Top things to discover in Bandra, Mumbai

Bandra is often called the “Queen of Suburbs” and with good reason. One of the most popular and coolest neighborhoods of Mumbai, this western suburb is a unique amalgam of heritage and modernity and is home to some of the most popular restaurants, pubs, and shopping districts in the city. Here is something you can see and do in Bandra so you can get the best out of this neighborhood.

Admire the Street Art

The lanes in the vicinity of Ranwar village have recently become renowned for their quirky street art created by artists from all over the world. Most of it can be found on and around Waroda Road, Chapel Road, and Saint Veronica Road up to Mount Carmel Church in Bandra West. The most prominent murals on Chapel Road are the work of the Bollywood Art Project. There are also massive murals of Bollywood actors Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna on the corner of Bandstand and Pereira Road.

Visit Castella De Aguada (Bandra Fort)

One of the fascinating aspects about Bandra is its history, which is a mix of Portuguese Catholic, British, and Indian cultures and sensibilities. The most prominent of these is Bandra’s Portuguese heritage, with Castella De Aguada or Bandra Fort being its most iconic remnant.

Constructed as early as 1534, the Bandra Fort is located at the southern edge of the neighborhood and overlooks the Mahim Bay to the south and the Arabian Sea to the west. Several conservation efforts have taken place to protect the fort since the early 2000s, and currently, the fort’s maintenance is undertaken by the Taj Land’s End Hotel, located in the vicinity. Apart from its architecture and history, the Bandra Fort is also popular for being a great vantage point to view the sunset along the Arabian sea and it also presents great views of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.

Take a walk at Jogger's Park

Jogger's Park is an ideal park for early morning or evening stroll in Bandra. This is a seaside park with walking tracks. Jogger's Park is definitely a hub for locals who love to walk around in this age-old park. Visitors can find the Jogger's Park next to the Otters club across Carter Road.

Visit St. Andrew’s Church

Constructed in the year 1575, the St. Andrew’s Church in Bandra is one of the oldest churches in all of Mumbai. The Portuguese Jesuit structure has withstood a number of historical events, including a cyclone in 1618 and the Maratha invasion of 1739, during which the Church of St. Anne, an even older church, was destroyed. The church draws hundreds of devotees and visitors and was Bandra’s only major church for nearly a century after the Maratha invasion.

Go shopping

Bargain hunters definitely will not be disappointed by Bandra West. Linking Road is lined with stalls selling cheap shoes, bags, clothing, and accessories. Make sure you haggle hard to get a good price. The neighborhood also has boutiques that are worth browsing through. Go to Anokhi for gorgeous block-print textiles, Kulture Shop for groovy products by Indian graphic designers, OMO for funky Indian attire, and The Shop for boho-chic fashion and home decor.

Read more: Top 10 must-visit attractions in Mumbai, India

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Top onsen houses to try in Osaka, Japan

Onsen is a hot spring in Japan. This country’s hot spring supply is so abundant that even the big cities are full of these spa-like retreats. Here are the best hot springs in and around urban Osaka.

Nobeha No Yu Tsuruhashi

This lavish spa, situated right in the middle of Osaka’s Koreatown, is the perfect escape from the city without actually leaving it. Nobeha no Yu is a massive complex that includes multiple floors of spas, saunas, and baths, as well as dining and relaxation areas. There are both public and private baths for rent, all of which are opulent and indulgent without breaking the bank.

Taihei no Yu

This sento (bathhouse) is conveniently located near Namba, one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations. It’s actually a ‘super sento,’ a public bathing facility designed to function as an entertainment center. Taihei no Yu features the requisite baths (many different types, including outdoor, electric, and cold water tubs) as well as a food court, spa area, game center, and more. It’s also located right next to an early morning fish market, perfect for those who love seafood.

Spa World

If combining the relaxation of taking an onsen bath with the heart-stopping excitement of a water park sounds like your idea of a great time, then pay a visit to Spa World – the place that does both. Inside you’ll find a variety of themed baths, a lazy floating river, and a mega waterslide. Equal parts rejuvenating, bizarre and adorably kitsch, it’s definitely worth a visit for those wanting a more unique bathing experience.

Minoo Onsen Spa Garden

This is the largest onsen complex in Western Japan. Located in tranquil Minoo Park, renowned for its natural beauty and gorgeous fall foliage, Minoo Onsen has numerous decadent baths, with waters said to have healing and beautifying properties. On the top floor is an open-air bath offering breathtaking views of Osaka City by day and night. Hotel guests can use the spa for free, otherwise it’s ¥,3500 ($32) for two hours.

Kamigata Onsen Ikkyu

This onsen boasts the largest rotenburo (outdoor bath) in the Kansai region. The pure, mineral hot spring water that services this rustic bathhouse draws visitors from all around the region. The onsen is split into two areas, the Wood Bath and the Stone Bath, each with their own aesthetic and with many different baths and saunas to enjoy. It’s conveniently located near Universal Studios Japan, perfect for anyone in need of a rest after waiting in line all day.

Amami Onsen Nantenen

This incredible hot spring resort is located only 40 minutes from Osaka City by train. Designed by the same architect responsible for famous Tokyo Station, the traditional and lush green environment allows guests to indulge in the experience of bathing in another time and place while actually near a major, modern city.

See more: Natural onsens you should visit in Tokyo, Japan

Street food in Philippines and dishes you must try

Filipinos’ love for food is unparalleled. Despite three large meals comprising their day (all of which typically consist of at least a cup of rice), they still enjoy taking several snacks in between. This is where street food comes in. Filipinos like having access to a quick bite anywhere, anytime. So a great variety of street snacks have developed — some sweet, some savory, and some just outright bizarre.

Kikiam

Kikiam was originally taken from Chinese cuisine, and authentically consists of minced meat and vegetables. The kikiam used by street food vendors in the Philippines however, are a more scrimped version, sometimes containing fish meat instead and a lot of fillers. They are brown in color and about the size of a finger.

Kwek-Kwek

These brightly colored treats could be quite deceiving to the unaware foodie. They are round and a vibrant shade of orange, but they aren’t sweet, nor do they taste like the Cheetos they match in color. They are actually quail eggs, coated in an orange batter and then deep fried. Most of its goodness relies on the sauce the street food cart has to pair it with.

Balunbalunan

Not only do Filipinos skewer and grill chicken intestine, they also do the same to chicken gizzard. In Filipino cuisine, nothing goes to waste. Balunbalunan has a chewier, more rubbery texture than isaw, slightly resembling that of squid. But like isaw, it gets much of its flavor from the sauce it is brushed with during grilling, or its dipping sauce after.

Betamax

This is one that’s definitely not for the faint-hearted. Betamax, named after the black tapes of the 70’s it resembles, is grilled coagulated pork or chicken blood. Yes, you read that right. But in fact, grilled animal blood is not as repulsive as it may sound. It doesn’t possess any foul or robust taste or smell. Aside from the variety in texture, many of these grilled animal innards depend on sauces for taste.

Turon

This is a classic Filipino favorite, made by enclosing slices of saba banana and jackfruit in egg roll wrappers and deep frying them along with a generous coating of brown sugar.

Kakanin

Kakanin refers to Filipino delicacies made mainly of sticky rice. With the country’s love for rice, a long list of desserts fall under this category, and that might just need a separate article to explain it altogether. Keep an eye out for these especially during Christmas time. The best kakanin are the ones they sell outside churches after the late night masses held during the weeks approaching Christmas.

Sorbetes

Sorbetes or “dirty ice cream” (dubbed as such for being sold in the streets, and not necessarily mean a lack in cleanliness), is Filipino ice cream sold from colorful wooden carts. Though there’s still the usual chocolate, mostly Filipino flavors are available such as ube (purple yam), queso (cheese), mango, and coconut. Have it the Filipino way and opt to have it served in a burger bun instead of a regular cone or cup.

Read more: Explore typical breakfast in the Philippines

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