- Published on
Today we're in Port Blair, Andaman Islands - the islands belong to India. This is a new stop - the ship cancelled our 3 days in Myanmar due to the unrest there. Port Blair is a small community but bustling, lots of tuk tuks and people. We decided to go to Corbyn's Cove Beach, described as an island must see. The beach was okay, we couldn't swim because of large swells due to a coming storm. There were some services and the beach would normally have lots of water sports available. Sadly it was adjacent a garbage dump.
We had a nice time nonetheless. Adrian had our tuk tuk driver stop at a bar for a beer on our return trip to the ship - the bar was downstairs, below street level and full of only men. I felt a bit out of place but noone said anything - haha.
We returned to the ship mid-afternoon. At 5 pm we were invited to our friends, Steve and Mary's for wine tasting and treats. We had a fabulous time and staggered home sometime after 8pm.
We had a nice time nonetheless. Adrian had our tuk tuk driver stop at a bar for a beer on our return trip to the ship - the bar was downstairs, below street level and full of only men. I felt a bit out of place but noone said anything - haha.
We returned to the ship mid-afternoon. At 5 pm we were invited to our friends, Steve and Mary's for wine tasting and treats. We had a fabulous time and staggered home sometime after 8pm.
- Published on
- Published on
Another sea day and another wine tasting ... and so it goes!
- Published on
Since Adrian and I have both been to Colombo before we decided to spend our second day here at the beach. We rented a Tuk Tuk and went to the Mount Lavinia Beach - the best beaches are on the opposite coast but this beach was closest to the ship. Nice sand, sadly lots of garbage and too big a surf to actually swim. Lovely beach to walk in the water. After several hours at the beach we headed back to the ship - time for a shower. We got cleaned up and headed to afternoon tea. We haven't been to tea for a while and today's is a special Coronation Tea, complete with big screen coverage from the Coronation of King Charles.
- Published on
The word of the day in Colombo is Tuk Tuk. Tuk Tuk's are one of the main modes of tourist and local transportation. We arrived in Colombo after lunch today and tried to go for a walk, every few feet another TukTuk driver stopped to chat and explain why we needed to do an city tour for $5 US. Walking seemed to be a completely foreign concept. After about an hour - we finally gave in and did the tour - visiting the main parliament buildings, temples, lake and of course the requisite shopping opportunities. The Tuk Tuk drivers get a commission for bringing people to jewelry and other shops - where you can just look - you're lucky if you can get out without buying something in these very high pressure sales places. Today and tomorrow are holidays here - no alcohol is sold and many stores are closed.
The weather was in the low 30's and very humid - we returned to the ship late afternoon to change and go out again for dinner. The city was all lit up for the holidays, magical at night. We took another Tuk Tuk to a century old hotel and city landmark 1894, Galle Face Hotel. We ate in the hotel's Cuban restaurant, right by the water, with the lights of the city in view.
The weather was in the low 30's and very humid - we returned to the ship late afternoon to change and go out again for dinner. The city was all lit up for the holidays, magical at night. We took another Tuk Tuk to a century old hotel and city landmark 1894, Galle Face Hotel. We ate in the hotel's Cuban restaurant, right by the water, with the lights of the city in view.
- Published on
Another beautiful day in India. Adrian headed into town with our great friends Steve and Mary. I sadly had my second cold/sinus issue so I stayed in the cabin. Fortunately Nancy Margeson and I were in Cochin together in November 2018 so I didn't miss too much.
Adrian took some great photos and did some shopping - today he got two custom made shirts in about an hour and visited another spice market - he brought me back some delicious cashews.
Adrian took some great photos and did some shopping - today he got two custom made shirts in about an hour and visited another spice market - he brought me back some delicious cashews.
- Published on
Sunny warm day in Mangalore! We took the ship's shuttle to the City Centre Mall, this one actually in the city centre. After walking around the city core for a couple hours we decided to return to the mall. We actually did some shopping, I found a couple of great linen dresses and Adrian found a couple of shirts. The highlight of the day though was an authentic Rajasthan lunch. We found a fabulous restaurant on the top floor of the mall - no menu, they only serve one thing. They also provided the tourists with traditional hats to wear for the meal, creating a fabulous photo op. The food was delicious, some too hot for me, I am trying to acclimatize my palate, but Adrian of course loved it all. The meal was served with water, fresh mango juice, milk and several forms of bread to help with the heat.Signature Rajasthani dishes include Dal Baati Churma, Panchratna Dal, Papad ro Saag, Gatte ro Saag.
- Published on
Great day at the beach in Goa, India. We found a good beach with a resort that gave us a good day rate. This gave us access to the beach, the hotel pool, umbrellas, loungers, towels, bathrooms and lunch. There were 9 of us from the ship enjoying the 35 degree weather.
The port in Goa had a band on hand for our arrival. The resort was lovelier than the exterior might suggest. The beach was great - if not terribly clean, lots of garbage. Water was very warm but we chose to swim in the pool.
The resort was offering a special on a bucket of beer - 3 large beer for about $8, lunch was a buffet and I even managed to find something to eat even with the Indian spicy heat. Adrian of course loves the spice, me not so much.... after 4 1/2 hours on the beach we headed back to the ship for a nap - amazing how tired one can get doing nothing in the hot sun.
The port in Goa had a band on hand for our arrival. The resort was lovelier than the exterior might suggest. The beach was great - if not terribly clean, lots of garbage. Water was very warm but we chose to swim in the pool.
The resort was offering a special on a bucket of beer - 3 large beer for about $8, lunch was a buffet and I even managed to find something to eat even with the Indian spicy heat. Adrian of course loves the spice, me not so much.... after 4 1/2 hours on the beach we headed back to the ship for a nap - amazing how tired one can get doing nothing in the hot sun.
- Published on
Today we decided to walk around Mumbai. Turns out the ship was docked pretty close to everywhere we wanted to go. We walked some of the waterfront - ending up at one of the many slums before we decided to turn back.
Mumbai is full of contrasts, slums a few blocks from the Taj Palace Hotel - scaffolding still made from bamboo, next to modernish container port. We traveled a similar route to yesterday, even enjoying a coffee in the Taj and lunch at Leopold's again. The city was busier today, more people and more traffic. It feels like everyone is on the move - So many cabs - everyone uses them, the blue cabs have air conditioning and the black cabs don't. The train station serves 7 million people a day!
Today was a h0liday of some sort and families were out enjoying the day. The women were dressed in the most gorgeous saree's. Groups of friends were out obviously enjoying each other's company.
Also of note - Mumbai is dry today - yesterday we could have a beer with our lunch, not so today.
We had some fun today taking pictures of signs - they're so interesting in foreign places - Adrian even found one "Rustico" which he took a picture of to pay homage to his beloved Rustico Harbour.
Adrian loves the heat and I am continuing to melt. I am trying to embrace the humidity and my profuse sweating as a free sauna and therefore good for my skin, not quite there yet.
Mumbai is full of contrasts, slums a few blocks from the Taj Palace Hotel - scaffolding still made from bamboo, next to modernish container port. We traveled a similar route to yesterday, even enjoying a coffee in the Taj and lunch at Leopold's again. The city was busier today, more people and more traffic. It feels like everyone is on the move - So many cabs - everyone uses them, the blue cabs have air conditioning and the black cabs don't. The train station serves 7 million people a day!
Today was a h0liday of some sort and families were out enjoying the day. The women were dressed in the most gorgeous saree's. Groups of friends were out obviously enjoying each other's company.
Also of note - Mumbai is dry today - yesterday we could have a beer with our lunch, not so today.
We had some fun today taking pictures of signs - they're so interesting in foreign places - Adrian even found one "Rustico" which he took a picture of to pay homage to his beloved Rustico Harbour.
Adrian loves the heat and I am continuing to melt. I am trying to embrace the humidity and my profuse sweating as a free sauna and therefore good for my skin, not quite there yet.
- Published on
Great day in Mumbai - our dock location leaves a bit to be desired, but the first passengers heading to immigration were greeted by local dancers etc. The authorities took a long time to clear the ship and then we had to do face to face immigration checks - which took a lot of time too! So while we docked today around 7:30 am we didn't off the ship until almost 11:30am.
We found a great cab driver just inside the port and headed out - Adrian and I have both been to Mumbai before so we have already been to many of the must see spots.
Our driver took us to see the train station and municipal buildings followed by the spice and fruit market. We found a great place to stock up on curry and chai as well as getting to walk through the market. Huge array of spices, nuts, and fruit and lots of humanity. Mumbai has 22 Million people and counting, it's a very busy city, lots of people, lots of traffic and not so many rules in place to keep everyone safe.
We drove along Marine drive and had a stop to get a picture of Mumbai's waterfront. Later we visited a souvenir shop, very high end, where Adrian could have ordered a custom made jacket or shirts - delivered to ship in 6 hours.
From here we went to Leopold's for lunch, famous and historic cafe, since 1871. After a wonderful lunch we walked to the Taj Hotel for a cup of coffee and stopped by the famous gates of Mumbai for a photo.
Mumbai is a cacophony of sounds (honking horns), smells and people. Adrian describes it as an assault on the senses - we had a great time soaking in the atmosphere.
We found a great cab driver just inside the port and headed out - Adrian and I have both been to Mumbai before so we have already been to many of the must see spots.
Our driver took us to see the train station and municipal buildings followed by the spice and fruit market. We found a great place to stock up on curry and chai as well as getting to walk through the market. Huge array of spices, nuts, and fruit and lots of humanity. Mumbai has 22 Million people and counting, it's a very busy city, lots of people, lots of traffic and not so many rules in place to keep everyone safe.
We drove along Marine drive and had a stop to get a picture of Mumbai's waterfront. Later we visited a souvenir shop, very high end, where Adrian could have ordered a custom made jacket or shirts - delivered to ship in 6 hours.
From here we went to Leopold's for lunch, famous and historic cafe, since 1871. After a wonderful lunch we walked to the Taj Hotel for a cup of coffee and stopped by the famous gates of Mumbai for a photo.
Mumbai is a cacophony of sounds (honking horns), smells and people. Adrian describes it as an assault on the senses - we had a great time soaking in the atmosphere.
