Taj Mahal precruise, Mumbai to Bali on Voyager 20 Nov-20 Dec

[nyfeds]

Great pix and reporting, Wes! Looks like you and ida are having a trip of a lifetime! Thanks for sharing, as you always so graciously do so well! Best from Alan and me to you both!

[txladycruiser]

Awesome. I'm not getting near to a cobra that doesn't have Shelby in front of it.

[Sunviking]

Awesome. I'm not getting near to a cobra that doesn't have Shelby in front of it.

 

I so agree with you :eek:!

[Gcto]

Looks like you all have a great time. LOL about the cobra comment. Just added this trip to our list ....

Looking forward reading more.

[dabear]

Wes: DW wants to know how Ida found the shopping, what she bought and did she exceed her limit? Enjoy!

[bettywh]

WOW - you have the great officers and crew. Hope they will be on for awhile. Each picture is a new delight. Thanks so much.

[gf]

So looking forward to MORE! Thanks so much

[WesW]

nyfeds/Denise; thank you, yes we are having a blast.

TxLadycruiser/Karen & Wayne, Sunviking/Ann & Al, thanks for your kind words

dabear Ida told me to mentioned she is not finished shopping yet :( but she did get some nice Indian jewlery (inexpensive) for our nieces-- she also said see out little shops vs big shops for the better bargaining deals.

bettyW/betty, thank you.

gf/kathy, thank you.

 

 

We had a wonderful day on board the Voyager and off board in Goa, India.

 

After the mandatory (serious life boat drill, both the Capt and GM came by our Muster Station ensuring crew and pax were doing the right practice/rehearsal)

 

We then enjoyed a robust Cruise Criitc Meet & Greet. More than 25 CC couples attended along with key members of the Voyager crew; Franck Galzy, GM; Paul Reynolds, CD; Terese (Social Hostess). Pls see pix below the brief summary of our Highlights of Goa India excursion below.

 

From L to R, Anneke (new CC recruit), Franck Galzy (Voyager, GM), ezel (Ed & Ellen), theShoo (Elaine), amsh (Sheila, Aaron)

 

 

From L to R; theshoo (mark), Catluvr2(julie and ken), Azmomoa (Susan and Larry)

 

 

From L to R; delmarkdave (Dave & Marcia, new CC recruits, Steve & Wendy; Terese (Regent Social Hostess), Glorygaf(Tony), altosaxman (Tom), new CC recruit, John, kneeling L to R; altosaxman/Peg, glorygaf/Gloria.

 

 

LtoR, new cc recruit/wendy, Colonel(ret.)wes/Wes & Ida, Aussiechick7/Dale and David

 

 

LtoR, new cc recruit/Dennis, new CC recruits/Sue & Ron, Catluvr2/Julie and ken

 

 

 

We left the Voyager at 12:30 to Old Goa to visit the largest Cathedral in Asia--The Se Catehdral--has eight chapels--pix below. eWe first visited the Basilicaof Bom Jesus, jam packed as today was the ninth day of the Goan's festival of St. Goal (10day celebration). Pix also below. Next we visited the heritage Goan-Portugese mansion of Otto de Oliveira Fernandes. A beautiful home that was pet friendly (they had three dogs that mingled with Regent guests). We then went to the patio for light refreshments (i.e., Kingfisher beer) and delightful local goan music provided by a two piece combo. Pix next post.

[WesW]

Highlights of Goa pix:

 

 

 

The ten day festival of st. goa (ends tomorrow) had huge setups, this pix gives you

an idea of the scale (reminded me somewhat of a county fair xcept with significant religious

worshipping)

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Keith1010]

Wes, great photos. I am glad that you and Ida got to visit Goa. In some ways reminds me of a Pacific Ocean Island and I found it interesting with the Catholic Churches. Glad you weren't there on the day where they spray paint at you. We ere on an organized tour so didn't encounter any of that but some passengers did. I think that was in March.

 

Enjoyed the photos from the Cruise Critic Meet & Greet.

 

Continue to enjoy.

 

Keith

[tallship]

Wes-

Thx for taking us along....great pics

[Judyumcer@aol.com]

Wes, Sstill wondering if you thought the Taj Mahal was worth seeing.

[nyfeds]

Marvelous pix and reporting, Wes! Thanks for virtually taking us along, as we will not be venturing to that part of the world. Best to you and Ida from us!

[WesW]

Good morning everyone, Keith1010/Keith and Anne Marie, Tallship/Tina, Txladycruiser/Karen & Wayne. You're very welcome--sincerely our pleasure to post about the exceptional experiences we're enjoying on this fascinating SE Asia voyage.

 

Keith, we agree, Goa reminds us of our visits to the Hawian Islands--even the upbeat/fun Goa music we heard yesterday, easily takes us back to either Hawaii or any island in the French Polynesia.

 

Tina, absolutely for Ida and I our visit to the Taj Mahal was worth it--once. This iconic structure for us was even more interesting than our visit to the Pyramids in Cairo this past April. However, with the abject poverty existing everywhere (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Goa), abundant stray dogs--some well fed, some not, and experiencing IST (Indian Standard Time as altosaxman/Peg mentioned at our Cruise Critic Meet & Greet yesterday) meaning give yoursefl up to two hours delay at any time due to traffic, Indian strict rules, etc.

 

Our excursion today in New Mangalore will show us this major Indian port's highlights--including a cashew farm visit and a visit to the downtowm area--markets.

 

Tonight is the Captain's reception beginning at 6pm in the constellation threatre. The first production show, Broadway Tonight will be presented by the Jean Ann Ryan singers & dancers.

 

Off for a hamster workout (often feel like a hamster on a wheel) doing 60-90 min on the elipitical--prefer jogging/power walking outside but until we reach Columbo, Sri Lanka we are (for security reasons) in no lights outside on top deck or your veranda (first seven days of this cruise)

[Anna B.]

This is a great thread! Thank you so much, Wes for the reports and the photos...you are bringing India to life for so many of us who will probably never get there. Love the Taj Mahal pics....and the elephant ride! So glad you include all the people pics...so nice to put names and faces together. Enjoy every minute of your trip - your enthusiasm is contagious!

[rcandkc]

Probably a stupid question....with lights out on top can you see brilliant stars? I miss the old days of good star gazing.

[RachelG]

So you can't run on the track for now?! Even in day? big bummer.

[ededmd]

Tell us more about the security restriction...

 

If you prefer to wait until you are out of the area of interest, understood.

[englishusa]

 

Ida getting ready for the ride:

 

 

 

Obviously the "hex" you put on the elephant didn't work! Alabama elephant beat the Georgia bulldogs!

[Gcto]

Wes, thanks again for you detailed reports etc...love following your trip.

Reading about the blackout rules during the first 7 days. I recall we had this in April sailing around the arabian peninsula, but wasn't aware there were similar dangers around India.

 

All the best

Franzr

[Gcto]

you guys look great on the elephant and seem to have fun.

Classy Regent sign though....shiny as silk ;).

[WesW]

Hi everyone, Annab/anna, rcandkc, RachelG/Rachel & George,ededmd, EnglishUsa/David, Franzr. Thank you again for your very kind words--we enjoy giving back to cruise critic and regent board readers--as Ida and I have learned so many useful tips from many other CC posters that enable us to enjoy our cruises so much more than if we had to learn this tips by trial and error.

 

 

 

rcandkc, Rachel, ededmd; yes you can still see the brilliant stars at night. The jogging track is only not usable when dark (about an hour after sunset and half hour after sunrise (could jog yesterday after 6:30am. The lights are powered down for the first seven days of our voyage (sailing in Indian ocean), per Capt McNeil (last night at Captain's reception) for security reasons. No worries--we are flexible and just do the elliptical early a.m (when it is dark)

 

 

 

David; Kudos to the Tide for their win over Georgia, and thanks for the subtle reminder :)

 

 

 

Yesterday we visited Mangalore one of the eight largest port cities in India. Our highlights excursion included a stop at the famous Belmont House (pix below) and the bustling downtown city market (pix also below):

 

 

 

Care for a banana?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our new cruise friends (Leslie and John) enjoying a peaceful/romantic swing at Belmont House:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Belmont House pix (this Mangalore Mansion) had more order (inside/outside) than almost any home we have visited:

 

 

 

[WesW]

When we arrived back at the ship from our very nice Mangalore excursion, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at La Veranda. We signed up for an indoor spining class with Alan (fitness instructor now on board). Alan conducted an outstanding (reasonably demanding (worth at least one creme brulee) class. Pls enjoy a few spin pix below. We then hustled to get ready for the Captain's reception (pix next post)

 

some more Belmont house pix:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spin class pix:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[WesW]

Captain's Reception pix of Capt McNeil introducing Voyager Officers and senior staff:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Formal night pix with cruise friends (L to R); Etual324/Gene/Lucille, Wes/Ida, New CC recruits/Leslie and John:

 

 

 

 

 

Today we visit the Indian Port of Cochin in the prosperous Indian state of Kerala, hailed as God's own country. This seaside city is flaniked by the Western Ghats on the East and the Arabian Sea on the West. We will take the Cochin Highlights excursion that starts at 9a.m this morning. More pictures then. We hope to eat in Setti Mari in the next few nights and look fwd to sharing our impressions. This afternoon Ida is signed up for boot camp with fitness instructor Alan. Tonight there is a special Hanukkah Dinner at 7pm in La Veranda for entertainment we will have concert Pianist David Shofield.

[countflorida]

We're recently back from our Mariner Monaco-Rio crossing, but I got a cold two days later - worst sore throat I ever had - and was knocked out over the weekend; much better now. The crossing was very nice, except I have more problems walking so my excursions are limited and there wasn't much "limited mobility" tours on offer. The ship was great - Michael the GM and Lorraine the CD just super, food and service excellent. Sette Marie is a real upgrade, food excellent, busy every night. The Mariner has a lovely young Italian girl who had her own restaurant near San Remo running the place, and it's really great.

Only complaints, Internet service was abysmal - the attendant said that with 545+ 'free' (Silver and above) guests and limited bandwidth (implied cutback), nothing he could do, and he freely told that to everyone who complained. All Regent-services exemplary, sub-contracted ones (casino, spa, boutique, tours) less so to really awful (Internet). I must say that on-board tour staff and tour organization was very good, they really had their act together, but the offerings too demanding and not very interesting, at least for me.

You and Ida look great, and your excursion in India sounds and looks terrific. Both of us are wowed over the pics, wish we could do it, but I think I'm too far gone for any such demanding tour. But I'm enjoying it vicariously through your eyes, words and camera. THANKS!

Mike