We embarked on the m.v. Hebridean Spirit at the Dubai Port Rashid Cruise Terminal for our cruise to Oman,

m.v. Hebridean Spirit

the West Coast of India and Sri Lanka. Hebridean Spirit is probably the world's most exclusive little cruise ship and beautifully appointed with attention to detail and excellently maintained. The staff are only too eager to please and so pleasant and the food is always very good and at times exceptional. The 'Spirit' only takes about 70 passengers and thus very quickly a house party atmosphere is created. We cruised for 17 nights and visited so many interesting places.

Our cabin called the Isle of Lewis

Elegant lounge on the Hebridean Spirit

Oman was a new destination for us and we were able to visit the interior on two occasions and witness camel racing as well as Arab horse racing in the desert; that followed a very good curry lunch! We were shown their vital life giving falaj water system and the date gardens. The forts we visited look like those given to a child! We met some shy Bedu ladies in their unique tribal dress and enjoyed visiting the Souk for exotic perfumes and small gifts. Leaving Muscat at sunset with the Hebridean Spirit's resident piper playing the bagpipes was very beautiful. Oman has an arid austere beauty of mountains and desert, and Muscat is a 'dinky' little town which is also only a few decades old and wonderfully maintained. Again there are many attractive themed roundabouts that are both colourful and amusing.

Gateway of India in Mumbai

Mumbai was the next destination and the contrast between new, tiny Muscat could not have been greater. We arrived at 0700 hours and were amused at the age old habit of ancient India to employ 12 men to do the work of about four. We were only spending the day there so it was easily filled with a visit to Crawford Market and the various Victorian Gothic or Indo-Saracenic buildings for which Mumbai is famous, plus the tranquillity of the Afghan Church and a walk around the Gateway of India, followed by a sumptuous tea at The Taj Hotel and a quick walk through the hotel's shopping arcades.

Goa was our next destination for Christmas Eve. This was enjoyable and so interesting, and it was unique to celebrate Christmas with a Mass at midnight in an attractive little square outside the San Sebastion Church. It was both memorable and moving, and at times amusing with exploding fireworks, barking dogs and enthusiastic guitars contributing to Christian worship. Earlier in the afternoon children had embarked on the ship and given us a Christmas Carol recital with a simple Nativity Play, followed by popular Christmas songs. Watching the earnest youthful faces singing and acting was touching and that sunny afternoon worked its own form of Christmas magic.

Fort Aguada Beach Goa

Some of the very wealthy passengers bought wonderful jewellery in Goa and a number of other beautiful items. On Christmas Day we privately met with friends and were shown the Portuguese Churches and the environs of Old Goa, which are attractive and interesting. There seemed a touch of unreality to our being there on Christmas Day in glorious warm sunshine. We had a luncheon party at The Taj Fort Aguada Resort which is beautifully situated and very nice. The other guests made their own choices as to how to spend Christmas Day and they were given the option of visiting the World Heritage site of Old Goa on Boxing Day, whilst we took things easy and enjoyed the ship.

We left Goa, with a warm breeze and beautiful red sunset and travelled northwards for a little to Murud Janjira. This was a 16th century capital of the Abyssinian Siddis and is now known chiefly for its lovely beach

Lobster bbq at Tarkhali Beach

fringed by long stretches of coconut palms. The Janjira island fortress is 300 years old and very impressive. To reach the fort one has to disembark from the ship into tenders and then into hodi boats which all added to the fun. The following day we visited Malvan and the impressive Sindhudurg Fort, which was built by the Maratta hero Shivaji in 1664. It is still occupied, but I would like it to be substantially cleaned and maintained as it really is a gem. When we left the fort we went by ship's tender to the little fishing port of Malvan from where we went by coach to a lovely beach called Tarkhali for a truly sumptuous lobster and seafood barbecue with curries and all sorts of other delectable food. This was most beautifully laid out under what is known in India as a shamiana but we in the West think of it as a marquee, with open sides. A swim was called for and thoroughly enjoyable in beautiful tepid water. That was a memorably enjoyable day.

Cochin's famous fishing nets

Ancient Cochin is a place I had never previously visited and it was lovely to arrive early in the morning by sea. It is blessed with a superb natural harbour created in a flood in 1341, its name is derived from kocchazhi meaning new harbour. Cochin boasts a wonderful array of architectural styles and there is a lot to see, plus if the time allows a visit to the famous Kerala Backwaters - a truly tranquil haven. The Jewish Synagogue is old and small and unique and the church of St Francis Xavier was the first ever European church in India. The cantilevered quayside Chinese fishing nets are so photogenic and when on the water one could find dolphins swimming if one looked carefully. The Spice Auctions are another essential attraction and we bought some beautiful linen for the table that had been worked by fishermen's wives to supplement the family income. The linen is sold in a little co-operative, and made wonderful easy gifts for family members.

Silhouette of ship with Hodi boats

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