(The image for this blog entry is from Sri Lanka, since we're passing by Sri Lanka today.)

Passage to India…we're at sea now, 2 days out from India and this has been a pretty nice stretch at sea for me. Some of the more experienced staff have said that our passage to India is typically a tough time for the shipboard community as we approach the half-way point of our journey, but I think things are going pretty well. We've all settled in to as much of a routine as is possible and are excited to reach this next Port of Call. We've spent a lot of time learning and getting ready to reach India which is potentially the most culturally foreign Port and a place that is guaranteed push our comfort zones and overload the senses in every way possible. One small example included a Sari tying workshop the other night where we discussed and modeled both traditional and modern women's fashion in India.Some of it is so beautiful, rich colors, embroidery, sparkles…I think I would look so ridiculous in a Sari and would probably never wear one at home but they are strikingly beautiful and exotic on the right person!

Work is work…been busier as well. I was assigned to work on the Students of Service Auction that takes place at the end of voyage.It is a huge fundraiser where we auction off all kinds of things including items donated from the ship, souvenirs from port, dinners with the Captain, 1st person off the ship, and even weekends at people's vacation homes etc…These auctions have traditionally raised several thousand dollars which is donated to charities that the students select throughout the voyage. Yesterday was also the Sea Olympics; a big day of color war where the entire ship participates in games and other activities. After all of the stress getting ready for it, everyone really had a great time. My sea ended up doing well, we tied for 5th place.The best part though was that our sea won the finale event, the Lip Sync. They did such an amazing job performing lip sync and dance through a medley of songs that told a story of traveling around the world through the eyes of two people.

Another highlight of this leg of the trip was a dinner with the Captain. Its a nice evening where a group of faculty and staff are invited to dine with the Captain and Senior Officers of the ship; a chance to get dressed up and enjoy a nice evening complete with a fancy 5 course meal. I think it was the first time I'd seen so much silverware and actually used it all properly. I was even seated right next to the Captain. The food and drink was excellent and we all had a good time.

We crossed the Equator again last night back in to the Northern Hemisphere and will spend the rest of the voyage here. Additionally, we move our clocks forward a ½ hour tonight. Doesn't that seem strange!

Some words from the Lonely Planet book:

"Nothing can fully prepare you for India, but perhaps the one thing that best encapsulates this extraordinary counrty is its ability to inspire, frustrate, thrill and confound all at once."

"Demystifying India is a perpetual work in progress and for many travelers, that's precisely what makes her so deeply addictive. Ultimately, it's all about surrendering yourself to the unknown; this is the India that nothing can quite prepare you for because its very essence - its elusive soul - lies in its mystery.Love it or loathe it - and most visitors seesaw between the two - India will jostle your entire being and no matter where you go or what you do, it's a place you'll never forget."

I CAN'T WAIT!

M/V Explorer Position Report:

07 March 2008 -- Latitude: 08 degrees, 29 minutes South, Longitude: 071 degrees, 30 minutes East Distance Made Good: 1081 Nautical miles, (Since Port Louis), Distance Made Good: 435 Nautical miles, (Since noon), Distance to go to the next Port: 1525 Nautical miles, (Chennai, India), Average Speed: 18.6 Knots, Distance to the nearest land: 82 NM from Diego Garcia Island, Sea Depth: 2160 Meters Sea Water Temperature: 28º Celsius (82.4º F), Air Temperature: 28º Celsius (82.4º F) Wind: North-East, 10 Knots, Sunset Today: 18:26, Sunrise Tomorrow: 06:06

06 March 2008 -- Latitude: 13 degrees, 10 minutes South, Longitude: 65 degrees, 53 minutes East, Distance Made Good: 646 Nautical miles (Since Port Louis), Distance Made Good: 427 Nautical miles (Since noon), Distance to go to the next Port: 2386 Nautical miles (Chennai, India), Average Speed: 17.8 Knots Distance to the nearest land: 425 NM from Coco Island, Sea Depth: 1975 Meters, Sea Water Temperature: 27º Celsius (80.6º F), Air Temperature: 28º Celsius (82.4º F), Wind: East, 18 Knots Sunset Today: 17:50, Sunrise Tomorrow: 06:24, Ship's clock will be advanced 1 hour tonight

05 March 2008 -- Latitude: 17 degrees, 46 minutes South, Longitude: 60 degrees, 15 minutes East, Distance Made Good: 218 Nautical miles (Since Port Louis), Distance Made Good: 218 Nautical miles, (Since noon), Distance to go to the next Port: 2386 Nautical miles, (Chennai, India), Average Speed: 15.8 Knots, Distance to the nearest land: 69 NM from Coco Island, Sea Depth: 2721 Meters, Sea Water Temperature: 27º Celsius (80.6º F), Air Temperature: 27º Celsius (80.6º F), Wind: East, 20 Knots, Sunset Today: 18:16 Sunrise Tomorrow: 05:50