En Route from London to Bombay.

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

En Route from London to Bombay.

It would be about 7.30 am (GMT)—local London time—when I landed in London at the end of the first leg of my return to Bombay from Los Angeles, California. After a light breakfast (a snack service, really, as gone are those days when you received a hot Full English Breakfast on British airlines even in Economy), I was ready to spend four hours in London’s Heathrow airport (Terminal 3). Naturally, I browsed through the shops and ended up making one wild purchase at Jo Malone (maybe my favotite store ever). I bought their most popular product—their annual Advent calendar. This is a hamper of 25 goodies, one for each day of Advent (starting from Dec 1). You open up one window each day throughout the month of December and are rewarded for your pains with a piece of candy or a toy (if you are a child) or a cosmetic (if you are a grown up). Many British companies have begun making these Advent calendars for Adults (although the practice originated with children). Jo Malone’s Advent Calendar flies out of the stores as soon as they hit them—because the value of the goodies contained in it far exceeds the retail cost paid up front. I have to say that, in the past, the calendar was much better: there was always a full sized bottle of perfume on the last day (on Christmas Day). This year, it is only a candle (and that too is not full size). But, all things considered, this is something I have wanted to purchase for years—but it was always sold out by the time I scented a whiff of its existence. This will provide my perfume needs for a whole year—which is why I am glad I indulged fully in a bit of retail therapy. So, all said, it was a very judicious purchase. I paid for it, had it wrapped up and left waiting for me. I told the shop assistant I would pick it up when it came time to board my flight.

Till then, I continued browsing in all the designer stores. I loved the fact that autumnal colors are gracing every shop window: there were warm oranges and yellows in the carves at Hermes, Cartier, Burberry and Gucci and the same shades at the handbag shops such as Mulberry and Chanel. Westerners certainly take Autumn very seriously as it calls for a complete change in wardrobe. It put me in mind of the annual wardrobe overhaul I used to do at the end of summer each year while in Connecticut as I put away my summer clothes and brought my cashmeres and silks out of storage to begin use for one more year. It was always such a fun time for me.

About two hours later, boarding for my flight was announced. I picked up my large and very heavy Jo Malone package and headed to the gate where all went smoothly. I had an aisle seat about which I was very pleased and as most of the flight would be spent sleeping, I was glad I would not be disturbing my seat companions each time I wished to stretch my legs. I watched three more movies in-flight (barely getting any sleep myself): Black Bag, Baby Girl and another whose name I do not remember.

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Landing in Bombay, India—Home Sweet Home.

And then, before I quite knew it, it was 7.30 am IST (local Bombay time) and time to make our descent into Bombay. Very quickly, I was clearing Customs and Immigration, getting my pre-paid taxi and arriving at my home in Bandra. Much as I had loved my travels, it felt so good to be back home again—in my own flat, showering in my own bathroom and crashing on my own bed. Needless to say, I was out like a light.

Thanks for following me on this long and adventurous journey. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed these scribbles. Until the road rises up to greet me, stay well…and happy wandering yourself!