It’s a bright and summery Saturday morning and my day out is made all the more better by the chic royal gold phone nestled in my bag – the all-new Coolpad Mega 2.5D. Given that it has an 8MP front and back camera, 16GB ROM and 3GB RAM at a throwaway price of Rs 6,999, it doesn’t deserve to remain stashed in my bag. And so, I whip it out to click some pictures of Nirmal Lifestyle mall in Mulund West, Mumbai. I’m amazed with the results. The colours, light and clarity are much more than I’d expect of an 8MP camera.
I’m here to watch Rustom at PVR, starring Akshay Kumar and Ileana D’Cruz. Based on the 1959 case involving commander KM Nanavati, the film proves to be immensely gripping and I enjoy the various twists and turns in this multi-faceted murder mystery. So what else is on my agenda for the day? I plan to have a simple lunch at Dadar and then head to Bandra to explore the seaside at Bandstand, Castella de Aguada a.k.a. Bandra Fort and the adjacent Pahadi Udyan (Mountain Garden).
After the engrossing film, I brave the local trains as I do everyday, to reach Dadar from Mulund. The colourful movement of the earring stand catches my eye and I take a picture. It’s common to see vendors selling wares of different kinds in Mumbai’s trains, ranging from accessories to bags, pouches, clothing, medicines, make-up and food items.
Right outside Dadar station on the eastern side, there are a number of low-cost but popular eateries dishing out vegetarian fare. I find a table at Shubham restaurant and place an order for a tomato and union uttapam. It comes with a bowl of steaming hot, sweet and spicy sambhar and a little vati of coconut chutney. The place is abuzz with families, children and diners of all ages and backgrounds – a true microcosm of the city.
Fortified with tasty South Indian fare, I get a ticket for Bandra and board the train again, this time on the western line. It hasn’t rained a single drop and the weather remains bright and warm – a great day for photographs. I hail a rickshaw for Bandstand and ask him to stop at Mannat, Shah Rukh Khan’s bungalow. I don’t even have to see the building to know it’s his house – the bunch of excited fans clicking selfies outside the gate is proof enough.
All the seas in and around Mumbai are swollen with water in this monsoon season and Bandstand is no exception. Due to high tide, the water reaches much further inwards and I have a wonderful view of the waves crashing on the rocks. I clamber on to them like many others though we are careful not to venture into the water. I see a couple of fishermen trying their luck with long rods. Many families are busy clicking selfies and enjoying this little piece of paradise in an otherwise concrete city. As always, I fantasise about owning a house here but alas, real estate in Mumbai is atrociously expensive.
Did you know that Bandra used to be called Bandora in the 15th century? Built by the Portuguese in 1640, Castella de Aguada or Bandra Fort as it’s popularly known, is surrounded by several fresh water springs. After I’ve had my fill of the sea, I come here to photograph what remains of the fort and feast my eyes on Bandra Worli Sea Link in the distance. Some adventurous couples make their way down the rocks to reach the bottom and find some privacy! The featured image that you see at the beginning of this post is a panorama shot. Coolpad Mega 2.5D has an exceptionally good panorama feature and there is absolutely no loss of quality as long as your hand is still.
The last part of my day out with Coolpad Mega 2.5D is spent at the landscaped Pahadi Garden adjacent to the fort. Although primarily occupied by couples, the garden is beautiful with its steps and green expanses and serene views of the sea through a net. I spot a couple of foreigners seriously making notes and discussing a matter of concern. A few men loiter around aimlessly and some like me, are just enjoying the refreshing breeze and respite from the sun.
I didn’t visit Mount Mary Church on my day out but if you plan a Bandra excursion, you should definitely go. And here are the salient features of my trusted companion:
| Product name | Coolpad Mega 2.5D |
| OS Name | Android 6.0 Marshmallow |
| Screen Size | 5.5″ HD IPS Display |
| Camera Resolution | 8.0MP+8.0MP |
| Processor | MT6735P Quad Core |
| Battery Capacity | 2500mAh |
| Memory | 16GB+3GB |
| SIM | Dual-SIM (4G+4G)/Sim2 Hybrid Slot |
| Connectivity | WLAN/4G/Bluetooth |
| Colours | Royal gold/white/black |
None of the photos in this post have been edited or enhanced. What you see is what you will get with the Coolpad Mega 2.5D, priced at Rs 6,999 only and available exclusively on Amazon.in. The first flash sale is on 24th August and registrations began on 10th August. Check out this detailed review of its technical specifications.
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