Airliners-India.com

iflytb20 · Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2015 1:53 am Post subject: TR-B : Cruising at zero feet

Background

My annual leave got reduced by 9 days due to ground school. So as a result I only have 15 days leave this time around. As a result time management became a major issue while planning the trip. The final plans had the trip split into 3 5-day blocks. First 5 days in Bengaluru, next 5 in Trichur & Kochi and the last 5 in Bengaluru again.

My FIL suggested taking a trip to Alapuzha and spend a day taking a boat cruise around Lake Vembanad and having some family time. We all agreed to do it almost immediately. So plans were made and the 7 of us (Me, my wifey, FIL,MIL, BIL, his wife and my niece) soon started packing.

Road Trip / Shuttle

As the boat was moored in Alapuza and we were in Trichur, it meant a 150 km shuttle to get there. We had hired a Toyota Innova and it came free with a Schumacher wannabe. During check-in, I was allocated seat 3F. The loads were 100% with one jumpseat released for my niece. Once all boarding formalities were completed and the cargo doors were secured, we set course with NO announcements about On Time Performance. That really calmed our nerves and prepared us for what lay ahead - take note Indigo Wink

We set out at 0810LT and after breaking every traffic rule possible, we arrived at Alapuza at 1110LT. The average speed was 50 kmph and the average rule-breaking was 2 per km.

Legroom in 3F

A floating clinic

Boarding

After reaching the boarding gate ... er ... jetty, we boarded our boat. Our boat (I will refer it to as HBD 1 from now on. HBD = House Boat, Diesel & 1 = number of gears in it) was a 110 footer with a 22 foot beam. That was pretty decent by local standards and the wide beam meant it would b stable in the roll. The boat had a open covered deck (if that made any sense) which formed the living & the dining area. Next were the 3 cabin followed by the aft galley and an APU (Kirloskar genset).

Packed ramp

Our Cabin

Aft Galley

IBE - In Boat Entertainment

Cockpit shot

Pushback and Taxi

Today's flight..er...sail was commanded by Capt Bipin (CaB from now on). Our Senior Boat Supervisor (SBS) was Mr Raju and Mr Joby played various characters (server, assistant captain, BCWS, reverse sensors etc)

After all our luggage was stowed away in the overhead ... er... underbed lockers, we were given a welcome drink. Soon after the engines were started and the powerback from the parking was commenced. Mr Joby promptly activated the BCWS (Boat Collision Warning System) and Reverse sensor - a whistle. After a quick and 87% collision free powerback, we joined the rest of the boats to taxiout in sequence to the runway ... er ... lake

Taxying out to the lake

Bus ... er... Boat Stop

Approaching the Vembanad Lake

CaB in action

Reg Shot

Cruise

We entered the lake at 1202LT and cruised along the SouthWestern bank of the lake. Our SBS took our meal orders and informed us that Lunch would be served at 1330LT. We stopped at a lakeside shop to load fresh seafood for our meals. We also uplifted was Ice Cream for all of us. We cruised around the lake till 1305LT and then entered a canal to stop for lunch. Just as we were docking for lunch, disaster struck.

WE HAD LOST ALL STEERING CONTROLS

The cable connecting the steering wheel to the rudder had snapped. As we started drifting away from the shore, CaB initiated the emergency procedures. Mr Joby took one of the mooring rope and jumped overboard. He quickly swam to the shore and pulled the boat towards him. As we approached the shore our SBS jumped off from the aft with another rope. Both of them quickly secured our boat to the shore.

Catering seafood

Kerala State Water Transport Boat

While CaB and Mr Joby diagnosed the problem, the SBS served lunch. This included Karimeen Fry, Rice, Beetroot Curry, Sambharam, Chef's Special Chammandi, Cabbage thoran and Chef's Special Beans thoran.

Lunch

Karimeen Fry

My Meal Tray

After the feast was over, we all decided to partake the national sports of Mexico - Siesta. While we were siesting, CaB and his crew worked hard to isolate and fix the problem. After a delay of 2 hours, the problem was finally fixed and we resumed our cruise.

Tea was served at 1745LT. At 1800LT we set course to our overnight parking spot, which was in a canal nearby. By 1845LT we were docked for the night.

Tea time

Docked for the night

Night time and WAR

The National bird of Kerala is the mosquito and some of them can only be killed with a bullet. And in Kerala Mbps takes on a completely new meaning. Mbps is what we mallus' use to define the mosquito activity level. Anything below 50 Mbps is good. Between 50-100 needs special weapons to survive. Anything above 100 is a war zone. So what is this Mbps you ask. Well, in Kerala it means:

Mosquito Bites per second Wink

After docking the boat was connected to shore power. Unfortunately due to some repairs, the electricity was not available till 2100LT. No electricity = No AC, No AC = No protection from attacks

And at 1845LT, the Mosquito Wars began. After over 2 hours of relentless attacks and counter attacks, which saw 3 mosquito racquets running out of juice, we managed to turn the tide. And when the electricity came at 2100LT, the rout was complete.

Dinner was served at 2105LT, but as my phone had run out of battery, I couldn't take any pictures. My apologies Sumantra ji

Dinner consisted of fresh Kerala Parotas, Fried Fish, KFC (Kerala Fish Curry), Chilli Prawns, Prawn Curry and Yellow Dal. Once all that was polished off, we talked and played rummy till 2230LT or so. Then we all said goodnight to each other and went to our rooms for a good night's sleep.

Warning signs near our parking spot

Day - 2

Next day we woke up at 0730LT for a morning sail. At 0740LT fresh coffee was served and breakfast by 0815LT.
Breakfast was fresh dosa, idli, sambhar and chutney.

Morning Coffee

Breakfast

After cruising for one more hour, we set course back to our starting point. We docked at 0909LT and by 0925LT we were once in our Innova and started our drive back to Trichur. Overall it was a fun trip and I loved the opportunity to kick back and relax. Thanks for reading Cool

Some random shots from the trip

_________________
Always do everything into wind...... except piss Wink

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

Captain, I really wish I had your writing skills, and your sense of humour.
You really know how to make an interesting trip sound...even more interesting.
The aviation quips and comparisons had me in splits, as your ready wit.
Right from your driver breaking traffic rules with gay abandon, reaching V1 and V2 speeds, and thankfully, not rotating - around any of the three axes.
What a great way to start the day today - I downed two packets of biscuits in no time at all. Alappuzha has many fond memories for The Wife and I, when we went on a whirlwind Kerala tour in 2008, often on the road at night (to cover more spots, and of course, to cut costs). We managed a more humble `couple' houseboat. Alappuzha is just amazing, as is most of the state. You managed to see a Govt boat in action - we weren't that lucky, across the course of an entire day. All the ones we saw were AOG, or should we say, Boat-(partially)Under-Water, and has become Christmas trees, long back. The Mosquitoes part was sheer amazing: what that sign REALLY there? And you seem to like coffee - I remember it from your last IX trip report from the flight deck. Wayanad produces some excellent coffee, this is one of Kerala's hidden secrets, a neatly hidden secret in a state obsessed with the other beverage, tea! The Kaka tea stalls/shanties are all around, but one will be lucky to sample some Wayanad coffee, without the chickory!

We had taken a day tour, and our two hosts, Stephen (who doubled up as the cook), and the other gentleman, whose name I forget, took good care of us. When we got hungry, they pulled us over to some houses, and sources some lovely tapioca stew for us, which we had with relish (and lemon juice and salt). The Wife's seafood fantasies were pampered in a fresh seafood mart along the way, when she caught sight of a type of prawn which is perhaps only exported, and does not come into the domestic market at all. With Stephen's amazing combination of spices, the dry preparation is something she will not forget easily. Being the more adventurous type, she dangled her feet into the water. There was an amazing moment of confusion, when a water snake decided to slither towards her. We had rushed through Kovalum, Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Kochi-Ernakulam. We would end up visiting Kozhikode and Wayanad last Dec, and this leaves us yearning for more of God's Own Country, especially the Northern parts, Thekkady, Munnar, and other gems.

Thanks for a lovely TR Sir...it leaves us yearning for more gems from you.
Both from the flight deck, as well as otherwise!
Cheers, Sumantra.

stealthpilot · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 2325 Location: BLR, DXB

- BTR ehhhh
- sucks that your leave got shortened. I wont rub it in.
- maybe a little ..... hawwhawwwwww
- great pics, next time don't send them all on the whatsapp group so we can look forward to something extra here Wink

- food looks yum
- pretty shabby experience tho, steering snapped, no electricity? Rolling Eyes

- breakfast looks the best!!

- reminds me of my boat trip I did with R in early 2012, that was also an overnight one very similar. lunch, tea, dock for the night. we didn't get dosa breakfast tho Sad

_________________
eP007

justbala · Member Joined: 11 Jan 2007 Posts: 1898 Location: Bangalore

There's an old adage - "Ghar ki murghi daal baraabar" - guess that applies to me here. Being a Keralite, I have never visited Kumarakom or been on a houseboat Razz

I think I shud correct that.

Excellent TR btw. Loved that mosquito sign Wink

A small correction arent parts of that cruise below MSL? If I am right 40% of Vembanad kayal is below MSL.

ameya · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 4:31 pm Post subject:

This was one fantastic BR ! And coming at the back of frequent updates on whatsapp group ! How worried we were to not get your update at 2100 !

Great reading !
_________________
www.networkthoughts.com

Nimish · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 6:20 pm Post subject:

Lovely TR Raj - thanks for sharing!
_________________
We miss you Nalini!

sri_bom · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 2365 Location: Singapore

What a great alternate report, loved every bit of the aviation cocktail that was mixed with it.

Thanks for posting.

Sri_Bom

jbalonso777 · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2015 11:39 am Post subject:

Sigh, what might've been a trip to Sri Lanka eh? Sad

Anyway, very unique and hilarious TR-B none the less! Sorry to hear about your 6E torture (or am I? Wink

)

Some super pics to along with it! Very Happy

The kitchen looks like a typical house kitchen! Well, that is expected given that you were onboard HBD 1.

The use of aviation jargon had me in splits! Razz

FOOD LOOKS DELICIOUS! Very Happy

Good to see you won the war of the mosquitos...and that your dead battery was definitely a cause for concern on the group hehehe

Regards
Not triangle.
_________________
http://www.youtube.com/c/JishnuBasu777