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Saturday, April 25, 2015

Sailing in the Bay of Bengal ~ Heading to HRA

We are India bound as I write this update! As I wrote in the last update, our internet strength is great, but Live Writer (the program I use for blog writing) is refusing to recognize my whereabouts so I am back to Blogger until sometime in the future. . .therefore posts will be brief; but I did want to write a quick update.

Leaving Singapore

We've left the "Far East" part of this Oceania cruise called the "Far East Odyssey" and are heading for India following an amazing three-day stop in Yangon, Myanmar (aka Rangoon, Burma - its old name). It was an amazing, yet-unspoiled-by-mass-tourism destination that deserves several blog posts when time and internet allow.



Yangon, Myanmar
It was a good introduction to the exotic and different ports of call we have ahead of us the next couple of weeks.  We are today sailing the beautiful Bay of Bengal, the largest bay in the world which is part of the northeastern Indian Ocean.  We are slicing through this triangular shaped body of water and will sail south of Sri Lanka en route to our next stop Cochin, India.

Saturday morning
Because many of you were a bit nervous about safety along this exotic route we've chosen to experience, I wanted to assure you that safety is taken most seriously here. This ship, Nautica, was attacked by pirates back in 2008 as it plied the waters we are heading to in a few days. The story has become like a legend among passengers and the bottom line is the pirates never reached the ship.

But for safety's sake we've been notified that we are going to be entering an area known as High Risk Area (HRA) for Piracy as we travel from India to the Gulf of Aden (yes, it is the one by Yemen, but we aren't talking about war - just pirates).  We also will have a pirate attack safety drill tomorrow and have been given certain instructions for on board while we sail the area.

"While sailing through the HRA we will be in permanent contact with an International Task Force, including U.S. and U.K. naval forces that are assigned to protect merchant vessels from pirate attack by a United Nations mandate," says the letter from our Captain.


Off Phuket Island Thailand


This ship kept watch over us while we were anchored off Phuket Island - another example of safety on our route.  So we are not worried. It is rather interesting and adds a bit of adventure to the trip. For now we sail the sea and sip morning coffee with nothing more off our port side than bands of dolphins and flying fish. Thanks for your time - safe travels to you!
Saturday Morning in the Baby of Bengal
Linking up with (maybe):
Weekend Travel Inspirations
at

20 comments:

  1. Art and SandApril 25, 2015 at 9:03 AM

    I would think the fact that the ship had already been attacked would be a good thing. What would the odds be that it would be attacked again.

    Have a great adventure!

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    Replies
    1. Jackie and Joel SmithApril 27, 2015 at 1:36 AM

      We aren't spending much time thinking about attacks. It was basically a Maritime agreement of some sorts requirement. Thanks for the visit!

      Delete
  2. Rhonda AlbomApril 26, 2015 at 5:06 AM

    My neighbor did a similar sailing through the HRA and there were no problems. Personally, I would rather fly over the area, but then again we do plenty of things other people think are dangerous.

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    Replies
    1. Jackie and Joel SmithApril 27, 2015 at 1:37 AM

      We aren't losing any sleep over it, that is for sure Rhonda! Makes for interesting experiences though. Thanks for the visit!

      Delete
  3. Amy at Ms. Toody Goo ShoesApril 26, 2015 at 5:16 PM

    Interesting, about the HRA. When we were on a huge cruise ship sailing out of NY, we were escorted by police boats and NYPD helicopters. A little unnerving, yes, but part of the adventure! Have fun, and safe sailing to you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jackie and Joel SmithApril 27, 2015 at 1:38 AM

      We've had military guards and supervision by nearby ships on a number of cruises in interesting areas. It is all for our safety and makes for interesting tales, I guess. Thanks for the good wishes, Amy!

      Delete
  4. Doug and Carla ScottApril 26, 2015 at 8:35 PM

    Glad you are enjoying your sailing adventure!

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    Replies
    1. Jackie and Joel SmithApril 27, 2015 at 1:39 AM

      We are loving the beauty of the Indian Ocean - you two would love this area. Thanks for the comment!

      Delete
  5. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiApril 27, 2015 at 9:07 PM

    Wishing you safe and enjoyable travels!

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    Replies
    1. Jackie and Joel SmithApril 28, 2015 at 3:25 AM

      Thanks so much Pat! As soon as I get some internet time, I will be back to visit your blog! Hugs, Jackie

      Delete
  6. GaelynApril 27, 2015 at 9:13 PM

    HRA would rather add to the excitement.

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    Replies
    1. Jackie and Joel SmithApril 28, 2015 at 3:26 AM

      As we bloggers always say, Gaelyn, it will make for a good blog post if nothing else!

      Delete
  7. PoppyApril 27, 2015 at 10:36 PM

    Jackie, wishing you safe adventures and exciting exploration on your next passage to all your exotic destinations!

    Love the last pic - so peaceful and free!

    xx
    Poppy

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    Replies
    1. Jackie and Joel SmithApril 28, 2015 at 3:27 AM

      Poppy, there is nothing better than staring at the sea and sipping my morning coffee (well, except maybe being in Greece and staring at the sea with my morning coffee -- soon!!!) Hugs, Jackie

      Delete
  8. Betsy WuebkerApril 28, 2015 at 2:19 PM

    This is the trip of a lifetime! Thanks for bringing us along. :)

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  9. Carole Terwilliger MeyersApril 30, 2015 at 5:11 PM

    Good luck!

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  10. The GypsyNestersApril 30, 2015 at 5:14 PM

    Wow, never a dull moment! But it certainly does look as though they take safety seriously.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Donna JankeMay 1, 2015 at 5:27 AM

    I don't know how comfortable I'd feel sailing through a HRA, but it certainly sounds as if your ship is taking all precautions and is prepared. Safe travels.

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownMay 3, 2015 at 6:49 AM

    It looks like you're in good hands. Enjoy the ride, safe travels.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Michele {Malaysian Meanders}May 3, 2015 at 10:02 PM

    Since I've read your next blog post, I know that you made it through safely. At least your ship had a safety plan in place. You'll have to tell us what the drill involved. Taking cover or the passengers getting to man water canons? Our Disney cruise in the Bahamas had a Pirates on the Caribbean theme night. My teen son whose been studying current events at school kept asking, "But aren't pirates bad? Where's the fun in that?" Our school in Malaysia took the students out on an overnight trip sleeping on a snorkeling platform between Penang and Phukeet. The Malaysian Coast Guard ended up watching over them the whole time because they thought that if word got out that a bunch of international students were out there alone, pirates might decided they should pay the platform a visit.

    ReplyDelete

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