Day 172 At Sea

Today was great.... It was great sun, incredibly hot with a nice breeze. I'm going to have dinner in the Pinnacle Grill tonight with a couple members of the Cruise Director's staff, should be a blast. Tomorrow, Chennai (Madras) India and onward to Nepal. For what it's worth, here is my itinerary for the next five days...
Wednesday 12 ARRIVE CHENNAI
Welcome to the largest city in South India. You will be collected from the cruise pier at 12:00PM by a representative of Trail Blazer Tours India Ltd. Tel: (91) 120 4233036 – and transferred to your reserved accommodation. Enroute visit Fort St. George, St. Mary's, the Government Museum, and the San Thome Basilica. Later, visit Mahabalipuram, a tiny village by the sea, which is dwarfed by sculptures carved into the rocks.
The Residency Towers PH: (044) 2815-6363
Sir Tyagaraya Road, T. Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India 600 017

Chennai (formerly known as Madras) is the capital of city of Tamil Nadu. The city lies along the coast of the Bay of Bengal. Over the past three and a half centuries, the small fishing village has grown into a bustling metropolis, which is especially known for its spaciousness, lacking in other Indian cities. This characteristic can be seen by the long esplanade called the Marina, which is lined by impressive buildings, a reminder to the casual visitor of the long and inseparable association the city has had with the British. The city of Chennai is dominant with British influences in the form of old cathedrals, buildings in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, and wide tree lined avenues. The city continues to be a centre, which has blended the foreign influence with the traditional Tamil-Hindu. Visitors will find that Chennai is a convenient base to peep into the varied aspects of traditional south Indian culture. Here, lifestyles intermingle with the modern city, complete with its plush hotels and restaurants - offering a range of continental and typical south Indian cuisine, long stretch of beaches, and modern shopping centers that offer traditional handicrafts and textiles, much more peculiar to this part of India.
Thursday 13 CHENNAI – KATHMANDU
Early this morning you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
6:45 AM Depart Chennai to Delhi on Jet Airways 9W822.
9:30 AM Arrive in Delhi.
1.05 PM Depart Delhi to Kathmandu on Jet Airways 9W262.
2.45 PM Arrive in Kathmandu.
Welcome to the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. Upon arrival into Kathmandu, you will be met by Goway’s representative of Yeti Travels – Telephone: (977-1) 422-1234 – and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon you will enjoy a visit to Bhimsen Stambha (Tower) and Dharahara.
Grand Hotel PH: (977-1) 428-2482
P.O. Box 12872, Tahachal, Kathmandu, Nepal
Kathmandu, the capital and also the cultural, commercial and business hub of the kingdom, is a magical place. In the center of the capital is Durbar Square, where a wonderful collection of temples and shrines, both Buddhist and Hindu are situated. The old Roy Palace is in the square, as is the Statue of Hanuman the Monkey God - clad in a red cloak, and the house of the living goddess – the Kumari. A few kilometers from Kathmandu is the hugely impressive Bodnath Stupa. Climbing upwards from the city one can reach the famous Buddhist stupa of Swayambhunath, popularly known as the Monkey Temple – noted for its large staring eyes. There are a great many steps leading up to the temple, which is frequented by an even greater number of monkeys. Just 5km west of the city are the Balaju Water Gardens, with a reclining statue of Lord Vishnu, and a 22-headed sea dragon fountain.
Friday 14 KATHMANDU – NAGARKOT (B)
This morning you will enjoy a magnificent flight-seeing tour of Mt. Everest. Enjoy Kathmandu sightseeing which includes Swayambhunath and the museum. In the afternoon visit Patan. You will then be transferred to your reserved accommodation in Nagarkot. 1NT
Club Himalaya Resort Tel: 977-1-6680045
P.O Box 2769 Windy Hills Bhaktapur, Nepal
Saturday 15 NAGARKOT – KATHMANDU (B)
This morning, rise early to see the sun rise. Enjoy breakfast at the resort. You will return to Kathmandu via Bhakatpur’s Durbar Square. 1 NT
Grand Hotel
Sunday 16 KATHMANDU – MUMBAI (B)
Today you will visit Indrachowk, the Courtyard of Indra, Akash Bhairab temple, Indrachowk the main market. After the visit you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
3.45 PM Depart Kathmandu to Delhi on Jet Airways 9W261.
5.15 PM Arrive in Delhi.
7.40 PM Depart Delhi to Mumbai on Jet Airways 9W354.
9.40 PM Arrive in Mumbai.
Upon arrival in Mumbai you will be met by a representative of Trail Blazer Tours India Ltd. – and transferred to the cruise pier.
I make no promises or guesses on my postings while I'm gone. This place is pretty remote. I'll do my best....