This is a humorous account of an intrepid couple on a cruise around Ireland with stops in Amsterdam and London. The fact that I’m related to them lends deeper context to their adventures 😀 I recognise more than a few shared idiosyncrasies, particularly with Mugdha - bathroom paranoia comes immediately to mind 😂 It’s the shared DNA!

I enjoyed going on this cruise with them. If anything it’s equipped me with more than a few tips on attempting one myself! In Shrinivas and Mugdha I see several parallels to Hubby and I - both doctor couples, me fond of travel, Hubby not so much. In fact the similarities between Hubby and Shrinivas as travellers are surprising - both lovers of ‘desi’ food, avoiders of shopping, not the greatest ‘culture vultures’ and basically happier at home, be it ever so humble, than anywhere else! 

Reading about London and Amsterdam made me nostalgic! Her visit to the Anne Frank Museum and the Rijksmuseum brought back fond memories. I remember being awed by Rembrandt’s ‘The Night Watch’ and discovering the magic of Klimt! London is my favourite city in the world, like it is Mugdha’s and the descriptions of Hyde Park, Harrods and Hempstead made me yearn to visit again soon! I enjoyed how Shrinivas weaves in memories of Mumbai through the narrative, both contemporary and of his childhood. I learnt a few things about him that I didn’t know before.

Although this book is special to me for reasons more than its contents, I feel, every traveller will relate to its pithy commentary about the vagaries of travel and travellers and chuckle at remembered memories as they cruise along with Mugdha and Nivas ☺️