Mumbai and boarding the Luxurious Sojourn

March 31, 2016

Our ship, the MV Soujourn, pulled out of Mumbai around 8 PM. As we supped with one of the ships entertainers, we were barely aware of the departure. Our host for the evening, Chris, said that lately the ships are leaving their ports during a time when the fewest number of passengers will be on the outside decks. Yes, he even admitted that the crew does, not only emergency and fire drills, they do pirate drills. Now that we are cruising through the open waters of the Indian Ocean, I suppose that is something that must weigh on the mind of our captain. 

Shall I backtrack a bit?  Absolutely. If I'm not allowed to backtrack, I'll miss many parts of our journey. 

When we left our hotel in Mumbai, we were in a 'Cool Cab', that charges a fixed rate for our drive. We paid 700 INR (India Rupee), about $12 USD, for a drive that was adventurous, dangerous and completely educational. Our driver hoisted two pieces of luggage onto the top of his small car and strapped them down. The other two were stowed in the passenger side of the front seat. The drive to the Ballard dock was far from uneventful. We drove past Victoria Station, as well as many temples, mosques and churches. There were more slums, houses with scaffolded of sticks, and people everywhere. Our driver professed that he LOVES MUMBAI and wouldn't live anywhere else. 

First rate scaffolding. This was the standard for many of the buildings. They are preparing for painting, repair or who knows what. Whatever it is for, the place certainly looks like it needs some repair. But the people are generally happy. So who am I to criticize?

Auto rickshaw, anyone?

What we drove past more than anything though, were hundreds of thousands of  marchers. It was obvious they were protesting something, but without a single banner in English, we were clueless. And our cab driver was completely unconcerned. He was busy dodging motor bikes, other cabs, pedestrians and CRAZY drivers. These protesters were nearly all men, walking in an orderly way, complete with police insuring their safety on the sidewalks. For over five miles they were marching. We had some guesses, but it became apparent once we got to the port, who the walkers were.  The typically busy port of Mumbai, was nearly deserted. No workers, no cranes moving, no trucks hauling, no ships in the port. This was a general labor strike. The aforementioned Victoria Station was also deserted. It was somewhat erie, being in a silent port. There were dozens of container and tanker ships, anchored outside of the port, awaiting clearance from the deserted port commanders office. 

We arrived at the Ballard Pier, Indira Dock Green Door (really, it sounds like some horror flick) intact after the 1-1/2 hour drive. The area was mass confusion. In 95 degree heat, with the humidity at an equally high level.  The well heeled travelers trying to get through the maze to their ship was somewhat amusing to watch. The guards all wore assault rifles and it appeared that they were not afraid to use them. We had to show our passports to damn near every one of them. After dodging cabs, buses and auto rickshaws, we eventually made our way to the lone Seabourn staff member who was getting us all headed in the right direction. That direction was to a very small building that had luggage scanning machines, more guards and enough room to move about as a port-a-pottie. It kind of smelled like one too. But everyone, the travelers, the guards and the staff, were all exceptionally kind and as helpful as they could be. My luggage contained a couple of items that I feared may be misunderstood-namely my spinning balls. They are made of two tennis balls, filled with rice and have rope attached.  They are your basic spinning practice balls and in the X-ray machine, they look like some kind of bomb. But we made it through, tossed our luggage into a truck and found our bus to get us to the ship. After a few more guards and passport inspections, we made it onboard. 

Once onboard this opulent vessel, we were herded into the Grand Salon, for our registration. Usually registration takes place before boarding, but there were no facilities for that at the port. Passports turned in, ID photos taken and credit cards scanned, we were released to wander and find our lunch. We found Gene in the Grand Salon and we all found Marilyn in one of the many restaurants. During lunch, the ship announcement came through that our suites were all prepared, so we proceeded the the 4th deck and found our suite. 

Our suite. Wow. Roomy. There is a shower AND a separate bathtub. A walk-in closet. A couch, dining table and bar. A huge window. A bottle of chilled champagne. And there is Berta, our room stewardess. Berta is from Madrid and (!!!) was walked part of El Camino. It was like old home week. I put our announcement on the entryway of our suite and proceeded to imbibe in some bubbly. In short order, our luggage showed up, we got unpacked and wandered the ship, getting our bearings. 

Our room announcement. Yes, we are all here because we're not all there. Oh Pahoa. 

We reviewed the activities for the remainder of the day and then participated in the mandatory drill. This was by far the most civilized drill we have ever had on a ship. No life preservers, no standing in an orderly line and no staff members keeping us quiet. We sat at tables at our assigned evacuation stations, listened to the captain and watched a demonstration for the proper way to put on a life vest. We were then set free to play until dinner. 

During our dinner, we met a few of our fellow passengers...a math professor, his wife a science and biology professor, Chris, a performer on the cruise, among others, and we met Sara Lee. Not the pie lady, but a southern belle from Dallas who professed that she never wore a pair of jeans until she met her husband. She continues to be the belle, but also shoots pigs and deer on the family's gentleman farm and is, quite obviously, part of the oil wealth of the Dallas area. The attitudes of intolerance we heard from some of our shipmates made both John and me cringe.  I could rave a while on is, but then that would be showing intolerance on my behalf. Just suffice to learn, I shall be listening more than I will be talking on this cruise. That old bumper sticker would come in handy...'coexist'. 

After our terrific dinner (more on the food later), we retired to our suite and prepared for bed. The past few days have been grueling and our well fed and wined bodies were letting us know that it was time for bed.