The Gateway

If you are a photographer, India is a dream, a photographers paradise.  It was a perfectly clear sunny day when we embarked on a day long tour of Mumbai.  This is our first visit to this city.  We arrived by air just after our overland visit to the Taj.  No time to rest on this cruise, for sure.  Mumbai is a mix of everything from the uber rich to the desperately poor.  It is high energy without stopping for a rest.  While here, you get caught up in energy of the crowds, the craziness of the traffic, and the exciment of many things to see and do.  Eat, shop, wander and get lost in the hoards is what to do here. The first thing I noticed was the crowds.  Crowds (20 million plus) and traffic are a good description of what India is all about. But there is much more to India then that.  India is 1/3 the size of the US with 3 times the population.  

No Words, No Photo



..... Could Ever Do It Justice

How do you spell Magnificent?  It is spelled Taj Mahal.   No words, no photo could do it justice nor capture the beauty of the Taj or the feeling you have as you just sit and take it in from a tiny bench on her grounds. We parked ourselves right in front of the Taj, on a bench,  just as the sun was rising.  The magnificence of this monument is spellbinding.  It really is perfect.  From its history and its beauty I could have sat there for hours, just enjoying being in her presence.  We  had a great time on our overland trip to Agra.  We boarded a charter plane with 94 of our fellow cruisers in Cochin.  Three hours later we landed at the Military base in Agra, a stones throw from the Taj.  How perfect is that?   Even though the original plans changed from two days in Agra to a one-day-see-it-all- in the sweltering 115 degree heat, we braved it all, did it all and can now say seen it, done it and are very very happy we did. 

Back to India

Cochin, meaning harbor or small sea, is a vibrant city on the southwest coast of India.  Yes, we are back in India once again.  Cochin is the second most important city on the west coast after Mumbai. In our tour around the city we could see the influence of past visitors and conquerors to Cochin (or Kochi) the Portuguese, the Chinese, the Arabs, the Dutch and the Brits. This little port was part of the spice route trading its beautiful spices vanilla, cardamon, pepper, cinnamon and cloves to the world.  They also traded precious stones, diamonds, ivory and sandlewood.  In another time this area was considered rich for all the money and trade that was exchanged here.  At one time this area prospered.  At one time this was the center of the Ancient World.   Our guide told us that they are building a new port and when they do Cochin will rival Singaore and Dubai as a port city.   Nothing but dreaming big here.

Easter in Colombo

We cancelled Gallee due to weather and waves..... so on to Colombo we go......

Easter!  We were not forgotten... David 'hid' the chocolate eggs...he says..... I did not buy that.

Polonnaruwa

(seven story) Royal Palace (Polonnaruwa 846 AD-1302AD)

This morning we woke up to a beautiful blue sky, a lovely green island and some CLEAN AIR as we cruised  into the port city of Trincomalee. This harbor city is on the northeast side of the tiny island of Sri Lanka.   The religious mixture of this area is Hindu, Christian, Muslim, and Buddhists. The homes are tiny, brightly painted, and well kept. There is not a lot of money but from what we were able to see, people had the basics. Ten years ago the government issued a plan to clean up the island by paying people to pick up liter and recycle. Garbage is now picked up twice a week. Today there is a neighbor watch and a fine if you do not comply.  After our visit to Madras,  I needed something almost normal.

A Window View

Chennai(Madras) is the largest city in Southern India and our first visit to see a country we have heard so much about.   People love it or hate it.  Chennai is the fourth largest city in India with a population of 8 million.  India is 1/3 the size of the US with 3X the population. Crowded. There are 2,000 different ethnic groups, 22 official languages and 1,659 dialects in India. 50% of the population is under the age of 25. 900 million people earn less then $2  a day, and out of this group 800 million earn less then 50 cents a day.  I saw many a watermelon stand along the two lane highway.  I figured 3 watermelons a day would bring in $1. It you make more then 86 cents a day in the city you fall above the poverty level. School is not mandatory.  AND IF you go to school, on a daily basis, 50% of the teachers are no shows.  Only 13% of the sewage is treated.  80% of the population have no bank account.  These are just a few of the statistics we learned today.  Without saying,  I would never dream to think I could go inside the mind of anyone who lives here.  This is what they know and their life.  I could not live here.  I would not survive.

Woo

All the buses lined up to await our arrival in Chennai, India.   "Incredible India!  The Mantra to Woo Tourist!"  I have heard the phrase Incredible! India before... Woo the Tourist?  Well, OK, I am ready, woo me.

New Places / New Friends



Batu  Cave

This part of the World Cruise is a port intensive segment.  We have never been to this part of the world.  We have 7 sea days and 19 port days with an overland trip to see the Taj.  Add intense heat and humidity to tours lasting 5-10 hours in length, we come back to the ship pretty wiped, hit the shower and head to bed.  Good thing our only decision is to dress and go down for dinner or have it delivered, no dishes to wash.  But the fun part is being here, and seeing something new, exciting and different.  Every thing on this side of the planet is very different from life at home.

Krung Thep or Bangkok

We arrived at the Thailand port of Laem Chabang at 10 AM.  We lost about 300 passengers and gained another 300 making for another full ship on this fourth segment of the World Cruise. After lunch we headed for a 2 hour bus trip to Bangkok, the biggest city in Thailand. Our plan was to spend the night at the Shangri-la 5 star Hotel, enjoy the overnight and take in an easy tour. The Prince of Brunei joined us. He waved at me as he passed but I did not have my camera ready.  Talk about security. I watched as the security force inspected all of his cars for bombs then had the dogs do a double check. 

Last year when we were here, the red shirts were demonstrating. We just missed the big clash. On our return, the city was holding a remembrance for the 26 killed a year ago today. During the month after our visit 1,800 were injured in various anti government clashes. Our guide would not talk politics or about the difference in views between the red and the yellow shirts. He was not allowed to. He only said he believed in the yellow shirt view. Elections are coming up soon and things will be resolved he said. This silenced the bus.

I Wonder Why

My new friend...Thank goodness for glass



Tunnels and Radishes

Some ports are more exciting to sail into then others.  It takes a few hours to cruise down the Mekong River to reach the port in Saigon.  As a result I had plenty of time on my balcony to watch life styles go by thay are very different from my own.   First off, I love the sunrise and how the sun danced on the water behind the ship today.  Along the way I watched container ships, fishing boats, house boats, and ferries meander by on these sad to say polluted waters.  It was interesting to people watch as they began their day waking up, going fishing or starting a long journey to deliver cargo.

No Halong Bay today but Hue Tomorrow

We were really looking forward to revisiting Halong Bay and taking the junk boat out for a few hours.  We loved it last year.   From what I understand a junk boat sank last year and people died.  Maybe the cruise line did not want to take the risk.  This year, the ship did not offer a tour of the place that merits a UNESCO World Heritage nod.  Some went out on their own and rented one.  Since it was chilly and foggy we decided to just try the shore excursion, see the countryside this time.  All night long the fog horn blasted.  I woke up early anyway to watch the sail in, hoping for another glimpse of all this natural beauty.  But is was to foggy to see anything.  It is a beautiful site to see all the islands of dolomite and limestone sticking out of the water. If you look on the blog from last year there are pictures.