Early Morning Sail-Away...

Sunday February 16. Warmish, but cooler now. Four more sleeps.

Our day, written as it happened.

3:30 AM. A notice under the door in our cabin late last night advised us that The Indian Authorities had denied any crew or passengers going ashore today in Mumbai. We can only assume it is a result of overcautiousness on the virus concerns. I am sure we will be advised throughout the day regarding this situation. I was up at 5:10 this morning wanting to say goodbye to Mumbai, Fellette also got up and made tea.

**. **. **

9:15AM. The captain announced that we have a crew member on board who had a temperature, he is on board in isolation on the ship for 14 days. The medical staff on the ship says he has temperature and a cold. The big Wigs in New Delhi, the Capital, advised that as a result nobody can get off the ship. So the Captain decided to sail early in case they went further and quarantined the whole ship for two weeks.

...however, we still have to clear Indian Immigration in India because no port will accept a ship that has not legally cleared its last port. That Port is Porbandar, where we will be early tomorrow morning. Hopefully we will clear India then and get the hell out of there and sail to Dubai, where, the captain says at this point in time, we can disembark.

There is a little apprehension regarding tomorrow morning in Porbandar from passengers as you would expect, all in good fun in true British resolve. Hopefully the ship and the authorities will have come to some arrangement so we can just keep on going and not 'quarantined'. Of all the places in the world to be parked on a ship for two weeks I don't think I could come with a worse positioning...south of Pakistan and Iran, in the gulf of Oman!

**. **. **

4:45 PM. An announcement that 'The Indian Authorities' have asked for a Mandatory Temperature Check of all passengers and crew, as a prelude before landing in Porbandar tomorrow. So, off we went in an orderly manner down to the lounge to get that done. This time it was a probe in the ear. [I certainly hope the next check is not any lower on the body!!!]

9:50 PM. Off to bed, no more news, and that is good.

The above is good news I think, unless we have a few high temperature readings on board.

The Giant Costa Victoria, still in Mumbai as we pulled away at 6:15 AM this morning, rather than risk being stuck here. I don't think that there were too many objections on that decision!

The Finnish Captain telling us of the situation and where we stand. Tomorrow will tell the tale!
Three folks from the medical staff taking temperatures and the lady in black recording the readings.

Meanwhile...
An after-lunch cuddle by a couple of young newlyweds as we exited the restaurant today.  [Make yourself right at home folks!]  FYI the woman is on the right.                  Photo by Mr. J. Cutler.

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