We took a quick trip to India yesterday.
I had heard that an Indian naval frigate, the Tabar, was in Fremantle and open for tours so we headed down to the harbour city to have a look. I wore my Australia – India 2005 shirt, displaying both countries’ flags. We had the shirts designed and made for our trip last year. James wore the Indian Cricket Team shirt that I brought back with me from India.
I must admit that I’m not really all that interested in the navy but with the possibility of meeting up with several Indians I thought it was worth a visit. To add to that, my dad used to be a cook on cargo ships travelling up and down the Western Australian coast and so wandering the decks of a ship once again was going to be a real treat. I remember many days, when I was a kid, heading down to Fremantle before dawn to spend time on various vessels.
Once we arrived we had our I.D. checked before one of the ships officers waved a wand over me to check that I wasn’t carrying anything that I shouldn’t.
We boarded the ship and were greeted by another officer who was to show us around. Another guy with two kids joined the four of us in our mini tour group. Although there were a few other groups moving around the vessel, I was suprised that there weren’t more people there to view the ship. It was time to head off and so he said. “Come.” I was instantly in India. So many times while in India the locals would let us know that it was time to move on by saying ‘come’ or ‘please come’.
We only got to see the main deck and never made it inside but it was a wonderful tour. We were shown all kinds of interesting items such as the rocket launcher, missiles, torpedos, life boats and the helicopter.
I just kept sniffing. I picked up the wafting aroma of a curry or two and even the paint on the ship smelled of India.
I absolutely love the company of Indian people and so it was a marvellous experience. Of course it once again convinced me that I need to head across the oceans again sometime for another visit to India.
(You can click on the photo for a closer look at Emily, James and me with one of the friendly crew members. Pauline took the picture which is why she’s not in it.)
Posted by Rodney Olsen
Technorati Tags: India – Navy – Fremantle
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We really love touring ships when they come into Freo. As long as I can remember we’ve (and including when I was a kid) gone down there to tour any ships that are in. We even had a sailor stay with us once, from the US Constellation and he’s remained a friend ever since. These are very different reasons to why you went to see the ship though!
It’s wonderful when a scent can transport you immediately across the ocean. Even locally, when I get a certain whiff of the ocean, I’m transported back into my childhood, when my dad was a fisherman.
I’m grateful that I stumbled across this post for two reasons. One, I am presently staying in West Bengal, I love India, and I am always happy to hear about others who love Indians as well. Two, I completely forgot it is Father’s Day today, and when I saw the date on your post, it jogged my memory. So thanks! It’s just about the right time to call the US, which is home for me, so I’m going to go do that now! 🙂
Thank you for this entry. When we tried to sell our car in Fremantle there was the USS Constellation open for tours. We certainly took the chance. I thought it´s not too big – and so my boyfriend always takes this to fool me when it comes to proportions…
That sounds like it was a lot of fun and very interesting.
Just out of curiousity, how many countries have you biked in? Or should I ask how many continents instead?
A great visit eh? Fay and I saw the ships in Norfolk, Virginia, where they have room for literally hundreds of vessells! We too, like you wangled our way on board even though I had inadvertantly left my ID at my mate’s house. Fortunately his partner is a captain and DID HAVE her credentials, which let us in anywhere!
I havent heard much about cricket ever since i came to canada and since I am from India, its a huge problem 🙂
I wonder where I kept my India Cricket Shirt.
Ajay