose clothes during the day.
Suits are the norm for business meetings.

Etiquette:
Shoes are never worn in Temples or Mosques and in some homes.

Bargaining:
Street stalls are open to bargaining. Otherwise, fixed prices is the norm.

Medical Health:

It is advisable to take Accident Insurance.
Immunisation against Cholera, Typhoid and
Polio is recommended.
Carry a Mosquito repellent (they are also
available in Mumbai.)
Stick to purified water.

Essential Hindi:
Here are a few handy Hindi phrases that you can use in Mumbai.

What is your name?	Aap ka naam kya hai?
My name is ....	Mera naam ....
How are you?	Aap kaisay hai?
I am fine.	May theek hoo
Thank you	Shukriya
How much?	Kitna hai

Transport:

Rent a car :
Our Travel desk can help you rent a car.

Taxis:
The best travel options are Regular Taxis. They are black and yellow and have a meter - but remember,
you pay the rate as per the Fare card.
AC Taxis or "Cool Cabs", are distinguished by their blue colour.
Our Travel desk can call one up for you.

Buses:
Single and Double decker busses are an inexpensive mode of transport. They tend to get over crowded at peak hours.

Autorickshaws:
Three wheelers are available only in the suburbs, they are also metered, with a farecard.

Rail:
The Western Railway line plies from Churchgate and the Central and Harbour line plies from Victoria Terminus (now CST). Tickets are available at the railway booking counters. Trains are non A/C, have Ist and llnd classes and separate compartment for Ladies.

Don't stay anywhere else for the world !
Click on the link above to make an instant reservation.
OR Ring: 1-600-11-5432 (Toll Free in India),
91-22-6164040 (International)
Adjacent to Domestic Airport

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