The Taj Mahal Hotel stood just beyond the ferry's wheelhouse window

The ferry ride from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island takes about an hour each way. On the outbound journey, excitement builds in anticipation of visiting a UNESCO World Heritage site. But on the return trip, there is little to do except wait as Mumbai’s shoreline slowly comes back into view.

Fortunately, the sea remained calm, making for a smooth ride—but onboard, the real challenges were the relentless sun and the creeping drowsiness that set in as the ferry swayed rhythmically over the water.

To pass the time, I pulled out a map and studied our route. Elephanta Island is situated in Mumbai Harbor, but I noticed something interesting—the island is actually much closer to the opposite shore than it is to the Gateway of India. This made me wonder: Wouldn’t it be faster to access Elephanta from the other side of the bay?

In recent years, Mumbai’s infrastructure has expanded rapidly, with large bridges now spanning the harbor, improving connectivity across the city. With these developments, perhaps the way tourists reach Elephanta Island will evolve too, offering more efficient routes in the future.

Just as these thoughts drifted through my mind, a familiar sight emerged beyond the bow of the ferry—the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. A symbol of Mumbai’s grandeur, this iconic luxury hotel draws countless visitors, whether or not they stay the night.

I wasn’t a guest, yet seeing its silhouette against the skyline sparked an unexpected feeling of nostalgia, as if I were returning home—not just to Mumbai, but to the unmistakable energy of the city itself.

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