Another sea day before hitting India tomorrow morning.
Southwest of Sri Lanka at the tip of India in the Arabian Sea in the Indian Ocean. Sounds romantic doesn't it?
The ship sailed alongside a long string of very low islands this morning called The Maldives. Pronounced Muldeaves. We chugged along them for about five hours so the ones we saw are strung out along what is basically a really, really long sandbar for 40 plus miles? The average height of the islands is 1.4 meters so it will be looking for help because it will be amongst the first to be under water with rising ocean levels. It is a Muslim country that dropped out of the Commonwealth in 2016 but has just been readmitted because of 'improvements in human rights'. It has been in the news recently because of the arrest of a UK woman for wearing a bikini. You be the judge.
1. Today is a day for us to pack up again for an overnight on a house boat in the canals of Kochi. A much lighter pack this time. It is a Ship's Tour so hopefully any reservations regarding food during time on the houseboat will be put to rest. Fellette and I are not huge fans of Indian food but can live with it for a few meals.
2. The Elephant in the room: Coronavirus. We are paying attention to the world wide situation regarding the spread and areas affected. To a casual observer the spot to avoid in the Western World appears to be Vancouver where there appears to be four possible but not confirmed cases. In contrast the whole of India with a population of over 1,300,000 has a total of three. Looking at the chart, which country and city would you avoid?
The last thing we want in this world is to be anchored off of India for 14 days waiting for some country to let us ashore. Methinks we might die of air pollution and retching as the air is so bad there. We could smell Mumbai out to sea hours before we sailed in on the last visit. You may ask "Why go there again?' I answer 'Because India is Incredible!'
3. Obesity. This situation is not a North American problem, Britain has its share of grossly overweight people as well if the passengers on board are representative of Britain.
4. Morocco. Our 15 day land trip to Morocco is fast on the horizon for us four. We are very much aware of the cultural change in store for us, however, being aware and living it for two weeks is an entirely different situation. I also am not looking forward to the haggling and begging that I am sure we will encounter. We all are anxious to see different cultures and customs and being immersed in it is the best way to experience it. But, be careful for what you wish for. Do you remember the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves? I do, accent on the Forty Thieves. Sticky fingers there for sure coming up.
5. Cruising as a vacation holiday. Not for everyone for sure. Fellette and I lead what I would call a diversified life but some may call it boring: Family, Canada Ticket, Friends, The Garden and finally, Travelling. That is our life and will likely be as long as our health holds out or we lose the love for travel or gardening. We travel to relax inasmuch as we, [the Royal we] cannot seem to relax, while at home.
5. Cruising as a vacation holiday. Not for everyone for sure. Fellette and I lead what I would call a diversified life but some may call it boring: Family, Canada Ticket, Friends, The Garden and finally, Travelling. That is our life and will likely be as long as our health holds out or we lose the love for travel or gardening. We travel to relax inasmuch as we, [the Royal we] cannot seem to relax, while at home.
The word Serendipity reputedly comes from the word Serendip, which was the earlier name for Sri Lanka.
They finally got it right!
This is on the inside of the gent's toilet near the restaurant. Some have self-opening doors with taps and driers that work by sensors rather than having to touch anything. It is also well nigh well impossible to get to a dining area without somebody squirting hand sanitizer on you or self-applying it. I for one am glad to see it.
Two handsome ladies last night at the third Captain's reception.
Sunset as we walked to an outdoor dinner tonight, just Us Four.
By poolside for dinner.
Cheers!
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Tomorrow I will be doing a blog from a Houseboat in the canals of Kochin. At least I hope so. The boats do not have power but my computer will be fully charged. The internet may be a problem however if you don't see it at the appropriate time, wait a while!
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