Lovely Lakshadeep through the eyes of Diya Biswas

We travelled to Kochi/Cochin by train via Chennai as we couldn't find any direct train and also we were visiting a friend in Chennai. Kochi has plenty of nice hotels. No need for prior booking. We were supposed to report to the office of Sports 24hours before the ship starts, so we reached Kochi early morning. after freshening up and breakfast we went to the Sports office first thing. As our hotel was quite far from Sports office we had to hire a auto. Sports office is in the Port Area of Kochi. There the person checked our tickets and told us reach a place near the office.

Next morning we were there with our luggage. After sometime our luggage was checked, tagged and boarding passes handed to us. It is just like it happens in the airports. From then on our luggage was transferred to the ship. We boarded a bus which took us to the port where the ship was docked.

Standing in front of the huge ocean liner I was awe struck, although i had seen pictures on the net. The crew was standing all ready to welcome us in their smart uniforms. The steps to climb the ship are folding steps like ramps, the crew was ever ready to help me climb it.

The 1st Class Deck Captain welcomed us and a person showed us to our respective cabins. I thought i would get lost, i really got lost on the ship next day . The ship itself was something to see, we ran to the huge deck, forgot all about our luggage. We kept waiting on the deck clicking pictures, soaking the view of the busy port. After about 3 - 4 hrs the ship was ready to leave. Another pilot ship joined, pushed and pulled the ship from the dock, finally the ship honked and was ready to sail. It was a memorable moment.

The ship sailed in a very low speed on the back waters, but that was beautiful too watching the town of Kochi slipping by. Once we settled down, remembered our luggage, but found it neatly stacked in our respective cabins. Once the ship is on the sea and takes speed, the captain announces it on the microphone. The speed, the depth of the water and the weather is given.

I just hated to go into the cabin and unpack as by then dusk was setting and the color of the water, sky and sun was changing together. Awestruck by the beauty of it, there was music of the water to go with it. But we had to go in as the deck captain wanted to see us all in the dinning room for some snacks nd coffee and would brief us on the 5 days we spend with the crew. Where to go in case of emergencies or if you want something. At the same time we were informed that there is no room service as such but everything is served on the dinning table, you fill your water from there, there are small counters where you can buy coffee nd snacks if you want one. There is a TV viewing room as well. But who watches TV on such a trip??

For Booking & Informations on Lakshadweep. 
Manager (Information & Booking)
SPORTS Lakshadweep Tourism
Lakshadweep Office
Willingdon Island
Kochi-682003
Land Phone: +91 484 2666789, +91 484 2668387
Mobile: 09495984001
Fax: +91 484 2668647
Email: laksports.reservation@gmail.com

D. Karthikeyan
Managing Director
SPORTS (Lakshadweep Tourism )
Kavaratti-682555
Phone: 04896-263001, +91 4896262356
Fax: +91 4896262356
Email: sportsgm.lk@gmail.com