On a Joy Ride in Mumbai Namaste City Tour unveils Mumbai and all its intriguing facets for the visitor who craves to discover the metropolis in comfort Mumbaikars have a love-hate relationship with their frenetic city. But Ms Naini Mehta, a travel agent, and Mr Kunal Vahalia, a software engineer, view it through rose-tinted spectacles and want visitors to share their positive take on the metropolis. The duo has launched Namaste City tour, customised, deluxe tours of Mumbai that showcase the commercial capital of the country in its many avatars. Here one finds history in stone marching towards the present; colonial architecture etched against a gun-metal sky while modern towers of chrome and steel spook the heavens. Some of the country's finest and most innovative boutiques and malls, and

happening restaurants, bar-lounges, cafes, and art galleries are rooted here and impart a world class feel to the city. Mehta and Vahalia take tourists for a spin in a chauffeur-driven car with a certified Government of India guide (take your pick from an English, French, Spanish, German speaking guide) who not only points out the sights but strolls with the visitor, imparts nuggets of information and gives deep insights ranging from the historic, socio economic and religious, to the gourmet scene in the city. In the process the guide in his varied persona of friend, philosopher and guide helps the visitor to build up a cache of memories. The duo's bill of fare is extensive. Woutd you like a spin around the city in a Mercedes or a Rolls Royce? Embark on a shopping spree in Chor Bazaar or Colaba Causeway? gourmet tour anyone? What about a half day blitzkrieg of the city or a full day one with lunch at an Indian restaurant thrown in? The spiritually inclined can opt for a temple tour with a vegetarian lunch and on the threshold of marriage coutd plump for a trousseau shopping spree. Forays beyond the city are also popular such as the hot-selling Elephanta tour or the ones to Kanheri Caves or to Borivali National Park. The two business partners assess the needs of the client and suggest the itinerary that woutd be most suitable. On one occasion a lady on a no-time-to-dither itinerary asked to see just two or three sights that woutd give her a feel for the city. Mehta and Vahalia handpicked three that woutd fit in with her time constraints and she returned to her home country satisfied that she had seen Mumbai. Another gourmand wanted to merely sample Bade Miyan's kebabs while one overseas businessman wanted to check out the hotels in the city. The two have also taken some guests on a squished local train ride and on a lurching but joyous BEST bus ride as well as given them a glimpse of Dhobi Ghat and the legendary dabbawalas. The permutations and combina tions are many, considering that this is Mehta and Vahalia's city of birth and they know its nooks and crannies intimately. Both have converted their passion into an additional business where they say they refuse to cut corners and have their client's best interests in mind...in terms of where they are taken to shop or wine or dine. So committed are the two business partners to the company they launched last December, they even field inquiries as late as midnight! Mumbai is also the heart of the country's prolific Hindi film industry where everything is larger-than-life from star-crossed lovers to muscled heroes who can beat up any number of villains! The duo can take you to watch dream merchants churn out celluloid fantasies in the stardust-spangled Film City. So embark on a dream tour of Mumbai where fantasy and reality make strange bedfellows and experience the sights, sounds and inimitable fragrance of the city by the bay...buzzing with opportunity and pregnant with possibility. For more information email: visitus@namastecitytour. com or call +91 or 022-23888711. Websiet : www.namastecitytour.com.