UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. The island is located about 9km northeast of the Gateway of India, in the middle of Mumbai’s busy harbor.It used to be called Gharapuri but was renamed by the Portugese when they landed on the island and found a huge elephant statue. (The Portugese are also the ones who named Bombay. They saw
the wonderful bay and named it “Bom Baia”. Bombay was later, in 1995, renamed Mumbai.)We approached a beautiful, lush island with vegetation that looked like it was taken out of a picture book. As we docked at a beautiful old pier and walked unto the island, I felt for a few moments that I had gone back in time to an era when India was still the mystical place on earth. Once on shore, we walked up a substantial amount of steps to the Elephanta Caves.
The island features an amazing network of carved out rock caves, believed to have been carved out somewhere between 4th-7th century BC and are temples to the idol Shiva. In the caves, we found enormous statues of this idol, including the the famous Mahesa-murti statue which features a three headed Shiva.
We also saw another idol, which’s room we apparently we were not supposed to enter, so I am
not even going to ask about taking a picture. Not quite sure which one this is, but we saw it in another cave too that had an area that looked holding cells. We also saw a large round center area and what looked like a large drain hole. Ugh...I shudder when I think about what might have been going on there.The island also features a great amount of monkeys and as Hanna found out, do not even 
attempt to eat on the island because they will aggressively steal it right from your mouth. Fortunately, she was not bitten or scratched but the monkey stole her sandwich that she had in her mouth so quickly, we hardly saw it happen.
We returned to the pier in time to enjoy a little refreshment in a picturesque establishment before returning to the ferry.
attempt to eat on the island because they will aggressively steal it right from your mouth. Fortunately, she was not bitten or scratched but the monkey stole her sandwich that she had in her mouth so quickly, we hardly saw it happen.We returned to the pier in time to enjoy a little refreshment in a picturesque establishment before returning to the ferry.
The ferry ride home was not anywhere near as pleasant as the one 
heading out there and took nearly two hours. The combination of the incoming tide and approaching storm made the Arabian Sea just a little choppy. At a certain point, we stood up in the middle of the boat, soaked from the waves hitting overboard and hanging on with both hands because one would not have been enough to prevent possibly falling overboard. A girl from Beijing was terrified and asked me if I knew how to swim. We were glad to see the 
Gateway of India again.
heading out there and took nearly two hours. The combination of the incoming tide and approaching storm made the Arabian Sea just a little choppy. At a certain point, we stood up in the middle of the boat, soaked from the waves hitting overboard and hanging on with both hands because one would not have been enough to prevent possibly falling overboard. A girl from Beijing was terrified and asked me if I knew how to swim. We were glad to see the 
Gateway of India again. Still, looking back we both agreed we had had a wonderful day!!
Bonnie, still enjoying your adventure so much. Have an idea for you if your present goal doesn't work for you... be a writer. You have a gift,,, you keep us interested and one can nearly feel as tho they just experienced what you are going thru... thanks so much Bonnie. Miss ya tons.
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