At Sea

Photo  fishing boats Cochin 

 

9 June

Doesn't time fly. Sailaway last night was very picturesque and we passed a lot of the fishing boats coming back in. Someone said they were just ferrying the fish in – that there were larger boats out there and these just went out, loaded up the fish, and brought them into shore. There were great heaps of fish just sitting on the deck of a lot of them. We also passed a few pods of dolphins. We stayed up at the bow until the sun went down and ate in The Paddock. We're having an easy day today – at sea. John has contracted the Dawn Princess Lurgi and I'm just about over it – lots of coughing and sneezing happening. $20 for Codral and $7 for cough lollies in the ship's shop. Note: pack Codral. I thought about it but didn't get around to buying any. It is great to be able to sleep with the door open at night to let in fresh air. There were lots of fishing boats out there last night, a long line of lights and according to the Captain, will be a lot more tonight. Probably the ones the smaller boats ferried the fish from. There is a big swell running today but we're running with it – it's coming from the port side. Every now and then there is a big rocking of the ship when we go down a swell but not as choppy as when we're heading in to it. The wind has died down fortunately. I went to the trivia this morning, and no, we didn't win but it was reasonably civilised – no near fights. Afterwards I sat on a deck chair on the promenade deck for an hour or so (after my walk). Every now and then the ship's bow wave hit a swell coming in and there was an almighty splash. Great to watch for someone who just loves sitting and looking at the ocean. The lady sitting beside me was chatting away to a friend. She said, no she didn't go into Cochin yesterday because she heard it was dirty and, no she wouldn't be going into Mumbai because it was dirty too. She added that her husband loves looking out to sea, she didn't know why, because there's nothing out there!!!! What a joyous person!! (perhaps he's considering jumping). We're having a 'cousins' meeting today to decide what we want to do in Mumbai. Our present plan is to do a cab tour taking in the things I've decided we want to see and then, in the afternoon, but not at peak hour, do some riding on trains. There is a 'face to face' meeting with immigration and we are scheduled at 9.00. Allan and Sally, at 10.00 so it will be probably 11.00 before we get off the ship. Even though we've all got visas (or most people have) and have already been ashore in Cochin. There is a rumour that someone was denied boarding in Sydney because of lack of Indian visa – not confirmed. There are apparently about 30 people without visas. They have to front immigration anyway. Predicted temperature tomorrow is 38 degrees and humid. Had lunch with an older gentleman who said he and his wife weren't going ashore in India. They had malaria tablets but were afraid to take them because of side effects. They then couldn't go into Mumbai in case they caught malaria.

For those next year:

• definitely bring more currency – Australian and US. In Cochin, they asked for US$. The pursers desk will only give you money if you have AUD or US$ to exchange whereas, in the past, we've been able to get it out on our cruise card or out of the money machines – on Cunard. We're scratching around for cash to change. Will have to be using ATMs ashore.

• Definitely get an Indian visa.

• Bring Codral because most people (as usually happens) get the ship's cold du jour.

Thanks Sheree, Joanne and Kerry and others for your kind comments.

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