ROUND THE WORLD TRIP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2905, 4 July 1925, Page 4

ROUND THE WORLD TRIP.

The following is a further instalment of an article being written by Mr. J. K. Hornblow, editor of this journal, during his world’s tour.

Written in the Red Sea on May 15th, 1925: There is much of interest to write about but the heat simply refuses to allow one to concentrate. It gradually got warmer on the way to Colombo in fact the heat was extreme and has continued so. We thoroughly enjoyed our all too brief visit to Colombo. We anchored in the stream and before going ashore had to get our passports endorsed. Natives in their boats and launches encircled us and it was amusing to see them begging and scrambling for pennies. We struck Colombo during a religious festival and thousands of natives were in the town from the interior. At the wharf we were pestered by guides, rickshaw men and motor drivers. The whole scene was very picturesque. We decided to go and see the native quarter —it was then about 6 p.m. and getting dark. We hired some rickshaw men, first ascertaining the hire. When they got us out of (he traffic they increased the fare, so we got out and walked. The streets were thronged with natives—the native women wearing much Ijcwllery including gold ornaments at. either side of the nostrils. They are little women and walk very gracefully. The native quarter is very congested and the odour is very pungent. A man speaking very good English offered to take us to a respectable hotel and chatted away to us. He happened to be a hotel tout and Jed us to a very doubtful hotel in the native quarter which we refused to patronise arfd told him so, and to quit. We made our way back through chattering crowds, and refreshed ourselves with tea and sandwiches in the lounge of a firstclass hotel. We then visited the shops and spent a most interesting time barganing. It was great. There are plenty of beggars in the street. One deformed creature followed us on all fours at the same time crying: “Penny for poor boy, mister; God bless you mister.” Children followed us begging for pennies. The town was full of life up till midnight when we left for the ship. The following morning we were ashore early and hired rickshaws, and the men trotter off to the Cinnamon Gardens where we spent a very enjoyable time. On our way back we got caught in a tropical downpour, but were well sheltered in the rickshaws. The perspiration simply poured out of our runners. We did a little more shopping and got hack just before the ship sailed at midday. The coaling is done by hundreds of coolies. The coal is bagged and brought to the ship’s side in punts. The bags are passed from hand to hand, midst great jabbering. The men wear a loin cloth. The women are all decently attired. Wo were very disappointed that our stay was so short as we would have liked to visit the interior of the island. The next interesting sight was on reaching the east coast of Africa in the Gulf of Aden. We could see the coast quite clearly, and make out (lie villages and mosques. In the background was the mountain ranges. We saw numerous fishing boats with their peculiar slanting sails. Porpoises were plentiful! disporting round the steamer and I got a glimpse of a big shark quite close to the ship and just below the surface of the water. Yesterday we passed quite close to Perim Island which is a, strategic spot, used for coaling. This a barren island and beyond is the Arabian Desert. We are now in the Red Scad and its frightfully hot, but there is a compensating breeze. We hope to arrive at Suez on the Ifith . As we are behind time there is not much chance for a trip to Cairo. There is plenty of fun aboard. There was a fancy dress ball the other night. I dressed up as a gorgeous Chinese. Last; night the thirds had boxing and wrestling competitions which we saw from the boat deck. We got a wireless yesterday informing, us of Mr .Massey’s death. I rounded up the New Zealanders in the lounge, and invited the captain to attend. Mr Stewart of Wellington presided and we passed a resolution of sympathy and cabled it to Cabinet. I feel a hit worried being away at such a time, but I’m sure everything will pan out alright, and I must make the best of it. I don’t think the election will take place till early in December —and then I will be homo. We arc both keeping well and fit and are getting used to the heat. There is plenty to write about but I’m afraid it will have to stand over until the weather is cooler. .