Day 64 April 15th (Wednesday) Mumbia, India
We docked in Mumbia at 7am and we had an early excursion . Immigration came on board for a face to face clearance and we given a landing card for disembarking. The buses were lined up waiting for us upon our arrival.
Our bus took us to the "Gate of India" (a commemorative gate to King George VI & Quenn Mary for their visit in 1911). Across the street is the Taj Mahah Palace Hotel and the wing where the terrorists set fire and held the guests captive Nov. 26th 2008 is still not opened. You can see where the fire scorched the outside and the roof still is covered by a blue tarp. However the main wing of the hotel is back up and running and security (scanner and guard) is outside the front door of the hotel.
We had to board our water taxi by crossing through another water taxi for our hour ride acroos the harbour to the "Island of Elephanta" which is dedicated to Shiva, one of the three gods that the Hindi worship. This island was given its name from the large stone elephant that guarded the caves but the stone has now been removed to the Victoria Gardens. The sculptures inside the cave are part of a temple from the 8th century and depict Shiva's life .
When we arrive to the island we had to climb across another water taxi to climb the steps up to the pier. Here we were met by a small steam engine train to take us to the base of the steps to the caves. The steep steps are lined with vendors with all sorts of souvenirs. I had the experience of sitting in a wooden chair and carried up the steps to the caves by 4 men. It was an interesting ride. The carvings are amazing and our guide was very good at explaining the books that the Hindu religion are based on giving a broad scope to understand the story of this god. When we finished inside the caves the 4 men were waiting outside for me and carried me back down the steep steps. Believe me this was rather hair raising but excillerating. Once back down we stopped for water but if we had waited until we got back to the water taxi there was cold water waiting for us there. We had to wait for the train and the vendors followed us right back to the taxi. They were selling jewellry but it looked very heavy. They weren't allowed to stay on the taxi which was a good thing . Once back at the gate of India we had to clamour over two water taxis to get back to the pier. The vendors at the gate were busy with other people as the square was very crowded. The bus brought us back to the ship where we had lunch.
After lunch John (from Belgium), Eric and I went back out and hird a taxi to drive us around the city for a couple of hours. It is hot and the air conditioning in the car are the four windows being down. The driver took us to Victoria Terminus (the train station where other innocent victims were gunned down in Nov.). The architecture is reminicent of the Victorian-Gothis style. The exterior wasn't damaged so is in tact. We weren't allowed to go inside because we didn't have a ticket so security has tightened up here as well. Then we saw the city hall, passed the Police headquarters, the stock exchange into the commercial section of the city, the materity hospital where there was more carnage from the terrorists to the place where the terrorists came ashore. Here the fishermen and their families live in their crude shacks of tin, cardboard and tarps that would never withstand any kind if a storm . Our next stop was the laundry where over 5000 people work sorting, washing and hanging on the miles of clothes lines and ironing. The laundry is then bundled up and delivered by bycicle back to the owners. It is amazing to see this black water and the whites hanging on the lines. It was mind boggling to see how this operation works.
By this time it is rush hour traffic here in the city and it was an experience just to drive through the streets. Thank goodness Eric wasn't driving as there are over 80,000 taxis in this city. Our driver then took us to the emporium to look at carpetes and jewwellry because they get a deal from the owner if we buy. We didn't buy but did look at the beautiful stuff. We then went to another store by the Taj mahah Palace Hotel and they ha some beautiful stuff as well and you have to barter over the prices. Our next stop was for John and Eric to get their cigarettes and then back to the ship. It was an exhausting but a great day.
We sat with John & Dinah for dinner as it was Indian Night for th dinner. The only thing that we could eat was the stir fry as now we are both struggling with our stomachs and I'm coming down with Eric's cold. 
You should see the huge naval fleet docked in the next bay from our ship.

Day 65 April 16th (Thursday)
We are still in Mumbia and our excursion leaves at 10:45am
It is very hot this morning and not much of a breeze. We boarde the bus for our tour and proceeded through the city to one of the beaches . This beach is called the Queen's Necklaace because it is in the shape of a horseshoe and when the lights shine on the wate at night it looks like a necklace hence its name. The natives do not swim here as this beach is used to wash their ganashi idols on special occasions. The Governor's residence is on the Malibar Hill, a prime piece of real estate.
We drove by the Gymkana's with the cricket grounds -- when the British were here the Indians were not allowed to be members so the different groups built their own. These areas are rented out for large occasions such as mass weddings etc.
Nana Nani Parks are scattered throughout the city and are just for the retired folk (over 55). Most parents work so these parks are for the grandparents to intermingle with people of their own kind and NO children or grandchildren are allowed here. The Opera House is in deplorable shape and until they can find a benefactor not much can be donw to restore it. We also learned that McDonalds here deliver and do NOT serve beef. They only have veggie burgers or lamb. Cows are sacred and therefore cannot be slaughtered. In fact traffic comes to screeching halt for the cows on the street. Cows are tethered on the street along with goats, usually in front of a temple along with someone selling grass for people to buy to feed the animals. When a child is born a horoscope is drawn up for the parents and when the child marries another one is drawn up. Consquently when things are going arry it is then advisable to buy some grass and feed the cows to ward off whatever is going wrong in one's life . Everything is based on the horoscope.
The first market we stopped at is called the "Thieves Market" and all sorts of tools, second items of furniture,cars machines etc. are here for the pickings. We noticed that the Hindi work side by side with the Muslims and there doesn't seem to be any racial problems. It is amazing how they utilize such a small space to work out of.
The next market was the "Jhaveri Bazaar" filled with vegetable and fruit vendors, household items, toiletries, juices, milk (everything one needs for their use at home) etc. The fruits are packed in straw and wonderfully displayed.
We then went across the stree to the textile market and I thought taht I had seen it all in Singapore but that was peanuts compared to this. The cottons, wools,and silks displayed were beautiful. I am not feeling well and this heat is really starting to get to me as I am now running a fever.
We finally got back on the bus only to stop at a "mall" ( it is more like department store to me) but the folks on the bus went crazy here . The bus eventually brought us back to the ship after stopping at the Gate of India and the Taj Mahah Palace Hotel for the ones who didn't see them yesterday.
We got back just before the restaurant onboard closed so had some lunch and as we were eating 2 submarines coasted out into the bay.
We sailed out of Mumbia at 5pm and it has turned windy and not quite so hot.

Day 66 April 17th (Friday) Arabian Sea and had to turn the clock back one hour
We are at sea. Spent a quite day but we did play bingo but didn't win anything.

Day 67 April 18th (Saturday) Arabian Sea and had to turn the clock back 30 minutes.
We are at sea and it is calmer today. Went to hear the lecture on the tours for Dubai and then I stayed for the lecture on the religions related to India. It was a nice refresher course for me from what I took at Queens. I don't feel good today so didn't do much. We are approaching the Gulf of Hermosa to sail into Dubai tomorrow morning.