By the time you read this, I'll be on my way to Chennai (what we used to call Madras), where I'm joining Silversea's newly refurbished Silver Wind for a cruise around the coast of India.
Internet connections willing, I'll be bringing you news and pictures from the ship and the places we visit.
Sadly, a visit to Colombo in Sri Lanka has been cancelled due to the "situation" (to quote the letter informing me of the change). A real shame as I was so looking forward to revisiting the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage there.
Instead we'll be calling at a place called Tuticorin (it's also known as Thoothukundi, but I think I'll stick with Tuticorin!), which my research tells me is the third-largest container port in India and home to one of the country's oldest railway stations. Wikipedia says the city is also called a nursery of volleyball. Whatever that might be.
I'll reserve judgement but I'm thinking we'd all be better off taking our chances with the elephants in Sri Lanka.
The cruise also calls at Visakhapatnam, Cochin, New Mangalore, Mormugao and ends in Mumbai.
Keep tuned.
Jane Archer
