It was quite a contrast to Baba's voyage the year before, when Baba had sailed to the West quietly without informing anyone of his departure.
K. J. Dastur was sent for, but he did not show up, as he was not included on this journey either and the fire of antagonism flared up even stronger in his heart. Before sending Rustom to England in 1928, Baba had asked Dastur to go initially, but at that time he refused. Now he wanted to go along with Baba. With his behavior being what it was, Baba was loathe to take him anywhere, and also kept him aloof from the rest of the mandali in Nasik. After this journey to the West, Dastur moved permanently from Nasik to Bombay, and gradually broke off his connection with Baba.
Baba and Adi Sr. occupied a second class cabin (Number 107 initially, then 116), Beheram and Adi Jr. another, and Chanji, Kaka and Ghani a third. There was an additional member of their group: Adi Jr. had met a 20-year-old Anglo-Indian girl named Eileen Nettleton, whose parents agreed shortly before the group left, to let her accompany them. Eileen was a pretty, fair-skinned girl with a charming personality, but on board, after Eileen failed to respond positively to Baba's lengthy explanations about spirituality, Baba stated that she was not suitable. And this situation upset Baba's mood from the very first day. Chanji, once again, became a convenient scapegoat.
Summer was approaching in India and the days were hot aboard the ship. Baba played Ping-Pong twice a day with Eileen and the mandali. He wore his long hair loose while on deck taking a stroll. On occasion, they saw movies at night on the deck. For the most part, Baba remained in his cabin, taking his meals there with the steward's permission. Although the mandali and especially Adi Sr. relished the Italian food, Baba ate very little of the cuisine, generally felt unwell, and considered going on a four-day fast before they landed.
As usual, Baba preferred to remain unnoticed and in seclusion, and hence the very first order he gave the mandali was: "No interviews with anyone on board."
They were instructed not to tell anyone about him unless asked and in general to keep his identity undisclosed. In spite of all the observance of strict privacy, Baba's personality was so powerful that he immediately impressed those who happened to cast a glance at him or casually pass by him.