Porbandar, birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. Surprisingly, it was one of the better ports in this cruise, in my humble opinion. We were not expecting much and the smell this morning when sailing in did not bode well. The smell was fish, which we soon got used to during the day. The city and area around was completely different than I expected as well as much calmer than Mumbai. There appears to be no traffic issue here.
We four were off the ship around 10:30, had our temperature checked, again, and on the busses on our very last shore excursion of this cruise. We were loaded into Tuk-Tuks at the port gate
The first stop was a fishing harbour where they were unloading their catches with all the accompanying activity. They also repair and even build these massive seagoing boats there. The working conditions for both crew, repair and building workers is deplorable, there is no other word for it. Unsafe and filthy.
It is hard to describe the day in spite of taking about 200 photos today, the most on any port. After the fishing harbour we were transported, still by Tuk_Tuk, to a wetland area where we were educated about the flamingoes that hang out there for nine months of the year. Along with many other species of birds, however birds have little interest to Fellette and I but I just enjoyed the experience of seeing the activities and how the locals interact with us and each other.
Back into the Tuk-Tuks to a small temple that was not worthy of lingering however it was also a toilet stop. Those facilities were worthy of a paragraph or two but I will waive that aspect of the day.
Next we went to The Birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, which was of interest to many. The tour groups got a bit mixed up on the way but they but got re-organized again, eventually. The guides then walked us through a very interesting series of narrow streets with vendors and locals rather interested in 40 or so old white folks winding their way through their turf. Some people found it a bit awkward I think but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I felt quite comfortable on the entire four hours but methinks Fellette could have done without this tour. Strangely, I was in heaven as a photographer as the colour and scenes continued to unfold before my eyes and two overworked cameras today.
Back on the ship around 2:45 to a good wash and a long cold beer before a tea break at 3:45.
Our table mates did not fare so well. One of them had a stumble at the pier walking to the coach and spent an hour or so in sick bay getting patched up. The other couple had a terrible guide and a Tuk-Tuk driver that got them lost and badgered them for tip, tip, tip!
The place is absolutely filthy and beggars abound. I can absolutely understand why some people dislike it so much. I have difficulty understanding why economists predict that India will be one of the emerging economic powers in the coming years. I would assume that you would have to have a populace that understands basic hygiene and does not urinate and defecate in public to be ranked a 'World Power.'
Our table mates did not fare so well. One of them had a stumble at the pier walking to the coach and spent an hour or so in sick bay getting patched up. The other couple had a terrible guide and a Tuk-Tuk driver that got them lost and badgered them for tip, tip, tip!
The place is absolutely filthy and beggars abound. I can absolutely understand why some people dislike it so much. I have difficulty understanding why economists predict that India will be one of the emerging economic powers in the coming years. I would assume that you would have to have a populace that understands basic hygiene and does not urinate and defecate in public to be ranked a 'World Power.'
Wonderful day, for some of us as tourists...
One of them lives there! Be it ever so humble.
This man has collected cow droppings, and will likely dry them and sell them for fuel or plaster in a home on a wall or floor. Or else he is taking his dried paddies somewhere to use himself, or sell. Taken from a bus at 30 miles an hour.
Mahatma Gandhi's birthplace, surrounded by a shrine to his very humble beginnings.
The actual home is a very tiny thing.
The boat building place was fascinating but a very unfriendly place for workers.
They are a combination of heavy timbers, covered in a cement of some sort.
The boats are are disgustingly crude and the conditions aboard, by our standards, are inhumane.
They say there are 5000 boats here, each with a crew of 6 or 7.
My much younger wife keeping a low profile in the shade of our Tuk-Tuk while I wander about taking photos.
Young ladies walking through the Maze at a temple.
Street scene, full of colour and life.
It is hard to see how they make a living, but they must.
Three beggar ladies outside a temple site. They badgered another walking beggar woman who came too close to their 'territory'. So foreign to our eyes and hard to understand how the country works.
Sanctuary for these more mature Western Women who possibly think, "There but by the grace of God go I!"
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