The Craft Class

On days at sea, a craft class takes place at 3pm and a bunch of assorted all-comers are welcomed into a corner of the restaurant by the very friendly and welcoming tutor M.

The first class I joined was a one-off project - a brooch or fridge magnet made from Crayola Model Magic. We all copied M's design, generally speaking, and as I sat, keeping my own counsel, I found it interesting to meet my classmates. As the hour drew to a close, it was clear that I had made some kind of commitment, for several of them waved me goodbye and looked forward to seeing me tomorrow.

So, I dutifully turned up the next day, to find that this was going to be the start of a longer project - a Kantha quilt. I said nothing which might reveal my background but followed M's instructions and very gratefully accepted free access to her "ragbag" of remnants she'd bought in Singapore. Magpie that I am, this was a real treat!

I quite liked what resulted, enjoyed the therapy of simple stitching and am pleased to have a little stitched souvenir of the trip. I enjoy sitting and chatting to a different group of people and of course, it's always interesting to see what happens when a bunch of stitchers are given the same materials and the same instructions - something totally different always appears!

Life on Board

A trip on board this luxurious ship would confirm every prejudice about cruises and the people who take them! The population is primarily American, mostly elderly and some 400 of the 750 are booked on the full, round the world trip. Some began their journey earlier still - one chap who joined the craft class today had begun the journey in Fort Lauderdale on December 21st and will finish his cruise at the end of April.

Quite how they do it, I have no idea, for luxurious as it is, it isn't home and one could tire of certain aspects. Too much of a good thing, perhaps.

But a certain culture seems to have been created and as an incomer for only a short part of the journey, it's interesting to step back and observe.

Those who are booked to travel the whole journey are endowed with a "World Cruise 2008" name plate for their door. Of this select group, many bear further trophies in the form of name plates from previous World Cruises. In addition, many doors have collections of keepsakes from places along the way.

Regardless of nationality, wealth, age or experience however, we all find ourselves in one particular room. This is the great place to catch up on the gossip, encounter interesting folks with tales to tell and at times, it's the most popular place on the ship.

Dubai here we come

As the sun set, we stood on our balcony with a glass of champagne and watched as the crew became more and more agitated over the late arrival of several passengers. There was a lot of hanging around as everyone waited...

 

and waited....

The band on the quayside exhausted their repertoire and began to repeat Dire Straits numbers as finally, three or four coaches sped around the corner and screeched to a halt by the embarkation ramp. Not so quick, however, was the process of getting everyone on, for several of these latecomers were elderly and infirm and hurry up wasn't an option.

Finally, some 45 mins late, we sailed for Dubai. We have two days and three nights to make up lost time!

We really enjoyed our short time in Mumbai and feel that we're ready for another, longer, trip to India before long.

A morning walk

An hour or two this morning gave us a chance to go out and see a little of the city. Since we'd visited the usual tourist sights on a previous trip, we chose to walk straight past the Chhashivaji maharaj vastu sangrahalaya (formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum) and instead, observe the daily life around us.

Some considerable contrasts here - the city is dusty and not exactly sparkly clean, and yet as the workers streamed out of the buses and trains they were remarkably well pressed and smartly dressed. Even at this early hour, it was hot and sticky and we felt far from crisp ourselves!

Every second shop front was full of adverts for mobile phones, for internet and technology of some kind. And yet, there on the street, life was a little more basic for some.

The business dress of the men - pastel shirts and flannels - was in sharp contrast to that of the women who wore the most beautifully coloured sarees and shalwar kameez.

Standing in the Chhatrapati Sivaji Station, formerly known as the Victoria Terminus (VT), we wondered how it was that most of the brightly dressed women got off the train first and stole a march on the rest of the trainfull of passengers. In the five minutes we stood there, several trains came in and went out, giving us ample opportunity to spot the sign on the first carriage, marking it out for women only.

As we stood there, quietly observing the comings and goings, men hurried past us with baskets on their heads, water dripping down their neck from whatever it was inside.

 

Taking a left turn heading back to our hotel, we walked past the grounds of the Bombay Gymkhana

The clubhouse looked as though it had been lifted straight from a Home Counties Village Green!

Finally, I had a mission to resolve. Working on my journal last evening, I discovered that I had left behind my hole punch and a glue stick. Surely somewhere along this street, I would be able to buy replacements? The first place looking anything vaguely like a stationers we saw was a simple hole in the wall type of place, with piles of paper and notebooks. It was worth asking though - and my request was greeted with a nod and immediate presentation of exactly what I was looking for from the shelves to the side of the tiny counter. One single hole punch and two glue sticks - a total cost of 98Rp, which, with 70 Rp to a £, is a bargain by any standards, I reckon.

Delightful service with a smile, too.

We continued back to the Apollo Bunder and mooched around the local tourists who were doing what all tourists do. Taking photos and enjoying being here, just like us.

Up and at 'em

Mumbai is waking up rather slowly this morning. We are bright eyed, bushy tailed and raring to go!