Bit of a Blog : Rhapsody : B2B : Singapore - Dubai - Istanbul : May 3rd 2015

[NancyIL]

Oh Nice. I leave on Wednesday to Vancouver then Alaska Cruise on Friday. Wonder if Alaska will top New Zealand :p:p:p

I love Alaska! The mountains and glaciers are more spectacular in Alaska than in NZ, but NZ has its own charm - as you know! (Linda, Erik and I were on the same Solstice cruise to NZ last year!) If you're on Radiance. I hope you are spending some time on land when the cruise ends. Enjoy!

Lovely to see FB friends and old cruise friends here.

 

Am back on board.

 

We have been to Panjim which is the capital of the state of Goa. The influence of the Portuguese in Goan history is very strong. We pass many churches and shrines along the way. Many homes have Portuguese ceramic stands in their front gardens.

 

We've been to the Basilica of Bom Jesus which contains the remains of St Francis Xavier, the Jesuit missionary who was canonised in 1622.

 

Right across the road is Se Cathedral, otherwise known as St Catherine's. Her story is fascinating and in the UK we spin wheels with her name on on November 5th; not in her memory though, more"s the pity. Our guide states it is the largest cathedral in Asia with many chapels.

 

The Latin quarter of Panjim is very reminiscent of walking through a Mediterranean town.

 

We visit a Hindu temple high up in the hills and the town centre. Now the heat is pervasive. I look around a large and very colourful market selling fruit, veg, clothing etc and then locate a fish and chicken market which was upsetting.... nearly set free a cage full of live poultry. Sigh. I go to a State shop .... have been looking for a specific ring. No joy.

 

Sailaway was brought forward to 215pm. Local taxis are unable to enter the port area so we give a ride to some passengers for whom the walk would be difficult.

 

Your ports sound so interesting, but I wouldn't do well in the heat! Are there cruises that stop in India when the weather is cooler?

[blueblock]

Hi Linda! Sounds like you are having a fabulous trip.

[CRUISEBOY305]

I love Alaska! The mountains and glaciers are more spectacular in Alaska than in NZ, but NZ has its own charm - as you know! (Linda, Erik and I were on the same Solstice cruise to NZ last year!) If you're on Radiance. I hope you are spending some time on land when the cruise ends. Enjoy!

 

 

 

yes I'm on Radiance and land tour as well (post-cruise). Denali and Fairbanks. Enjoy you're TA Nancy. I'll have a full report when I get back ;)

[heatherb1958]

Hi Linda,

I am in Zakynthos still following your excellent pictorial review .

We have free WiFi in the hotel bar!

 

I feel like I am following you in 3D as BIL 2 and 4 are posting pics on FB of their stay in Sri Lanka. You mention Gokharna , BIL2 when he is in the area lives there in a beach hut for a £1 a night!

[NorbertsNiece]

I love Alaska! The mountains and glaciers are more spectacular in Alaska than in NZ, but NZ has its own charm - as you know! (Linda, Erik and I were on the same Solstice cruise to NZ last year!) If you're on Radiance. I hope you are spending some time on land when the cruise ends. Enjoy!

 

 

Your ports sound so interesting, but I wouldn't do well in the heat! Are there cruises that stop in India when the weather is cooler?

 

I didn't know there is a cooler season....

 

Docked in Mumbai. After my post yesterday I was overcome with exhaustion and slept through dinner. Of course I was awake at midnight so read for a while.

 

We have to go through face to face immigration this morning again. There were people in line at 615 (yes I was up that early) but they're not due to start until 7am. I don't see why they do this before we head ashore for the last time..... Surely if they want to be sure we are leaving they would do this after we get back from our excursions.....

 

I'm doing something very different today. We are being taken around Mumbai on foot at street level.....

[NorbertsNiece]

Hi Linda! Sounds like you are having a fabulous trip.

 

Couldn't get more different from Moscow if you tried!

[NorbertsNiece]

Mumbai.

 

What a fabulous day.... this is how to see India imo.... with an enthusiastic student who knows his stuff....

 

Again with Magic Tours this was full on street level stuff.... travelled in a van to begin with then much foot work, a taxi ride, a bus ride and a train ride. We had lunch at a typical vegetarian restaurant and ate like kings. People were queuing to get in to this place. I used to fill my blog with cruise ship pics and have stopped doing that pretty much.... wait till you see these!!

 

We saw the very first railway station in India, Victoria Station, as well as the Oval, where they were playing cricket. I had my picture taken at the 'Gateway to India' with a beautiful lady who requested a picture with me..... I have no idea why she asked me.... I was happy to oblige.

 

We went to a Starbucks.... not for a coffee but for a souvenir..... I know someone will be happy with this mug... on all the other tours they were happy to take US $$ (it's almost impossible to get Rupees out of india) but not this one so we had to go to change money..... this was in a shop that sells musical instruments...

 

I bought a requested shirt in the little market at the port. Am a little disappointed not to have had the opportunity to shop more..... I tried to bargain for a saree outfit for a little niece but they weren't obliging.

 

There's so much more; cows, dogs and an opium king. The photos will be along in due course..... 2 sea days ahead.....

 

We also went to Ghandhiji's house.... my eyes are welling up with the memory.... there is a poem by Rabindranath Tagore that is very close to my heart and when I saw a pic of the two amazing men together my day was complete.

 

They who are near me do not know that you are nearer to me than they are…

Those who speak to me do not know that my heart is full with your unspoken words…

Those who crowd in my path do not know that I am walking alone with you…

They who love me do not know that their love brings you to my heart…

[NorbertsNiece]

Have a Compass

DAY 11 RH Cruise Compass, Mumbai, May 13.indd.pdf

[NorbertsNiece]

I've just finished reading 'Still Alice' by Lisa Genova. I spend a lot of my free time with people living with dementia..... this book is amazing. Started reading last night.... wonderful. Highly recommend.

 

Still uploading Colombo and elephant pics.... Here's where I've managed to get ....

 

 

We've stopped at a fruit, vegetable, spice and dried fish market on the way....

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 13, 2015 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

We are driving through a neighbourhood where girls are waving us down on either side of the road

 

 

Cashew nuts

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

We have finally arrived at Pinnawala

 

Whilst entry tickets are being purchased we are treated to an explanation of the manufacture of paper from elephant poo.

 

You read that right.

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

 

 

We walk down a causeway to a gushing river..... there is a restaurant overlooking where elephants are being bathed. Babies are chained until they have become accustomed to their routines.... they have been rescued, orphaned; adults are able to roam free. I hope the following pics reflect my awe.

Edited May 13, 2015 by NorbertsNiece

[Setting sail for fun]

Very interesting!

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

Some of our group go down to the water for a close and very personal encounter

 

 

 

[Setting sail for fun]

Cute baby elephants! Not sure how close I would get though....

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

 

These guys take themselves off for a walkabout

 

 

Running out of laptop juice..... need to recharge.... currently sat deck 5 Centrum.... more tomorrow.... no hope whatsoever of being able to go online in room. Others have much more luck.

Edited May 13, 2015 by NorbertsNiece

[depplep]

Absolutely unbelievable. A journey of a lifetime for sure. It makes me sad in a way.

[NorbertsNiece]

Absolutely unbelievable. A journey of a lifetime for sure. It makes me sad in a way.

 

Yes.

 

For all sorts of reasons there has been sadness along the way on this trip. There is much to be grateful for.

 

Here's today's Compass.

DAY 12 RH Cruise Compass, At Sea, May 14.indd.pdf

Edited May 14, 2015 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

I'm hoping RCL are following this.

 

Wait staff at my dining table (MTD) are exceptional, from the Maitre d' at the door down..... names shout out : Jackie and Avelino. They are what bring me to the MDR each night. My last cruise, which was on Oasis I devolved pretty quickly to the WindJammer..... not had one evening meal in WJ this cruise. Am sat with other CC-ers. We have the same table each night, pretty much the same time each night. I'm not asked about wanting decaf cappuccino or bottled water..... it appears by magic. My friends have their wine glasses continually refilled. And wait till you see the pic of the table for my birthday.....

 

Then Guest Services shout out to Adriana. She's been the source of the daily Compass .pdf. Without fail. And she will answer questions I have by email. Not having seen her since day 1 we bumped into each other very very late one night this week when I decided to pay my bill to that point and she was on night duty. Was like running into a friend not seen in a long time.

 

There's a lovely man at the Solarium bar..... my eyes don't reach to his name badge and to my continued dismay my ability to recall names is touchy but I will remember for a subsequent post..... he knows I'm there for the freshly squeezed OJ and always smiles and greets me personably asking about my day.

 

And finally my lovely room steward Rudi whose quiet administrations are really very much appreciated. He has many rooms on his list; I cannot fault him at all.

[NorbertsNiece]

When the guys / gals have crossed the river they mess around on the other side

 

 

A delicious lunch has been included. Curried fish, chicken, beef, veggies, Mango chutney, rice....... was delicious

 

 

We head to the park where the elephants are housed. Some are heading back with us.

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

 

[JamesEM]

Thanks for the great photos.

[NorbertsNiece]

We had the consecutive cruiser meet today.... the one I didn't know about having been assured by Guest Services that they do know I am staying on board... my room steward assured me today I AM on his list for next cruise.... thing is Guest Services still don't have me on the manifest.

 

Some of the questions people were asking..... quite a few about wine.... packing everything up for room changes.... not all had answers.... like what are they to do with their valuables.... there is to be a letter detailing the whole process.... my concern is that I even get that letter, let alone the seapass card.... everyone has to have checked out by 9 am on the 17th.... the GS manager has promised to ensure that I do in fact get one. One chap wanted to know about Casino credit..... he didn't have any.... In the queue for the GS Manager afterwards someone was actually complaining that RCL didn't have a system for recognising Consecutive Cruisers so as to avoid the need for a new seapass card, the closing of accounts and so on. Intimated that they would be losing guests as a result. I think there are other reasons that RCL will be losing guests..... at lunch people were complaining that the quality of the films being shown was very poor. It appears that the films shown on the big screen poolside are a different format to the ones shown in the theatre.

 

Graham Seymour (the CD) lead an interesting and at times very funny briefing. I get a hug from him after....

 

Dining times are reverting for the next cruise..... so 1st sitting will be at 6pm.

 

Royal are putting on free shuttle buses from the port in Dubai to a mall.... not clear which one yet.... on the 16th and 17th. There will be a consecutive cruisers lunch but they want numbers for catering purposes.

 

Currently sat all alone in the Schooner Bar... the roll call had posted a catch up meet and time here..... ho hum....