Sunday, February 9, 2025

Customer delight

"We are not talking to each other, but we don't mind posing for you" This could be one of the captions that I could think of after clicking this sunset picture at Colaba.
They were actually posing for me, because after clicking when I started walking, they too started walking with me. Sunset is a good opportunity to click good pictures, like these kids having a lively chat while the sun goes down.
While clicking I saw this lighthouse, which came into existence in  1770.  This is situated at the prong of Colaba.
When the Portuguese occupied the island of Bombay in the 16th century they built a watchtower on the Old woman's island (Colaba)
Later it was. modified into a lighthouse by the British in 1770. It was further improved in 1800 by a powerful wick lamp.This was the first major lighthouse in British India followed by one in Madras in the same year.
After many changes in the lamp, in 2008 it got its present 70 Watt metal Halide lamp.
Not much has changed in the Marinedrive area of Mumbai. Like this font from the 50s still stands as a sign board in the area.
Some of the buildings with rounded corners which I have seen in the early 60s, still stands.
The heritage structure next to Churchgate station stands in all its glory with the tricolour and the ever present yellow taxis of Mumbai justapositioned in the front. Incidentally I found that the taxis are cheaper than the Uber.
Years have gone by but the buying and selling power of this simple flower lady remains the same (not far from the Sensex office)
The bus service by BEST keeps improving as the years go by. Like they have seperate lines for gents and ladies (ladies from the front)
In the bus I was highly impressed by the conductor's interaction with the passengers, always jovial and happy, cracking a joke here and there. One lady did not know where to alight, but had the address on her phone. The conductor took the phone from her and had a look at the address. Then he opened google map on her phone and fed in the location on the map. From the route he got the stop which was closest to her destination and issued a ticket accordingly. All this with a smile. I would call this as customer delight.

27 comments:

roentare said...

The skies are epic! Great colours

Granny Sue said...

Beautiful sunset views.
But I liked the story of the bus conductor best. What good, kind service!
I have missed your blog, so it was good to see this new post.

Anonymous said...

Always on dot with exact positions and perfect narration...๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿค—๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿฅฐ

Anonymous said...

Wow It's so beautiful

Giorgio said...

Great view of your special corner of the world!

Ananka said...

Great photos :-D

Vallypee said...

A lovely post with beautiful views. Bus drivers like that can make my day!

Liz A. said...

Looks like a lovely location.

Rajendra said...

Lovely post with beautiful pictures!!

trees said...

Within all of Mumbai's chaos and cacophony, the charm of old Bombay remains.

Anonymous said...

You have an eye for these simple things in our daily life and make us realize how beautiful they are ! - Pradeep Dundee

Shammickite said...

A kind and helpful bus driver. I can't imagine that happening often!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures

Bill said...

Stunning sunset photos. I love the story about the bus conductor, very nice and friendly driver willing to help his riders.

Anonymous said...

เคœ्เคฏो เคคुเคा เคกोเคณा ,เค•ॕเคฎेเคฐा เค†เคฃि เคตिเคšाเคฐ เค‡เคคเค•े เคญเคจ्เคจाเคŸ เค†เคนेเคค เค•ी เคช्เคฐเคค्เคฏेเค• เคซोเคŸो เค…เคช्เคฐเคคिเคฎ เคš เค†เคนे ... - Natoo

Elderberry-Rob said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Elderberry-Rob said...

I enjoyed the story of the bus conductor - that is what we call 'going above and beyond'! I haven't been in Mumbai since the 80s and remember sitting next to a snake charmer, buying an ice lolly in the market, the ice came out of a metal mould and was poured with pink syrup, and being surrounded by children (who I bought lollies for). Betty

Haddock said...

That was pretty long ago Betty. The ice lolly that you mentioned is known as Kulfi over here in India.

Anonymous said...

Love it! Interesting info about the lighthouse and the Prongs, that was new to me. - Viimala Madon

Anonymous said...

So nice to know about the good bus service in Mumbai. When will Delhi learn from them I wonder. - Sowmia

Anonymous said...

Amchi Mumbai…nostalgic

DeniseinVA said...

A very nice series of photos, thank you for sharing them.

Pooja Mahimkar said...

You have had a beautiful day in Fort. I visit the area almost daily and yet at times fail to miss these simple, beautiful moments.

Haddock said...

Thanks Pooja. It is the small and simple things that makes life interesting.

Red Rose Alley said...

That's interesting about the bus lines. We don't have that here. A lovely picture of the familiar face selling pretty flowers. Pizza by the Bay looks like a nice place. And a striking sunset in Pink hues with the watchtower in the distance.

I hope you are having pleasant February days.

~Sheri

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos especially the sunset photos and excellent narration.
George Joseph

Anonymous said...

๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿ™