Bit of a Blog : Rhapsody : B2B : Singapore - Dubai - Istanbul : May 3rd 2015

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Now enjoying reading your blog from the beginning, Linda. I tried while onboard but it took too long for the pictures to appear. Enjoy the second half of your cruise

Gosh Sue what a time we had eh? Thanks for everything!! x

You know that feeling of concentrating on something and thinking you've seen something out of the corner of your eye? A large bird just flew by.... white I think... and earlier on my walk this morning there was a butterfly / moth at the stern on deck 10 and then another (?) right up forward.... stowaways?

Progressive Trivia this morning.... not too bad... 44 and huîtres amongst my contributions. Failed on the year Dirty Dancing was released....

Caught a nap in the Solarium. Lunched in WJ. So engrossed in my book I missed the dolphins :(

Our passports are being returned. Upper decks today, lower decks tomorrow. They will contain a landing card. Immigration will be ashore in Ashdod on Tuesday. There is concern amongst some about having Israeli stamps in their passports. Mine is loaded with them already. Wonder how that will go down in Turkey.......

Today's Compass

DAY 6 RH Cruise Compass, At Sea, May 22.indd.pdf

It is to my chagrin that I didn't take a better image of the Cathedral across the road : Se Cathedral, dedicated to St Catherine, is the largest church in India.

The base of the Cross

On our way to the heritage district of Fontainhas – this is a residential area, the Latin quarter of Panjim where the traditional colourful houses of the Catholic and Hindu community are still preserved.

The place has a very Mediterranean feel to it.... hardly surprising really

Executions.....

We head to a Hindu Temple with views over the city..... we pass aparments for Govt employees

The Hanuman Mandir

We are driven to town and whilst the walk to the market was only 10 minutes the heat was stifling. I take pictures along the walk to remind myself of the route for the return.

From the outside you cannot tell how large the interior is

I am determined to visit a fish market having been unable to visit the one yesterday.

It's not looking good

I find it but it's way too crowded for me to navigate

We head back to the ship (I've been into the local Govt approved shop and purchased nothing)

I have been after this shot all day and I still failed..... EVERYWHERE is Vodafone signage....

I wanted to catch this lady's saree.... it had such vivid colours

You can't enter the port unless you are a registered tour operator.... people who have taken taxis have to hitch a ride from the port gates to the ship. This guest is on crutches....

I have many more pics from Goa but have pared them down. Was an absolutely amazing tour.

Will get on with uploading Mumbai.....

Why I shouldn't post when tired..... wanted to get to the theatre for a film...

Here's that image

We are still under Safe Haven rules though our speed is very tame compared to what it was..... 16.4kts..... I think it ends tonight.... was wrong earlier....

Uploading from my room worked for a bit but isn't now....

Gosh Sue what a time we had eh? Thanks for everything!! x

 

We certainly did☺

 

This was one of our best cruises and definitely the most friendly ever. What memories your photos are bringing back! The only thing they fail to show is just how very hot and humid it was.

From a friend, in my words: Unable to sleep I turned on the TV to see the ship pic.... there was a very bright light heading towards the ship..... turned to the location channel and we had slowed right down to 7kts. Headed up on deck.... a boat had pulled up alongside and I saw large black bags being transferred off the ship. There were 2 people on the deck of that boat that had no markings..... I didn't actually see people get off but when it pulled away there were 4.

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I have my passport back.

2 stamps from India on facing page to Visa, arrival & departure; 2 stamps from UAE entry & exit; 2 stamps in Arabic origin not known on say 'Valid less than 48 hours and another says valid for 30 days stay from arrival; 2 stamps from Oman, Sultan Qaboos port entry & exit; 2 from Salalah, entry and exit.

There is also a Visit Permit for Israel valid for 3 days from entry from the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority.

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Someone asked earlier about the 'library'. Definitely bring your own. I have finished the books I brought with and the choice there currently is dire.....

Here's today's Compass

DAY 7 RH Cruise Compass, At Sea, May 23.indd.pdf

We have docked. They are trying to fix a walkway....

The terminal is quite a long way away

I think the task is doomed to failure

A walk around deck

We have to go through face to face again on board

Breakfast fail..... this is meant to be GF French toast

We have had one of these for each port in India

I have made a wonderful friend in Laura the past cruise and this. She posted these words on Mumbai and they say everything I would about our day (there is no way to describe how humid and hot the brilliant day was) :

What a wonderful day in Mumbai!!!! Three cheers to Mumbai Magic for partnering with Akanksha Founation, a non profit that works in children's education and hires and trains young people between 16-20 to become guides and help finance their college education. This was one of the BEST tours I've been on and all run by our 20 year old guide and two trainees. This tour was part of an ongoing mentorship program helping some pretty amazing students. The day started with a walk through Mumbai and seeing all of the highlights including the gate, the Taj hotel, the college, Ghandi's house, Prince of Wales Museum, Dhoby Ghat (laundry for Mumbai) and UNESCO World Heritage site the Queen Victoria train station. Along the way we managed to accomplish this with authentic transportation including taxis, buses, and trains. We were also treated to some local dishes at a restaurant called Swati. Our guide chose the dishes for us and they were fabulous!!! I left Mumbai having had one of the best tour experiences of my life and having been part of helping these young, intelligent, self starters towards a better life. Doesn't get better than this!!

Our wonderful guide

One of his lovely friends

There are no tuk-tuks in Mumbai

Have just heard that we will be passing Quantum as she heads south down the Red Sea as we progress North to the Suez Canal. Around 2115 tonight to our Starboard side. What fun.

Huge balloons are being hawked....

Mumbai Gate

I was asked for my photograph to be taken with this lovely lady so I reciprocated

That's the Taj Mahal hotel behind us

We continue our walkabout

A rather lovely Art Deco Hotel

I've just spotted the duplicated pic from earlier..... sorry...... the terminal in Mumbai is too far from the ship for the gangway to reach.... we end up disembarking from a lower deck

I finally updated the laptop yesterday; I'd been putting it off..... working so much better today..... d'oh

I hate the way the Art Auctioneer has to come over on all the loudspeakers..... that should be the prerogative of the Captain only. I don't even object to Katie with her 'Bingo! Bingo! Bingo!' But the other day I couldn't sit here in the nice and sometimes quiet D lounge as 'Ty' was next door rattling on. And I know his name. Why do I know his name? Because he yells it each announcement.

/rant over

Mumbai Police HQ

We have to cross this thoroughfare...... it reminds me of Hyde Park Corner or L'etoile in Paris..... there's a knack to stepping boldly out with your arm raised at right angles to your shoulder and with palm flattened towards oncoming traffic then keep going regardless.

The museum grounds

Trees with painted trunks are protected. Fine for chopping them down : death.

The Art Deco cinema, The Regal; the first film to be shown here was the Laurel and Hardy movie The Devil's Brother in 1933.

Elphinstone College, part of Mumbai University, named for the departing Governor

David Sassoon (1792 – 1864) was the treasurer of Baghdad between 1817 and 1829. He became the leader of the Jewish community in Bombay (now Mumbai) after Baghdadi Jews emigrated there following persecution. He was a leading trader of cotton and opium in China.

Watson's Hotel, India's oldest surviving cast iron building. Now long past its former glory. The story goes that an invitation only event was to take place at the magnificent hotel it was then and Indian industrialist Jamsetji Tata received an invite. There was a sign that said 'No Indians or dogs' and he was ejected. He went on to build the magnificent Taj Hotel on the waterfront.

You're never far from a cow in Mumbai it seems

The University central buildings

The Oval, a 22 acre recreational area where political and religious activities are banned