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Published: October 25th 2012
Itinerary map for the trip
Map is downloaded from P&O web site.Fremantle - Singapore - Kuala Lumpur - Penang - Phuket - INDIA: Cochin - Mumbai - Goa - MALDIVES - SEYCHELLES
Days 1-6 : 3rd May 2011: Leaving
Fremantle we sailed out of the harbour past the Maritime Museum, people on South Mole and the lighthouse into the sunset on yet another adventure. We have travelled to many countries and to Asia several times but on this journey we were going to new places - India and South Africa - a little unsure of what lay ahead we were all very excited. Vera and I are cousins - in - law and we travel every year to somewhere with friends and or family. This year we travelled with Vera's sister and her husband and his brother and wife (from Holland) so one very happy bunch of people. On the ship we met up each morning and had fun participating in the trivia quiz, never coming first but not too far behind the winners each time. Usually on land Vera and I went on a different tour to the others so we met up for meals and dinner in the evening. On ship days we girls played board games, went to
Day 1: Fremantle
View from the deck before sailing the movies, read books or lazed around doing nothing in particular. Definitely a good way to while away the hours.
Day 7: 9th. May: We had sailed through seas as calm as a millpond and lovely weather past Krakatoa to the island of
Singapore where we all went to Sentosa Island on the little train. Walking around taking photos of what I call the fishing huts, then down onto the beach for a paddle before wandering through the gardens, up to the lookout then through the island across the bridge back to the ship. We had been to Singapore before and already visited the Botanic Gardens, the Jurong Bird Park, the Raffles Hotel, city tour and harbour cruise so doing our own thing was very enjoyable.
Day 8: 10th. May:
Kuala Lumpur: We visited here a year ago, did the sightseeing bit around town, the museum, the mosque and the Petronas Twin Towers amongst other sights so we opted to stay on the ship and relax.
Day 9: 11th. May: Arriving in
Penang we went ashore, hopped onto the bus to go around town, then stopping at times to viisit the fishing villages, the sights, St. George's
Fremantle
The Maritime Museum Church, the museum and even went into a large shopping centre to inevitably buy some momento.
Day 10: 12th. May:
Phuket: We had spent a week here before so again opted to stay on the ship to relax and read a book.
Day 14: 16th. May:
India - Cochin: Sailing into the harbour as the view from the ship was quite lovely - everything looked so green. Here we boarded a bus and headed off to Old Cochin, going through the very narrow streets - so narrow I didn't get to see much at all so would like to visit there again. We visited the Museum and Dutch Palace where we were ushered through without time to look around; into the old St Francis Church which was built by Franciscan friars in 1503; then a stroll to the harbour past the fish, markets and chinese fishing nets before going on a harbour cruise. We went past some fish markets where boat loads of fish were dumped on the floor in the sun - was that where our lunch came from??? Sailing away in the late afternoon was just as lovely - with families lining the beach, some people
Fremantle
The Lighthouse on South Mole and children swimming and the fishing nets all added to the romance of Cochin. A fabulous day with very different sights and yes I would like to go back.
Day 16: 18th. May:
Mumbai: We had the most lovely guide who was so proud of her city, her people and her country. Mumbai was busy and dirty. They collect and recycle rubbish from other countries, but they could start with their own. Another interesting day as we visited the Jain Temple, we stood at the Mahalaxmi Bridge to gaze upon an incredible sight, Mumbai's vast open-air laundry, where only men labor over the dirty linens of the city's businesses in a vast landscape of wash bins. Onto the Gandhi Museum, various other spots and a photo stop at the Gateway to India - an arch on the harbour built to celebrate the visit of King George V for the 1911 Delhi Durbar, marking the coronation of the King and Queen of the United Kingdom.
Day 17: 19 May:
Goa: This city to me appeared to be very different - the buildings were different with a little touch of Portugal and colour and in a better state of upkeep.
Driving through the countryside we went past the Church of St. Francis of Assisi and Basilica of Bom Jesus; the shipbuilding yards where old boats are cut apart and whatever is salvaged gets put into another boat. We went on to the Sahakari Spice Farm for an education session and lunch. Very interesting. Sailing to and away from Goa we went through a section of ocean where there were quite a few sea snakes.
Day 19: 21st. May:
Maldives: We chose a walking tour and had a guide who did not speak much English and was not a speaker of even pigeon english so we had a failry quiet uninformative stroll around the city and in to a museum which was interesting. The weather was getting rather warm so we headed back to the ship instead of staying ashore. I probably expected more of the maldives as I have heard so much about the place and people opting to live there.
Day 22: 24th. May:
Seychelles: This place and its beauty was quite unexpected. We went to the Botanical Gardens where the lush tropical flowers and trees were just lovely. Fantastic photo opportunities with the contrast of colour
and light. We also stood among the giant tortoise some who are 150 years old. We then drove over the mountain to the coast and beaches before going up the mountain to Venn's Town a derelict Mission Settlement and school with magnificent views.
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