How I love India, however jaded, jet lagged and cynical you are, India will disarm,  occasionally alarm and, most certainly, charm. Having spent the best part of 20 hours travelling, the hairdryer heat of India was a momentary distraction as I settled into my cool, air con car and idly stared out of the window anticipating a quiet rest of the day acclimatising myself with some gentle unpacking and a cool drink in my hotel. Exactly as anticipated, a charming greeting, a necklace of fresh flowers and, at last, the cool quiet interior of my room- except, except for the addition of Mr Bo, my room butler. Bustling Mr Bo immediately took charge, swishing curtains back and forward, flushing loos to demonstrate their undoubted efficacy and, bewilderingly, supervising my unpacking! Each item was scrutinised, considered, viewed from a number of angles- and then moved from wherever I had put it with an accompanying mutter of ‘placement Madam, placement’  – and the addition of a small square of white linen on which to sit the offending item. Hairbrush was irrevocably separated from hairspray, toothpaste marooned in the middle of the coffee table in splendid isolation until at last, exhausted by our enforced collaboration, I went in search of supper. Climbing the stairs, slowly, my legs felt as if I was wearing diving weights, and there was the irrepressible, Mr Bo heading downwards. Rather ungratefully I experienced a moment of relief, least he wasn’t going to supervise my makeup removal. Arrived at room, opened door and headed straight to the bathroom for a quick shower- to be greeted by a freshly drawn bath, at the perfect temperature and crowned with a blanket of fresh rose petals floating in a fragrant kaleidoscope of reds and pinks. See what I mean, India gets you ever time, maximum respect Mr Bo.

Entrepreneurship

I love to snorkel, I love the way that as soon as you pop your mask underwater the noise of the world is left behind and a new world unfolds. It is easy to loose track of time – I have a really bad habit of doing this – and following fish is great but remember to occasionally stick your head up to see where you are, absolutely essential no matter if you are snorkelling from a beach or from a boat, this is really a reminder to me! My first snorkel in the Caribbean was made more challenging by the new underwater camera hanging from my wrist. I absolutely know that one is not supposed to snorkel with the camera attached to any part of ones anatomy, but I also know that I do not want to see said camera disappearing downwards as I fumble to keep mask, snorkel and fins in place – oh yes this snorkelling lark can be a tad complicated- not to mention the strands of hair that float seaweed like having escaped from whatever band I firmly trapped them in.
However, having discarded my first two pictures – my left foot and some seaweed. I eventually did manage to focus on some denizens of the deep, nothing dramatic, and I am not entering any wildlife competitions but I think my fishy friends are fab – so enjoy, posting shortly.
Incidentally, if anyone had any ideas that the post snorkel look was akin to emerging Venus like from the sea, tousled hair playing about the face in the gentle breeze, forget it. Any stray mascara, waterproof or not, gives you the panda look, the hair resembles an unravelled plastic dish scrubber and then there is the runny nose thing – I will draw a veil over it except to say runny nose or not it was worth it!

I can think of few things more pleasurable than sailing along on a sunny Caribbean afternoon aboard my favourite ship MS Braemar, heading towards Cuba. This follows a couple of lazy days at sea catching up with the new things onboard, love the coffee bar, already a morning favourite and enjoying that which we always enjoy, a delightful small ship, with all of the amenities one needs and none of the superfluous ones
After the normal long flight, patience and tolerance to the fore, we were amply rewarded by the aeroplane doors opening to reveal a bright and welcoming Bajun sun.
Day one was spent aboard the totally delightful Friendship Rose, a beautiful sailing boat with a long history, restored and ready to sail along the coast of St Vincent, stopping off for a snorkel and a spot of beach, the bluest of skies and some local delicacies, bananas,sweet and delicious,nothing like the blotting paper variety we are treated to at home, fresh coconut water, ginger biscuits and, of course,rum punch,post swimming to ensure that any fish we saw were seen singly and not in pairs!
Will report from Cuba where the weather is looking good and the prospect of a tour in one of the iconic cars beckons!

Sailing from MS Braemar
Aboard the Friendship Rose