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16 July 2006

Arrival In Chennai - India

by Slade, onboard the Esperanza

Arriving in India
©Greenpeace/Slade Gray
Today we arrived in Chennai, India. It was a very warm reception from the local people. We had a traditional Carnatic Music Band playing on the quayside when we came along side. They then boarded and gave each crew members a Haars (a necklace made of fresh flowers), and dabbed our forehead with a paint like substance known as Tikka. It’s basically a blessing welcoming ritual. They also gave us some sweet candy called Misri which was yum. It was very nice to be greeted with the local customs and experience some fantastic Indian Culture. It was quite a unique experience, which we all enjoyed a lot.

We docked around 11am then took a few hours for Customs, Immigration and Quarantine to do their thing, then we were all sorted and could relax a little. Once all the official stuff had been done, we had our good friends and colleagues from Greenpeace India onboard. It was really great to meet them and discuss some of the issues that they are facing here in India. They will be visiting the ship each day whilst we are in port so I really look forward to spending more time with them and learning about their culture and environment.

As we have arrived in India, there is talk of some big developments in the law regarding bottom trawling here. We read a very interesting article an Indian Newspaper about a study conducted in India in relation to the devastating effects bottom trawling has on the environment. If allowed to continue, the bottom trawlers of the high seas will destroy deep sea species, before we have even discovered much of what is out there. Check out the video of the devastating affects of such fishing practices on Ocean Defenders TV.

Whilst we fry in the extreme heat and sunshine of India, check out what our compadres in the Green Army are up to onboard the Rainbow Warrior.

   

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Comments

It has been so interesting and uplifting to follow the Esperanza on its journey to bring about change and awareness, and to hear of local situations and projects that have international application.

Have a good time in Chennai.
Jill (Melb, Aust)

Posted by: Jill Gray at July 18, 2006 12:22 PM

Hello to all of u!!!...hope u are really good...well..im sending u my best wishes al the way from Mexico, im a biology student at Guadalajara University...i think what u do is awsome...not just because of careing about the enviroment..its also because u care about future..and no so future generations...thanks really!!
In about 3 weaks ill be going to a turttle camp that my school take care of, i thnk this year we will have a lot of turttles..really hope so!!
Well...we will be in touch...have a biiiiig hug from me..Bere

Posted by: Bere at July 19, 2006 4:23 AM

hi i am an environmental advisor and member of your ocean defenders online supporter.
welcome to india.
i am in kerala.beautiful state and backwaters and precious marine life.
we want to save our local biodiversity with marine ecosystem.
your campaign will support our aims.
best of luck
aperna sumod
environmental advisor,vigyan samvad.india

Posted by: aperna at July 19, 2006 8:02 AM

Good luck!

Posted by: Pat at July 19, 2006 10:29 AM

Well, though not a first time to see a ship, I am thrilled to come and visit you tomorrow at Chennai port (20.7.2006). I invited a friend to join me. His immediate reaction - 'Ship?! Just reading a news on Tsunami disaster at Java..am afraid I wont join you'.

Oh..Wonder how you brave all that..

In addition to natural threats..these so called technology aided wars are even more..

We cannot allow ourself to be stupid anymore.

Kudos to one and all. Peace will win. Greenpeace will WIN.

High Regards
RMurali
Chennai
India

Posted by: RMurali at July 19, 2006 8:19 PM

Hi all,
Welcome to Cochin...

I am from Kerala and proudly want to tell you that I am a Green Peace supporter. Kerala is a very beautiful place on earth and people are very active in different environmental issues.

I hope if the ship visit Kochin, the port city of kerala, it will be a great experience for everyone here to meet all of you and share views. That will empower comon people to believe that "goodness" and "hope" are not extinct from our good earth.

Thank you all. A warm Welcome !!


Biju

Posted by: Biju Varghese at July 21, 2006 6:48 PM

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