Super
Star Libra - Cruise
Destinations
Mumbai
| Kadmat Island (Lakshadweep)
| Goa
Kadmat Island (Lakshadweep),
India.
Kadmat is one of the few
islands in Lakshadweep which
is open to tourists. It
is ideal as a holiday destination
as it rescues you from the
hustle and bustle of city
life to a peaceful retreat
of coconut palm groves and
a haven for water sports
lovers. The narrow and beautiful
shallow lagoons on the east
and west respectively are
the ideal spots for leisurely
walks and water sports.
This spectacular tropical
island is remotely located
220-440 kms off the Malabar
Coast. Conferred the National
Eco-Tourism Awards 1997,
the islands offer a natural
heritage of ecology with
its rich maritime wealth,
pristine beaches and lagoons.
Adventurers can indulge
in scuba diving, wind surfing
and parasailing. If you
prefer, kayaks, pedal boats,
sailing yachts, skiing boats
and glass bottom boats are
also available for hire.
Goa, India
Goa has come a long way
from just being a panoramic
beach paradise with its
charming stretches of snowy
velvety white sands and
surf beaches by the crystal
clear Arabian Sea. The delicious
aroma of seafood, the magnificent
colours of light at sunset
into the sea definitely
consumes one’s heart
and creates a mystical illusion.
Goa
obtained its unique identity
and a great blend of East
and West culture from the
400 years of Portuguese
influence on its towns and
villages. This place truly
encompasses scenic charms,
tourist spots, intricate
churches and temples, evergreen
hills and mountains and
historical forts that have
kept the legacy of the Portuguese
alive. Take the opportunity
to experience this mystical
location and discover exotic
and varied culture.
SuperStar Libra Shore Excursions:
LGOA-1A
– Highlights of Goa
Highlights
include Goa’s ornate
and magical Hindu Temples.
Here visitors will visit
the two most famous temples
namely Shantadurga Temple
dedicated to Goddess Parvathi
& Lord Naguesh, and
the Mangueshi Temple dedicated
to Lord Shiva, which is
a colourful mixture of Hindu,
Muslim and Christian architecture.
Its seven-tier tower lamp
is a magical sight when
lit during festivals.
Proceed
next to Old Goa –
the ancient capital of Goa,
once ruled by Adil Shah
and was later conquered
by the Portuguese. All that
now remains of former glory,
are its imposing churches
and cathedrals which houses
14 magnificent Altars and
5 bells of which one is
the famous Golden Bell said
to have been heard all over
Goa. The Basilica of Bom
Jesus, houses the mortal
and visible remains of Goa’s
Patron – Saint Francis
Xavier, in a silver casket.
These Churches are also
considered as “World
Heritage Monuments.”
Then drive into Goa’s
capital city Panjim where
one can spend some time
shopping before enjoying
Miramar Beach.
LGOA-2A – Old Goa
& Calangute Beach
Visit
Old Goa Churches, the Basilica
of Bom Jesus, which is the
most famous and popular
church in Goa. The mortal
remains of St. Francis Xavier,
kept in a silver casket,
are enshrined here. Next,
visit the Se Cathedral the
most imposing of all churches
at Old Goa. Its vaulted
interior overwhelms the
visitors by sheer grandeur.
Drive to Calangute beach
is one of the best beaches
in North Goa. This beach
is also referred to as the
'Queen of Beaches’,
where you will have some
free time to enjoy the variety
of water sports activities
available there. Enjoy some
time in Panjim for shopping.
LGOA-3A –
Goan Carnival
Enjoy
the Waterfront Carnival
venue where guests are welcomed
into the colourfully decorated
venue by face painters and
flow into an evening of
wine, food and fun. One
of Goa’s leading DJ
and King Momo’s parade
along with his brass band
will provide the music to
keep the spirits up, backed
with performances by Limbo
and fire dancers. Pole dancers,
percussionists, traditional
folk dances like the Corredinho
(Portuguese) and the Dekhni
will also form a part of
the evening. There is also
a mini Flea Market and Artisan
village to complete your
Indian shopping experience.
Mumbai,
India.
Blessed with a natural harbour,
Mumbai is one of the busiest
ports of India, conducting
about 40% of India’s
maritime trade. Over the
years, Mumbai has been transformed
into the fastest moving,
most prosperous and industrialised
city in India with flourishing
markets, business houses
and many different communities
reflecting a cosmopolitan
and trendy atmosphere rarely
seen elsewhere.
Being
the capital of Maharashtra
and hub of filmstars, Mumbai
as such attracts tourist
from all over the world.
Formerly known as Bombay,
Mumbai is also known as
the Gateway of India and
a shopper’s paradise
offering almost every type
of cuisine of the world.
SuperStar Libra
Shore Excursions:
LBOM-1A
– City Highlights
Visit
the Jain Temple, built of
marble and dedicated to
Adinath, the first of the
twenty-four thirthankars
or Jain prophets. Continue
your visit to the Hanging
Gardens, which offer a splendid
view of the city and later
drive past the “Towers
of Silence”. Stop
for a photo opportunity
at the Open Air Laundry
in Dhobi Ghat. Even if you
are not interested in other
people’s dirty laundry,
you’ll be fascinated
by the dhobi ghats. Visit
Mani Bhawan where Mahatama
Gandhi stayed during his
visits to Mumbai.
Drive
past through the Victoria
Terminus – designed
in early gothic style blended
with Indian motifs, the
colourful Crawford Market,
the Flora Fountain located
in the large bustline square
at the heart of the city.
Continue your visit to Prince
of Wales Museum and later
proceed to Gateway of India
– the landmark of
the Old Mumbai for a photo
stop before returning to
the ship.
LBOM-2A – Temple Tour
Depart
to the Afgan Church, dedicated
to the soldiers of the British
army who laid their lives
in the Singh and Afgan campaign
from 1838 till 1843. Head
to Banganga Tank –
a sacred tank surrounded
by four hundred-year-old
temples and modern skyscrapers.
Part of an ancient temple
complex, the water in this
tank is believed to come
from the Holy Ganges.
Next,
visit the Jain Temple which
was built in marble in 1904.
Head to the Mahalaxmi Temple
which sits atop a long flight
of steps on the edge of
the Arabian Sea. It is devoted
to Laxmi, the Goddess of
Wealth, and Lady Lucre to
millions of adoring Indians.
It is said that in the 1890s,
when the adjoining causeway
was being constructed by
a British engineer, the
project was always jinxed:
every time the foundation
was laid, the sea would
rush in and destroy it.
Then one night, a labourer
dreamt of Goddess Laxmi
who ordered him to dig out
an idol from a spot under
the causeway and build a
shrine on it. The legend
goes that Haji Ali died
on a pilgrimage to Mecca
and miraculously his casket
floated back to these shores.
Honouring the Muslim saint
Haji Ali this mosque was
built in the middle of the
sea with only a narrow path
leading to it giving it
an ethereal look. It is
set 500 yards into the sea
and can be reached only
in low tide.