Praslin, La Digue & Beyond, Seychelles 普拉兰岛、拉迪格岛, 塞舌尔
March 27, 2025
We spent two relaxing days at sea,……
在海上度过了两天宁静的航行后，。。。
March 27, 2025
We spent two relaxing days at sea, enjoying the many amenities offered on the ship. A typical sea day began with breakfast at the Market Place, accompanied by a latte and cappuccino. Afterwards, we would either head to the gym or take a walk around Deck 7.
At 9:30 a.m., sometimes, Chenggang attended a golf lesson, then joined Connie at 10:00 a.m. for a 45-minute lecture on destinations. During the 15-minute break before the next lecture at 11:00 a.m., we would stop by the Bistro on Deck 6 for coffee and snacks. After the second lecture, most likely on international fair and geopolitics, we typically enjoyed a buffet lunch at the Marketplace or dined at The BeefBar.
Our afternoons usually included a presentation on art performance at 1:30 p.m.. This was followed by a dance lesson at 2:30 p.m. and an art class at 3:30 p.m.—we would join one or sometimes both, depending on our energy levels.
After two peaceful days at sea, our ship finally anchored off Praslin Island, one of the sparkling gems of Seychelles. From there, we boarded a catamaran for an exciting day of island-hopping.
Our first stop was the nearby, privately owned Grande Soeur (Big Sister Island). We went ashore and hiked across the island to reach the beach on the other side — and what a beach it was. It was truly one of the most beautiful stretches of white sand we’ve ever set foot on. Along the way, we spotted crabs, tortoises, and a graceful white-tailed tropicbird soaring above.
After exploring, we swam and snorkeled our way back to the catamaran through crystal-clear waters.
Next, we headed to Coco Island, a tiny marine paradise known for its snorkeling. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate. Not long after we entered the water, the crew called everyone back aboard due to changing conditions. As soon as the last person was out of the water, the rain began — we felt lucky to have made it out just in time.
The catamaran then brought us to La Digue, a laid-back island famous for its car-free roads and relaxed vibe. From there, we were tendered back to the ship — just in time for a big, late lunch onboard. It was much needed after a morning filled with sun, sea, and adventure.
But our day wasn’t over yet.
In the late afternoon, Chenggang headed back out again alone, this time to visit one of the most beautiful beaches in the world — the legendary Anse Source d’Argent. With its surreal granite boulders, powdery white sand, and turquoise waters, it was every bit as magical as we imagined.
He made it back to the tender boat just in time — in fact, he was the last passengers to board before it pulled away from the island. What a perfect ending to an unforgettable day of island adventures in paradise.
Our cruise ship was repositioned third times in a day to dock in Mahe Island. Tomorrow is a disembarking and embarking day. We will stay for the next segment. After dinning at The Waterside, we enjoyed 4-hand Piano Spectacular at the Cove.
普拉兰岛、拉迪格岛, 塞舌尔
2025年3月27日
在海上度过了两天宁静的航行后，我们的邮轮从亚洲来到非洲，停泊在了塞舌尔的明珠之一——普拉兰岛（Praslin Island）外海。从这里我们乘坐接驳艇到岸上，然后我们登上了一艘双体船，开启了令人兴奋的跳岛之旅。
我们的第一站是附近私人拥有的大姐妹岛（Grande Soeur，又称Big Sister Island）。我们先登上岛，在岛上光着脚踏着草地和石子路，来到另一边的海滩——那片沙滩简直美得令人窒息，洁白细腻，是我们踏足过最美的沙滩之一。途中我们还看到了几只陆龟、几只螃蟹，还有一只长尾巴的白色鸟儿在空中优雅滑翔。在那里短暂停留后，我们又回到登陆点的海滩，在清澈的海水中浮潜并游回双体船。
接着我们前往可可岛（Coco Island），这是一座迷你的小岛，以浮潜天堂而闻名。只是天气变化无常，我们下水不久后便乌云笼罩，船员出于安全考虑叫大家全部返回船上。就在最后一人回到船上的时候，雨点开始落下——我们感到非常幸运，及时避开了风雨。
随后，双体船带我们抵达了拉迪格岛（La Digue），这是一座节奏缓慢、几乎没有机动车的小岛，以其悠闲的氛围和纯朴的自然风光闻名。从那里，我们乘坐接驳艇回到邮轮，正好赶上了一顿丰盛而稍晚的午餐——在阳光、海浪和暴风雨中度过了四个小时后，这顿饭显得格外满足。
但这一天的旅程还没有结束。午餐过后，我们再次回到拉迪格岛，步行前往那被誉为世界上最美丽的海滩之一——安斯叙尔斯达让（Anse Source d’Argent）。一路上，我们穿行在一辆辆迎面而来、飞驰而过的自行车之间，仿佛置身于一场岛屿上的慢生活与快节奏的交织。
那片海滩果然不负盛名——巨大的花岗岩巨石仿佛来自另一个星球，错落地伫立在洁白细腻的沙滩上，映衬着碧绿如玉的海水，如梦如幻，美得不真实。
我们最终及时赶回了接驳艇——事实上，我们是最后一批登船的乘客，船才缓缓离开岛屿。
我们的邮轮今天第三次移动停泊位置，靠岸了马埃岛（Mahé Island）。明天是旅客下船与新旅客登船的一天，而我们将继续留在船上，开启接下来的航程。
Crossing the Equator 穿越赤道
March 25, 2025
Today was a sea day, and the ocean was as calm as……
今天是海上航行的一天，。。。
March 25, 2025
Today was a sea day, and the ocean was as calm as a mirror—resembling a serene, glassy lake.
We attended two lectures: one about the Beach Boys and their influence on pop culture, and another on the geological time scale of the Earth. The speaker even brought a 4.03-billion-year-old ancient rock for everyone to touch—possibly one of the oldest rocks ever found on Earth. And the artworks by students from the art classes Chenggang attended were on display at the Cove.
In the afternoon, we enjoyed a delightful Viennese tea time, complete with elegant pastries and live violin, before heading to the highlight of the day: the Equator Crossing Ceremony.
Our ship was set to cross the Equator today, and in maritime tradition, this milestone was celebrated with a spirited ceremony on the open deck. Historically, sailors who hadn’t crossed the equator by sea were known as “Pollywogs.” Having crossed it before in 2020, we were already “Shellbacks,” the title given to those who have previously made the journey.
To honor the occasion, the crew organized a lively Line-Crossing Ceremony. With plenty of laughter and good-natured antics, “King Neptune” and his queen presided over the ritual transformation of Pollywogs into proud Shellbacks. The event featured hilarious challenges, including the infamous “kiss the fish” rite and the messy fun of tossing noodles and colored food dye at participating crew members—yes, even the captain got doused before being gently “thrown” into the pool.
The whole affair was filled with laughter, creating a lighthearted and unforgettable atmosphere among everyone.
穿越赤道
2025年3月25日
今天是海上航行的一天，海面平静得如同镜子，宛如一潭宁静的湖水。
我们参加了两场讲座，一场讲的是“海滩男孩”（Beach Boys）乐队及其对流行文化的影响，另一场则讲述了地球的地质年代。讲师还带来了一块距今40.3亿年的远古岩石m might 供大家触摸，这可能是地球上最古老的岩石之。
下午，我们在船上享受了一场优雅的维也纳下午茶，一边品尝精致的点心和三明治，一边聆听现场的小提琴演奏，十分惬意。
而这一天最令人期待的，就是穿越赤道。按照航海传统，这一重要时刻会通过一场别具一格的“赤道洗礼仪式”来庆祝。在航海界，有一种说法：那些从未乘船跨越过赤道的人被称为“青蛙仔”（Pollywogs）；而一旦完成穿越，就会晋升为“海神的子民”（Shellbacks）。我们早在2020年就已完成了第一次穿越，因此这次是以“老兵”的身份参加。
为了纪念这一时刻，船员们在露天甲板上举行了一场热闹非凡的仪式。在一片笑声中，“海王尼普顿”（King Neptune）与王后隆重登场，主持了青蛙仔们的“转正”仪式。现场充满各种滑稽的环节，包括著名的“亲吻大鱼”传统，以及将彩色面条和染料泼向参与仪式的船员们——就连船长也未能幸免，最终在大家的欢呼声中被“温柔”地推入泳池。
整场活动笑声不断，气氛轻松愉快，给人留下了难以忘怀的回忆。乘客与船员们一同分享了这一特殊的航海传统，也让这段旅程变得更加精彩和生动。
Malé, Maldives-Day 2 马累，马尔代夫
March 24, 2025
This morning, we started early with a visit to the Malé Fish Market……
今天一早，我们前往马累鱼市和附近的本地市场。。。
March 24, 2025
This morning, we started early with a visit to the Malé Fish Market and nearby local market. The fish market was just opening and was quite small, but offered a glimpse into the city’s seafood culture.
We continued walking westward along the coast toward the Tsunami Monument, built in memory of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami victims. The monument itself was simple and, to be honest, not particularly impressive. But the walk there took us through a lovely coastal park, where we paused to enjoy the breeze and take a well-needed break.
Next, we visited two of Malé’s most important religious landmarks: the Old Friday Mosque (Hukuru Miskiy) and the Grand Friday Mosque. The Old Friday Mosque, built in the 17th century from coral stone, is a remarkable structure with intricate carvings and a deep sense of history. In contrast, the Grand Friday Mosque, with its iconic golden dome, dominates the skyline and represents modern Islamic architecture in the Maldives.
We were allowed to enter the mosque, but Connie needed to cover her head. A kind security guard lent us a scarf and even offered a brief tour, taking a few photos for us. He gently hinted that the scarf could be bought at the local market for $20. At the end of the visit, we decided to offer him $20 and kept the beautiful scarf — it may come in handy during the rest of our journey.
When most people think of the Maldives, they picture luxury resorts perched over turquoise waters. We didn’t see that — not in Malé. Instead, we walked through the heart of a working island city, witnessing everyday Maldivians living and working to support the tourism industry that the country is so famous for.
Spending a full day in Malé gave us a taste of authentic island life, far from the curated experiences of five-star resorts. It was raw, real, and deeply human.
As our ship departed the Maldives this afternoon, we looked out toward the horizon and finally caught a glimpse of those distant resort islands — little dots of paradise surrounded by endless blue. And while we didn’t get to experience that side of the Maldives firsthand this time, we left with something just as memorable: a deeper understanding of the people and places behind the postcard-perfect images.
马累，马尔代夫
2025年3月24日
今天一早，我们前往马累鱼市和附近的本地市场。鱼市刚刚开张，规模不大。随后我们沿着海岸向西步行，前往海啸纪念碑，该纪念碑是为悼念2004年印度洋海啸的遇难者而建。纪念碑本身较为简洁，坦白说并不令人惊艳。但沿途经过的滨海公园却非常宜人，我们在那里短暂停留，享受微风和片刻的宁静。
接着，我们参观了马累两座最重要的宗教地标：星期五古清真寺（Hukuru Miskiy）和国家大清真寺。前者建于17世纪，由珊瑚石建成，是一座极具历史感的建筑，雕刻精美，气质沉稳。后者则以其金色圆顶成为城市天际线的标志，展现了马尔代夫现代伊斯兰建筑的风貌。
我们获准进入大清真寺参观，但佩民必须遮住头发。一位友善的保安借给我们一条头巾，并热情地带我们参观，还帮我们拍了几张照片。临别时他轻声提及，这条头巾在市场上售价约为20美元。我们最终决定给他20美元并留下了这条漂亮的头巾——或许在之后的旅程中还会派上用场。
当人们谈起马尔代夫，脑海中浮现的往往是建在碧蓝海水上的奢华度假村。而我们这次没有看到那些画面——至少在马累没有。我们所见的是一座正在运作的岛屿城市，一群为旅游业默默付出的普通马尔代夫人。
今天下午，当我们的船慢慢地离开马尔代夫时，我们终于在地平线的远方看到了那些点缀在碧海上的度假小岛——如梦如幻，宛如天堂的点点绿洲。
Malé, Maldives-Day 1 马累，马尔代夫
March 23, 2025
The morning began with an unforgettable snorkeling excursion……
经过又一天的海上行。。。
March 23, 2025
The morning began with an unforgettable snorkeling excursion just off the coast of Malé. After being tendered to Jetty No. 2, we boarded another boat that took us to our first snorkeling site. The water was calm and crystal-clear. We spotted countless tropical fish and even a graceful turtle gliding by.
Unfortunately, our underwater camera had broken on a previous trip, so we have no pictures to share — but the memories are vivid. After about 30 minutes at the first reef, we moved to another site where even more marine life awaited us. Connie spotted a white-tip reef shark, while Chenggang was thrilled to see many Moorish Idol fish — the very same fish he had drawn in his art classes on the ship.
Gliding over coral gardens teeming with life, surrounded by vibrant fish, we agreed it was the best snorkeling experience we’ve ever had. After an hour in the water, we were completely exhausted — and more than ready for a delicious lunch back on the ship at BeefBar.
In the afternoon, we ventured out on foot to explore Malé. The city is incredibly compact and densely built — it feels like every square inch of land has been used. We walked along the island’s eastern coast, passing by King Salman Mosque, the Artificial Beach, and Lonuziyaaraiy Park, enjoying glimpses of daily life in the capital.
Our destination was the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, also known as the Sinamalé Bridge — a modern structure linking Malé with Hulhulé (home of the international airport) and Hulhumalé. Funded and built by China, the bridge is a symbol of international cooperation. Walking along the waterfront and seeing the bridge stretch across the sea was a sharp contrast to the older, crowded streets of the city.
We did walk a portion of the bridge, but the heat and humidity were overwhelming. Eventually, we turned around and made our way back to the ship. By sunset, traffic had reached its peak — motorbikes, cars, and pedestrians filled the streets. But when the adhan (call to prayer) echoed through the city, everything stopped. People headed to the mosques, and suddenly the streets were eerily quiet — no honking, no revving engines.
Then, as soon as the prayer ended, families gathered for iftar, breaking their fast together. It is Ramadan. From sunrise to sunset, they abstain from food and water. We deeply admired their spiritual discipline and sacrifice — we felt dehydrated even while drinking water!
马累，马尔代夫
2025年3月23日
经过又一天的海上行，我们的邮轮来到马累(Malé）岛——这座虽小却充满活力的马尔代夫首都。早晨，我们参加了浮潜，我们先乘坐接驳船抵达2号码头，然后换乘另一艘当地的小船，前往第一个浮潜点。那里的海水平静清澈，我们看见了无数热带鱼，甚至还有一只优雅的海龟从我们身边滑过。
可惜的是，我们的水下相机在上一次旅行中已经损坏，因此这次无法留下任何照片——但那些五彩斑斓的画面依旧清晰地留在我们的记忆中。大约在第一个珊瑚礁区停留了30分钟后，我们前往了另一个浮潜点，那里有更多的海洋生物等待我们。除了更多漂亮的鱼之外，Connie幸运的见到了一条白鳍礁鲨，而成刚则惊喜地看见了许多摩尔神仙鱼——这正是他在船上的艺术课程中曾画过的鱼。这是我们有史以来最棒的一次浮潜体验。水中一个小时后，我们已筋疲力尽，迫不及待地回到船上，在BeefBar享用了美味的午餐。
午后，我们上岸步行探索马累岛。整个城市非常紧凑且高度开发——几乎每一寸土地都被充分利用。我们沿着东海岸步行，路过萨勒曼国王清真寺、人工沙滩以及Lonuziyaaraiy 公园，一边走一边感受这座首都的日常生活气息。
我们的目的地是中马友谊大桥，它连接着马累、国际机场所在的胡鲁勒岛以及新兴的胡鲁马累岛。这座由中国出资并建造的现代化大桥，是两国合作的象征。在滨海步道上远望大桥横跨海面，画面与城市中老旧而密集的街道形成鲜明对比。
我们试着走上大桥，但炎热与湿度令人难以忍受。只走了一小段后便掉头返回船上。日落时分，城市交通达到了高峰——摩托车、汽车和行人挤满了街头。然而，当穆斯林的**祈祷呼声（adhan）**响彻全岛，一切都停止了。人们纷纷走向清真寺，街道突然变得出奇地安静——没有喇叭声，也没有引擎轰鸣。
祷告结束后，海边渔船及各种小游船上的船员们围坐一起，开始吃开斋饭（iftar）。正值斋月（Ramadan），从日出到日落，他们禁食、禁水。我们由衷敬佩他们的精神与自律——在炎热潮湿天气下，即便我们可以饮水，依然感到口干舌燥。
Colombo, Sri Lanka 科伦坡，斯里兰卡
March 21, 2025
After a day at sea, we were eager to see land again……
前天的印度旧果阿之行，。。。
March 21, 2025
After a day at sea, we were eager to see land again. As we disembarked, we were warmly welcomed at the port with traditional folk dances. Small booths had been set up along the terminal, offering local souvenirs for visitors.
We were originally on the waiting list for the city tour, so we planned to explore Colombo on foot. However, at the last minute, we managed to get tickets for the tour—a fortunate change that spared us from the intense heat.
Instead of walking, the tour bus took us around the city center, passing notable landmarks such as the Old Dutch Hospital, Pettah, the striking Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque), Independence Square, and several other sights before making a stop at the National Museum.
We spent about an hour in the museum, admiring a fascinating collection of artifacts. Unfortunately, the building lacks air conditioning, and the hot, humid air made it difficult to fully enjoy the experience.
Next, we visited the Gangaramaya Temple, a must-see Buddhist temple known for its eclectic architectural style. The temple houses a vast array of Buddha statues—from towering ten-foot figures to one so tiny it can only be seen through a microscope.
The tour concluded at the legendary Galle Face Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in Asia and featured in “1,000 Places to See Before You Die” by Patricia Schultz. At King of Mambo, the hotel’s oceanfront terrace, we enjoyed a light snack and a cup of famous Sri Lankan tea. With the sea breeze and beautiful view, it was a much-needed break from the heat and a perfect way to end the tour.
We were treated to a beautiful rainbow and a stunning sunset. At the night, the Lotus Tower lit up in shifting colors, while inside the ship, the White Night Party was in full swing.
科伦坡，斯里兰卡
2025年3月21日
前天的印度旧果阿之行，因为天气实在太湿热让我们有点中暑。二天的海上行，正好让我们好好休息一下，尽情享受邮轮上提供的各种设施。典型的海上航行日从在 Market Place 的早餐开始，配上一杯拿铁和卡布奇诺。随后，我们要么去健身房锻炼，要么绕着7层甲板散步。
早上 9:30，成刚会去上高尔夫课，然后在 10:00 加入Connie，一起听一场 45分钟的讲座。在接下来的 15分钟休息时间，我们会去 6层甲板的Bistro 喝咖啡、吃点小点心。第二场讲座结束后，我们通常会去 Market Place 吃自助午餐，或者选择在 The BeefBar 用餐。
下午的安排通常包括 1:30 的一场关于艺术与表演的讲座，之后是 2:30 的舞蹈课程和 3:30 的艺术课——我们会根据体力情况选择参加其中一项，或者两项都参加。
傍晚时分，我们常常会到 Cove 酒吧来一杯晚餐前的饮品，通常点一杯无酒精鸡尾酒（mocktail），一边欣赏现场钢琴或者小提琴演奏。之后，我们会在 6:30 左右享用早一点的晚餐，然后观看 9:30 的晚间演出。尽管船上的夜生活在演出结束后仍持续进行，但我们总是选择回房休息，结束一天的行程。
两天的海上航行后，我们已迫不及待地想要再次踏上陆地。下船时，我们受到了港口工作人员的热情欢迎，还有当地的传统民俗舞蹈表演。码头沿线还设有一些小摊位，向游客们出售当地的纪念品。
我们原本未能预定到科伦坡精华游，我们计划自己步行游览科伦坡。然而，就在最后一刻，我们很幸运等到了参团的票——这一幸运的转变让我们免受酷热的折磨。
观光巴士载着我们绕行市中心，沿途我们经过了许多著名地标，包括古老的荷兰医院、佩塔市场、造型独特的贾米·乌尔·阿法清真寺（又称红色清真寺）、独立广场等，最终在国家博物馆停留参观。
我们在博物馆内停留了大约一小时，那里收藏着不少文物。可惜的是，馆内没有空调，闷热潮湿的空气让我们难以尽兴参观。
接下来我们参观了甘加拉玛寺，这是一座必看的佛教寺庙，以其多元融合的建筑风格闻名。寺中收藏了种类繁多的佛像，从高达十英尺的巨像，到小到必须用显微镜才能看清的微型佛像，应有尽有。
最后一站是传奇的加勒菲斯酒店（Galle Face Hotel），这家酒店是亚洲最古老的酒店之一，也被帕特里夏·舒尔茨收录在《人生必去的1000个地方》一书中。我们在酒店面向大海的露台餐厅 King of the Mambo 享用了点心和著名的锡兰红茶。海风轻拂，景色宜人，这段悠闲时光为炎热奔波的精华游画上了完美的句号。
Exploring Old Goa 老果阿
March 19, 2025
Disembarking at the Mormugao cruise terminal,…..
今天是这次邮轮的第一站，。。。
March 19, 2025
Disembarking at the Mormugao cruise terminal, we set out to explore the historic churches of Old Goa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its grand Portuguese-era architecture and deep Christian heritage. To make the most of our limited time, we hired a taxi, which initially quoted $90 for the tour, but after negotiation, we settled on $50—still well above the local rate.
The 45-minute drive to Old Goa took us through lush tropical landscapes, offering glimpses of the region’s rich history beyond its famed beaches.
Our first stop was the Basilica of Bom Jesus, one of the most famous churches in India and a UNESCO-listed Baroque masterpiece. The church is best known for housing the remains of St. Francis Xavier, whose tomb lies within. No photography is permitted inside, which added to the solemnity of the experience. The basilica’s grandeur and historical significance made it a meaningful start to our tour.
Next, we walked across the street to Se Cathedral, one of the largest churches in Asia. The vast white façade and golden altarpiece were impressive, but the experience of walking under the scorching sun to reach the entrance made us realize just how intense the Goan heat could be.
Our third stop was the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, a unique fusion of Manueline, Tuscan, and Baroque architectural styles. The adjoining museum housed colonial-era artifacts, religious paintings, and sculptures, offering a deeper look into Goa’s Portuguese legacy. However, with no air conditioning inside, the heat was unbearable, so we walked through quickly, barely taking in the details. We then made a quick stop at the Chapel of St. Catherine, one of the lesser-visited sites in Old Goa.
Our last stop in Old Goa was the St. Augustine Tower, one of the region’s most iconic ruins. Originally part of the St. Augustine Church, the 46-meter-high tower is all that remains of what was once one of the largest churches in Goa. Unlike the crowded basilicas, this area was nearly deserted, allowing us to take in the grandeur of the crumbling structure in solitude. The contrast between the well-preserved churches and these haunting ruins made this one of the most memorable stops of the day.
On our way back to the cruise terminal, we made a brief stop in Vasco da Gama town to visit Shri Narsimha Sateri Devi Temple, a small yet significant temple for the local Hindu community. We also paused for a photo at the Old Vasco Clock Tower, a historic landmark that once served as the town’s central timepiece.
This tour marked the end of our one-week visit to India, a journey filled with unexpected experiences and lasting impressions. India offers a vibrant blend of contrasts—where overwhelming crowds and never-ending honking meet warm hospitality, and where grand palaces and modern skyscrapers stand beside bustling slums. The resilience and ability to survive in challenging conditions left us with admiration and deep respect for the people of this fascinating country.
After returning from the tour, we dropped by the Bistro for a few light snacks. Dinner was at the long-awaited UMI UMA by Nobu, our favorite Japanese restaurant on the cruise. We ordered many of our usual favorites and also tried a new dish—Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna Tartare. The deep-fried rice cakes reminded us of Chinese ci fan gao (sticky rice cakes). We liked it so much that after finishing the first plate, we ordered a second one.
老果阿
2025年3月19日
今天是这次邮轮的第一站，抵达莫尔穆冈（Mormugao）邮轮码头后，我们踏上了探索老果阿（Old Goa）的旅程。这座城市被联合国教科文组织列为世界文化遗产，以其宏伟的葡萄牙殖民时期建筑和深厚的基督教文化而闻名。旧果阿离我们的船码头有些距离，在码头外，我们租了一辆出租车，起初司机开价90美元，经过一番讨价还价，我们最终以50美元成交——但仍远高于当地的价格。
经过45分钟车程，我们的第一站是邦波耶稣大教堂（Basilica of Bom Jesus），这是印度最著名的教堂之一，也是一座联合国教科文组织列出的巴洛克风格杰作。教堂最为著名的是保存完好的圣方济·沙勿略（St. Francis Xavier）遗体安息在华丽的圣棺中，吸引着世界各地的朝圣者。教堂内部禁止拍照。
接下来，我们冒着炎炎烈日穿过街道，前往圣凯瑟琳大教堂（Se Cathedral）。这座教堂是亚洲最大的教堂之一，洁白的外墙和镀金的祭坛令人叹为观止。然而，在炙热的阳光下步行并不轻松，我们很快意识到果阿的酷暑是多么让人难以忍受。
我们的第三站是圣方济各·阿西西教堂（Church of St. Francis of Assisi），它融合了马努埃尔式、托斯卡纳式和巴洛克式建筑风格。毗邻的博物馆收藏了殖民时期的文物、宗教绘画和雕塑，展示了果阿深厚的葡萄牙文化遗产。然而，博物馆没有空调，闷热难耐，我们只能快速浏览后匆匆离开。随后，我们短暂停留在圣凯瑟琳小教堂（Chapel of St. Catherine），这是一处较少游客造访的历史遗迹。
在老果阿的最后一站，我们来到圣奥古斯丁塔（St. Augustine Tower），这里是该地区最具标志性的遗迹之一。曾经的圣奥古斯丁教堂如今仅存下一座高46米的塔楼，而这座教堂曾是果阿最大的教堂之一。站在遗迹之间，我们不禁想象着当年的辉煌景象。这座教堂因被遗弃和年久失修而逐渐倒塌，如今只剩下这座孤独的塔楼，与我们刚刚参观的完好无损的教堂形成鲜明对比。幸运的是，这里游客稀少，只有我们两人，让我们得以静静欣赏这片宁静而神秘的遗址。
在返回邮轮码头的途中，我们短暂停留在瓦斯科达伽马镇（Vasco da Gama），参观了Shri Narsimha Sateri Devi神庙，这座小型的印度教寺庙对当地社区具有重要意义。随后，我们在瓦斯科老钟楼（Old Vasco Clock Tower）前停留拍照，这座葡萄牙殖民时期的历史地标，曾是该镇的中心时钟。
今天的旅程标志着我们为期一周的印度之行的结束，这次的印度游有着许多意想不到的经历，给我们留下深刻的印象。
晚餐是期待已久的UMI UMA by NuBu, 邮轮上我们最喜欢的日本餐厅。点了许多以前常吃的东西，还尝试了新口味CRISPY RICE WITH SPICY TUNA TARTARE， 油炸的米饭糕块像中国的糍饭糕，吃完一份又叫了第二份。
Back on Crystal Cruises 重回水晶邮轮
March 18, 2025
Our weeklong journey through India was coming to an end……
近一周的印度游接近尾声，。。。
March 18, 2025
Our weeklong journey through India was coming to an end. Today, we were set to embark our beloved Crystal Cruises ship in Mumbai, marking the start of our next voyage—this time sailing from India to South Africa.
After breakfast, we took a stroll along the Marine Drive just outside our hotel. It was fairly quiet in the morning, though this seaside promenade—often called the most romantic stretch in Mumbai—is packed with people by night. We returned to the hotel to check out and ordered a car to the cruise terminal. To our surprise, the car that arrived didn’t have a trunk. As we were still wondering what to do with our suitcases, the driver and hotel staff expertly hoisted both pieces of luggage onto the roof—clearly a routine move for them.
After passing through multiple rounds of security checks at the port, we finally boarded the Crystal Symphony—the same ship we sailed on last summer in Spain. As per tradition, we headed straight to the buffet for a hearty meal. Although we both enjoy Indian cuisine, after a full week of it, we were ready for a change. Returning to familiar flavors felt like coming home.
At the end of last year, the cruise line replaced its former Asian restaurant with the only BeefBar at sea, part of a world-renowned luxury dining brand famous for its top-quality beef and creative dishes. Tonight, we decided to give it a try. Everything on the menu was included except the Kobe steak, which came at a hefty $500 per piece. We ordered Angus steaks, which were excellent, and the Korean-style beef buns were a creative twist.
At 7 p.m., the ship set sail from Mumbai, accompanied by the song “What a Wonderful World.” As usual, the evening show was scheduled for 9:15 p.m. While the first night’s performance tends to follow a familiar format, we still went along for the fun of it—just part of the cruise experience.
重回水晶邮轮
2025年3月18日
近一周的印度游接近尾声，今天我们将在孟买（Mumbai ）再一次登上我们钟爱的水晶邮轮公司(Crystal Cruises)的船，开启我们从印度到南非的邮轮之旅。
早餐后先去酒店门外的海滨大道走了走，人不多。这条被称为最浪漫的大道晚上是人满为患。接着回酒店退了房，叫了车去船码头。没想到等来了一辆没行李车厢的小车，我们俩还在想箱子该怎么办，司机和酒店人员已经熟练地把二个行李箱放到车顶上。
来到船码头，经过一遍又一遍的核查终于踏上水晶交响号（Crystal Symphony), 她是我们去年夏天在西班牙坐过的同一艘邮轮。老规矩，我们上船后直奔自助餐厅，好好地美餐了一顿。虽说我们俩喜欢印度饭，但一星期下来已吃腻，终于可以换口味了，回到熟悉的世界多好。
邮轮在去年底将之前的亚洲餐厅改为海上唯一的一家BeefBar, 它是享誉全球的高端餐厅品牌，以其顶级牛肉和创新料理而闻名。今天晚上我们就去尝个新鲜。菜单上除了Kobe 牛排是额外收费（$500 一块牛排），其它所有的美食都随便吃。我们要的Angus牛排的确不错，韩国肉包子也有新意。晚上七点我们的船在“What a wonderful world”的歌声中离开孟买（Mumbai）。音乐演出照旧安排在晚上9:15，其实这邮轮每次的第一场演出几乎都是一样的，第一天上船，我们也就去凑个热闹。