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March 18, 2019 - Cruise 2019 - Singapore to Rome

Hello again to you all!

Today I am writing to you from the Indian Ocean as we are passing the west coast of India heading northwest towards the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to make port in Dubai on March 21st. It is +35 degrees Celsius in the shade today!

On March 15th, I visited the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in northern Sri Lanka. What an incredible, fantastic, remarkable experience! Okay, maybe I enjoyed it a little!!

As we arrived, our tour guide, Don, walked us past the numerous tourist shops selling "elephant dung paper", t-shirts, and any souvenir (with elephant images) imaginable. We then came to the slow moving river and there stretched out below us were some of the elephants bathing.

I almost had a George Costanza moment wanting to run full out, where I would have knocked many of the senior passengers out of the way to get in front of these magnificent animals. But, instead I restrained myself and took it all in. I became quite teary-eyed instead.

SACRED ELEPHANTS COOLING OFF IN THE RIVER

We were told that if a cow is killed in Sri Lanka the act is punishable by 6 months in jail. However, to kill an elephant is punishable with a life sentence!

To be up close and personal with these exotic, beautiful beings in their own environment was truly outstanding. Definitely an event to cross off my bucket list, though I would certainly make the journey to see them over and over again!

After a while, I ventured around a corner and a local caught up with me to give me some sliced apples and I was able to feed a large female elephant. What an absolute thrill!

She was so massive, towering over me and yet so very gentle as she reached out her trunk and lifted the food from my hands and into her mouth.

SO THRILLED TO HAVE A MOMENT WITH THIS GENTLE BEING

We then saw their habitat where they are kept which was a lush, green area and if needed, large pens for the injured and/or sick, or for those elephants giving birth. There were a few babies which walked past us, along with about 30 others, heading to the river on the really hot afternoon we were there. +32 degrees Celsius in high humidity!


Our drive to the Elephant Orphanage and back to the port in Colombo was quite the journey. Traffic is controlled mayhem. Our driver was amazing weaving in and out of the buses, cars, motorcycles, tuk-tuks...any type of vehicle possible, stopping on a dime when necessary. I cringed for the pedestrians, who from what I saw, just wandered so fearlessly out into traffic - nonchalant and confident! I think I would be too chicken to even cross the road if I lived there.

This country, formerly known as Ceylon, has a history of recent civil war. 21 years of it from 1984 to 2005, and various areas we passed had buildings with bullet holes still visible.

(As a side note, in 2019 on April 21st, on Easter Sunday, suicide bombers cowardly attacked people at various churches, as well as at hotels and other sites around Sri Lanka. Over 300 people were killed, which included local residents and foreigners.)

Summer is virtually the only season with sunny days and rainy nights, making the countryside lush! Lovely with such hospitable people! Around 22 million people live on this tropical island! What I saw of Sri Lanka was enthralling! I would definitely visit again!

Yesterday, March 17th on St. Patrick's Day, we were welcomed so warmly in Cochin, India! Such a vibrant city with its sights, sounds, smells, and smiles. I really loved spending time here!

PERFUME AND INCENSE AT A MARKET IN COCHIN

I learned that there are 3.1 billion people in India and 18 different languages spoken. Cochin itself has a population of 33 million. Almost the entire population of Canada in one city!!! WOW!!!

As you can imagine, the city itself stretched out for many miles in either direction. There are at least 3 languages spoken in Cochin - English, Hindi and the language of the state (Kerala).

This day I took a tour of the city, particularly the Dutch Palace (built by the Portugese - seriously!), a beach walk to see the Chinese fishing nets. These appeared to be so intricate. This type of fishing uses a cantilever system where fishermen walk on logs over the water and the nets to push and pull, or to lower and raise the nets.

CHINESE FISHING NETS ON THE SHORES OF COCHIN

I also visited St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church built in 1799, and a Jewish Synagogue built in the 1500's which was neighbouring a Muslim Mosque. It just happened to be Sunday, so I felt I covered all bases!

The history of this city is richly diverse and influenced yet again by Europe and Asia. It is intriguing to know that our tour is following the ancient trade routes in spices, tea, silk and other commodities which have shaped these places and our world even to this day.

What I took away from this city besides the history, overwhelming and vibrant colours, gorgeous sheltering trees, intoxicating smells of spices/incense/perfumes, were how

beautiful the people were who I either met or saw. Such easy smiles and so personable with wonderful senses of humour!

It was quite a bonding moment for many of us onboard the ship and I believe, on the shore. As we left port and made our way towards the ocean in the early evening, with the orange sun setting in the hazy, humid sky, people lined the shores on either side or in small boats. We took pictures of one another and waved to each other.

It seemed to reaffirm that despite our different cultures, languages and countries, our common curiosity keeps us connected! That moment will stay with me for a long time!

Every city seems to be a progression on a grander scale and India is no exception. Yet, as our tour guide, Rishi, mentioned, Dubai is THE city of great superlatives - bigger, wealthier,...! So, as we move to this next destination it will be beyond incredible for sure!

That being said, today I went to a Pirate Drill presentation. We are about to enter a High Risk Area as we move into the Middle East (mostly this is for the area heading north into the Red Sea between Yemen and Somalia) and our security level will be changed from Level 1 (Safe) to Level 2 (not so much!)!!!

THE SHIP’S MAP OF OUR ROUTE FROM COCHIN WITH OUR NEXT STOP - DUBAI, UAE

Tomorrow at 10 AM, we will be involved in a drill (both passengers and crew) to "practice" in the unlikely (fingers-crossed) event that pirates and/or terrorists attempt to attack our ship on the open seas!!! Certainly never thought I would be writing this back to all of you!


Over the years this piracy has been almost non-existent since a Military Task Force has been set up through the UN to protect ships going through such an area. However, the ship is being equipped with high pressure hoses, electronic fences in vulnerable areas, messages in Arabic to warn pirates and tonal ear-piercing noise if this is not abided by.

As well, our Captain and Security Officers have warned us that if the worst case scenario is at hand, the ship will be full throttle ahead and we need to "hunker down" in our cabins as we escape from the pirates.

At lunch a few days ago, I ate with two Gentlemen, who are veterans of the American military. George was in the Vietnam War, and Robert was in Desert Storm. They mentioned that the ship also has a cache of weapons to be used by security personnel, if necessary.

JUST ONE OF THE SECURITY MEASURES ON BOARD TO REPEL PIRATES

And further to this situation, we were told by a security officer that going through the Suez Canal after our venture into Jordan, we would also be provided a military escort on and above the water, that the ship's defenses will be ready, just in case, as we sail towards the Mediterranean.

How's this for an exciting holiday!!! The "Mission Impossible" theme music is now stuck in my head!!!

I will keep you all informed as the days move along how things are. I'm not worried, so please don't be for me! The crew is keeping us safe and sound on this journey of a lifetime! Hope this finds you very, very well, and being great to yourself and others! Peace to you all!


Love, Jae

CRUISING WEST THROUGH THE ARABIAN SEA TO THE PERSIAN GULF

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