Beyond the silhouettes writhing along the seashore floated a ferry bound for Elephanta Island

I had set out to enjoy afternoon tea at the iconic Taj Mahal Hotel—only to realize I had made a crucial mistake. I had arrived in shorts. This is one of Mumbai’s most prestigious hotels, where even afternoon tea comes with a dress code. As expected, I was promptly stopped at the entrance by a staff member who firmly told me, "That won’t do."

Just as I was about to give up, she unexpectedly offered a solution. "We can lend you a pair of trousers," she said kindly. Thanks to this unexpected kindness, I was able to borrow a pair and proceed to indulge in the full Taj Mahal Hotel afternoon tea experience.

Inside, the hotel was nothing short of magnificent. The lavishly decorated lobby and grand halls felt like a world apart from the city outside. The afternoon tea was elegantly arranged, each dish crafted with refined flavors. But what truly caught my attention was the impeccable English spoken by the Indian staff. Their crisp Queen’s English was so polished that it felt as though I had been transported to Britain itself—an undeniable remnant of India’s colonial past.

Looking out the window, I was met with a striking contrast. Beyond the hotel’s opulence lay the bustling streets of Mumbai—crowds filling the seaside promenade, silhouetted against the backdrop of the Arabian Sea. In the distance, a ferry to Elephanta Island moved steadily across the water. The juxtaposition of the hotel’s quiet elegance and the vibrant chaos outside left a lasting impression.

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