The voyage that was...
On board Star Cruise Libra.
Fresh and clear morning of wednesday 23rd May 2007. I was upp early excited to take on the Voyage that was first of its kind in my life. I had some work lined up at home which i had to finish before I started my bag packing. I completed that and got to my bag packing .A small black shoulder carrier was my baggae as planned, with three new Tees I bought for this trip and the regular travel stuff.
At office when I reached at qurter past twelve it was all a buzz as people were in a hurry to print their boarding passes and confirmation slips. The printer finally gave up and jammed so horribly that no one could print after 50-70 pages in total. Well all took lunch at office and boarded the bus, with three bus leaders leading the way. The mix of people in the Bus was done very thoughtfuly with families in one bus and the Dunga gang in the other. Third one I have no clue as the mix and atmosphere.
Fresh and clear morning of wednesday 23rd May 2007. I was upp early excited to take on the Voyage that was first of its kind in my life. I had some work lined up at home which i had to finish before I started my bag packing. I completed that and got to my bag packing .A small black shoulder carrier was my baggae as planned, with three new Tees I bought for this trip and the regular travel stuff.
At office when I reached at qurter past twelve it was all a buzz as people were in a hurry to print their boarding passes and confirmation slips. The printer finally gave up and jammed so horribly that no one could print after 50-70 pages in total. Well all took lunch at office and boarded the bus, with three bus leaders leading the way. The mix of people in the Bus was done very thoughtfuly with families in one bus and the Dunga gang in the other. Third one I have no clue as the mix and atmosphere.
Busses reached the Ballard Port or Indira port near VT. The huge vessel Superstar Libra was now visible through the small gaps of Naval Dock. White color clad over the ship was absolute charm to see and the Blue Exaust cover gave any on looker a envy feeling. There she stood in the sea waiting for us to board. The Boarding processes was a bit too much of a hassel I thought. it was more of a Indian raliway station, displaying the density of Indian population. We did have some tiff with some fellow passengers of other groups. Well these things are part and parcel of travel but were least expected on our way to the HUGE and Gorgeous Superstar Libra.
By 7:30 in the evening we were in our rooms and getting ready to hit the deck 9. Many of us who reached early were already up enjoying the Sunset. The feel to be on this vessel was awesome and overwhelming. The lobby where they welcomed all the guest was small but well suited for a ship. Some Philipino and Burmeese friends flashing out a welcome at us, with the erythromycn gel (I guess for the security purposes ;)... and cleanliness). The rooms were aptly equipped with the neccesities for two. A bath corner where one person like me would cram to fit in. The rooms were small as per my expectations, but again I was not so keen on staying in the room after I came onboard Libra. I wanted to explore the ship, the first vessel I ever boarded in my life till date.
The Deck 9 was the place to be on the first evening as the party had already begun for all on board. Some had snacks after they came in, I missed them :(... then I was all set for a rocking evening. it was arround the same time I felt the thunders in my legs, I realised those gigantic propellers had started. on wing of those was my hight! they were really HUGE! the ship blew the BIG horn... She was ready to sail... The thunder underneath was only getting heavier and more un-comforting. First sailing experience had put me in the observation mode, so even if there was small little thing I observed in her motions, I would say may be thats how they sail... :). It was barely sometime that we had come on the top deck that the crew called for a mandatory safety drill. where they assembled all the guest on their designated exit points and then briefed them about safety equipments available on board. and how to go dis-embarked in case of eventuality. (This is Important.)
Soon after that drill I had the nice long tour of deck 6 for myself. It was the longest deck available for passengers to explore with Basketball courts and jogging track. After checking the deck 6 and I peeked outside the ship to see whats the speed like and i was shocked to see the speed at which this HUGE vessel was moving. She was CRUISING!!! I just kept watching that wave trearing speed for some time and then proceeded towards the Deck 9 for the party I left halfway through. The DJ was playing music all guns (? may be speakers) out and the Junta as expected had hit the floor rocking the party. It was simply breath taking to see that big party on a ship. It was like a big wedding reception.
Then we all had nice dinner and went on to our rooms to sleep. The next day morning was amazing, cloudy, and gloomy. But as the time passed sky started clearing and the golden rays of the morning Sun beamed through those slits in the clouds.
The day began with a lot of enthusiasm and energy. Most of us enjoyed ourself at the Swimming pool and then moved to restaurants on the variosu deks for our morning breakfast. They are very particular about the timing on the ship, so this time around we made sure we were on time and had the sumptuous breakfast. I use to have the 3 course breakfast, 4 course lunch and dinner. ;-).... Typical "Puneri... Ishtyle"
We guys (our Company employees) were asked to fall in on the Deck 9 at something like 11:00 AM with the Sun coming down full blaze, to give us the feeling of Sun BATH. That was time for some fun and team building exercise. It was nice set of games organized by the Crew members and some of our team members.
It was a set of games which we guys enjoyed a lot then proceeded to the restaurants for lunch before we reached Goa port. The ship docked, the turbines stopped propelling and the vessel was anchored at Vasco port. Is this the port where Vasco-Da-Gamma had landed? I am not sure though but as far as I understand yes it was the same.Then we all had nice dinner and went on to our rooms to sleep. The next day morning was amazing, cloudy, and gloomy. But as the time passed sky started clearing and the golden rays of the morning Sun beamed through those slits in the clouds.
The day began with a lot of enthusiasm and energy. Most of us enjoyed ourself at the Swimming pool and then moved to restaurants on the variosu deks for our morning breakfast. They are very particular about the timing on the ship, so this time around we made sure we were on time and had the sumptuous breakfast. I use to have the 3 course breakfast, 4 course lunch and dinner. ;-).... Typical "Puneri... Ishtyle"We guys (our Company employees) were asked to fall in on the Deck 9 at something like 11:00 AM with the Sun coming down full blaze, to give us the feeling of Sun BATH. That was time for some fun and team building exercise. It was nice set of games organized by the Crew members and some of our team members.
We were not able to decide about how to go out for shopping, as in who all should go together and all that. So, finally after a listening to a live music performance we finally decided who all will go to the market. rented a Summo jeep for whooping 1500 Bucks for mere 50 KMs and we gave it... But it was nice fun. We did a lot of shopping and I bought my self a Cowboy Cap which was a big hit everyone I met afterwards. It was real fun out there in the market.
After the market we went to the beach to see the Sunset and I was all fallen for the natural beauty that was around (barring the sea of people that I saw at the beach). but over all it was nice I clicked something like 30+ Pics of Sea, Sunset, and our group. It was simply beautiful... One my frnds managed to put the best of those on her piccassa photo stream, which won themself many laurel from the Viewers. The Sunset was one of the best clicks I ever did in my clicking history which does not go very far though.
then we came back on the ship, she was all set sail. We came in and goot in to out room. Put our belongings back in the room gott some breath and then hit the top floor where we could see her make the move. She finally sailed at around 21:30 hour almost an hour earlier than expected. We we again in the middle of the sea. It was scary to have that amount of water all around you. But well it was a experience in itself... the up and down of the vessel got some a bit nervous but then as the trip progressed they got use to itt. Next day morning all knew they have to get down a few hours later so they were all the way in a mood to explore the parts of the ship they did not explore earlier. I could not go in the Casino though as they objected on my smart casual wear which I was in no mood to change. ;-)... Well not a problem i have something to look forward when I visit another Cruise liner in my life. A good experience I would say.
posted by Rudra aka Atul Shashank Kulkarni @ 9:46 PM
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