World Cruise - Day 88 - Apr 9 - At Sea (and Mumbai, Part 3 of 3)

This morning, sunrise was at 5:29a.  I did actually wake up to look if there would be an interesting sunrise, but the horizon was cloud shrouded, so I went back to sleep until 6a.  Then I took this photo after the sun cleared the clouds:

More pics from Mumbai (part 3 of 3).

This is the Haji Ali Dargah, a mosque that is built on a small island just offshore:

If you look closely, you can see the line of people walking out on the causeway to the island.

Another ox, this one was especially interesting because the ox owner (the guy in the white shirt and wrap that looks like a skirt on the right) and the driver of the white car (standing behind the ox cart with his arm in the air) were having a “discussion” about moving the ox cart so that the car would get through:

This is the entryway to Mahalaxmi Hindu Temple.  You have to take off your shoes before you enter, so there are people seated on the right behind the steel grate who will watch your shoes for you for a tip.  Note also that men and women have separate entries:

This guy was making dosas, which are like a crisp crepe with fillings (most common is sada dosa or masala dosa):

These trucks are how most goods that enter the port are transported around the city.  They are often brightly painted and sometimes have flower garlands hanging on the front and sides:

Krissie and Jackie were checking out the vegetables being sold near Banganga Tank:

On the stairway down to Banganga Tank, caught this pic of these two cute boys:

Banganga Tank.  Note the boy on the left carrying drinking water, which he got from the inlet (which I will show in a later pic).  People often bathe here, even though the ashes of those cremated are often scattered here:

Drying their clothes on the steps of Banganga Tank:

We saw a lot of stray cats and dogs throughout the day (and a few rats as well, including one nicely flattened on one of the streets):

View of Banganga Tank from the other end.  Krissie was being offered hashish by some men top left while I was making my way around the tank.  She was with the guide, Terry and Jackie, so no danger involved.  They had already offered me hashish before I started on my way around the tank.

These two kids have homemade bows and arrows that they are playing with:

These kids were playing on one of the corners of the tank:

This is a little Hindu temple built into the side of the tank, pretty common throughout India:

The geese were all nicely lined up along the edge of the tank:

Got this pic of the pigeons flying as I walked by:

This is where the water comes into the tank.  Tradition says that it flows from an underground stream from the Ganges River, although the Ganges is over 1,000 miles away.  This is where the boy had filled his water container:

More pigeons flying with the buildings in the background:

Same two boys as before, maybe this is an older sister?

Kids were always very interested in talking to us, especially to Krissie.  These girls came up and asked her name and where she was from.  Although our initial reaction was that when children were doing this it was as a pretense to asking for money.  However, our experience was that typically was not the case.  They just wanted to practice their English and they liked meeting people from other countries.

This guy is getting his ears cleaned out by the guy on the right.  When he saw I was going to take his picture, he covered up his face:

This guy is the local shoe seller and cobbler, fixing shoes in his little street side stand.

Sign in front of the Jain Temple: “Dear Tourists, you are requested to observe the following: 1) Ladies in monthly period are strictly not allowed in the premises of the temple…”

Inside of the Jain Temple:

Front porch of the Jain Temple:

Next to the Jain Temple is a place where devotees can go to eat:

Viewpoint from Hanging Garden Kamla Nehru Park with Back Bay and downtown Mumbai in the background:

Chowpatty Beach on Back Bay:

School boys walking through Hanging Garden Kamla Nehru Park.

…and the school girls right behind the boys:

Outside Hanging Garden Kamla Nehru Park.

Four people eating a meal on the ground, sitting on small mats.  Note that one lady is Western, so she either lives there or is looking for an immersion experience (and possibly a case of what the locals call “Bombay Belly” which is like Montezuma’s Revenge).

I couldn’t quite figure this guy out, but he apparently is crippled and was being pulled along on his cart:

Not sure how this lady can see, but apparently you can see through the mask at least somewhat:

There are a variety of hand carts moving in and around the traffic.  We saw several near miss accidents, but never an actual accident.  Often within inches, but not touching:

Jackie, Krissie and Terry in front of Gateway of India, built in 1911 to commemorate King George and Queen Mary coming to visit India:

Our guide, Ganesh.

Ganesh wore an armband that looks like a swastika, but he said that the swastika is a reverse image and that this symbol means peace:

Krissie and Jackie are on the right looking at the Taj Mahal Hotel:

Taj Majal Hotel in the background, where terrorist attacks took place in 2008.  Note also the vendor trying to sell them photos:

There are several ferries that go out from Gateway of India to Elephanta Island and other neighboring islands:

This raven or blackbird is very common in India.  Took this photo with Gateway of India in the background.

Pic of some of the locals in their colorful saris.

…and then it was back on the ship, back to the bubble.  We are now on day #2 of 3 on our way to Manama, Bahrain.

We got 10 out of 20 in trivia today, winning team got 13.  Tough one.  Questions we missed:  Which hero of a Dicken’s novel has a pet raven called Grip?  Barnaby Ridge (we said Pip).  What sort of companies are Earl Shilton, Knottingham Imperial, and Kent Reliance?  Building societies (we said insurance companies).  In which Shakespeare play is Imogen the daughter of the king of Britain?  Symboline (not sure I’m spelling that correctly, never heard of it; we said King Lear).  What term is used to indicate how many protons are contained in the nucleus of any atom?  Atomic number (we said atomic weight).  What is the official language of the principality of Andorra?  Catalan (we said French).  Who was in Bedford Jail in the 17^th century when he wrote the work for which he is now remembered?  John Bunyan (we said Samuel Pepys).  In which year was the Titanic launched?  1911 (we said 1912).  Which major international event was staged in Manchester in 2002?  Commonwealth Games (we said World Cup).  Factor 8 is used in the treatment of what disorders?  Blood clotting (we said stomach).  What is Queen Elizabeth’s second Christian name?  Alexandria (we said Mary).  What veteran rock band released the album Just Push Play?  Aerosmith (we said The Rolling Stones).  Other interesting questions we got correct:  What organization of the UN has major responsibility for peacekeeping missions?  Security Council.  Artemis was the Greek goddess of the hunt, who was her Roman equivalent?  Diana.  Uppsala, Malmo, and Helsingborg are towns in which European country?  Sweden.  For his translation of what in the 16^th century is Miles Coverdale remembered?  The Bible.  Futures in sugar, coffee and cocoa are traded at the LCE, what does LCE stand for?  London Commodities Exchange.  Which Roman emperor rebuilt Byzantium and named it after himself?  Constantine.  Lake Maggiore lies on the border of what two countries?  Italy and Switzerland.

This afternoon there was a helicopter that came out to the ship, did a quick flyby and then returned:

Someone said it was a military helicopter, not sure if that makes me feel more secure or less.  I just hope it was one of ours?

Tonight’s entertainment was Mel Mellers, a magician/comedian:

He’s not a very good magician, but he is a pretty funny comedian.

After the show, we had “A Taste of India” Deck Party on the pool deck.  Everyone got dressed up in their outfits they had recently purchased in India for the event.  And, of course, the extra eats in the evening, along with ice carvings.  Tonight was an ice carving of Taj Mahal:

Krissie and I with Sara with our latest clothing acquisitions from India:

There was a nice dance under the stars out on the deck:

Tomorrow is sea day #3 of 3 on our way to Manama, Bahrain.