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Published: January 7th 2009
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CS:
We have been on board more than 2 weeks now and have settled into as much of a routine as one can in these circumstances. So what is it like? Firstly every day is different and even while at sea the view from the cabin windows is ever varying. The other clear and unsurprising distinction is that between port time and sea time, mainly in terms of the activities of the crew and others around the vessel.
The day begins with the first major decision: to breakfast or not (breakfast starts at 7.30am). Unless I feel inclined to retest the chef’s skill with poached eggs I decline but PP usually attends for his daily plate of cereal. I potter around our space, as one does. This may include trying to pick up a station on short wave to let me know what is going on in the world, in English. Isn’t it amazing how many Chinese radio programmes there are in this part of the world? Reception is not great and I hanker for that wonderful BBC World Service introductory line ‘This…..is…London’ so familiar to me from our days in Vanuatu, but so far a muffled ‘BBC news service’
Koala Bears??
Lippo Building at HK. disappearing into radio ether is all I’ve managed. Chinese, Philippines and Singaporean English programmes have popped in from time to time. Since I staggered the watch of the day on the Bridge by seeming to climb off the Pilot Deck when I was trying to rig the aerial wire, the possibilities have been greater, but short wave, well it ain’t great, what with sunspots and all.
Daf usually drops in around 9am to mop the bathroom floor and empty the bins. I have usually made the beds (pulled up the doona) by the time he arrives unless it is sheet changing Saturday. Ablutions, reading, radio, making tea (we have our little jug and the water in the taps is filtered and nice to drink) and establishing our current whereabouts, which usually entails a trip to the Bridge to check the chart, and lunch becomes the next decision.
We often leave our cabin door open and as we are located between the Captain and the Chief Engineer there tends to be a regular flow of traffic along our corridor. None of the crew are ‘chatty’ (except off duty) but they are all friendly and willing to answer any questions they can.
Our Vessel in the Strait
Rickmers Seoul at Hong Kong We often have our music system going to enjoy the extensive range of music we brought with us.
We generally meet our fellow passengers, Axelle and Craig, in the mess at lunch time and enjoy a chat. The dining room has two large round tables and we are asked to remain in the seat we first choose. Officers dine at one table, passengers at the other. Axelle has taken to sitting with the crew in the adjoining room off the galley, so PP, Craig and I take our usual places. The meals are generally plain fare, but there is plenty of variety and plenty of food. I find no trouble choosing what I like from the selection. While we have a plentiful supply of wine now we tend not to bring it to the dinner table, but Daf supplies tea or coffee on request.
Depending on the weather we may go onto the observation deck, which is open to the elements. I tried a bit of sketching the other day for a piece I want to do based on the ship’s cranes, the shapes of which delight my eye - I hope I can do them justice.
Afternoon drinks are not unusual and Craig may join us for a chat.
Another Bridge visit is also likely. We never stay long but are never other than welcome and we check the chart, speed, ETA and generally discuss conditions with the watch officers. The senior officers do 4 hour watches and there may be between one and three officers present on the Bridge at any time including the Captain.
Since we bought our super binoculars in Singapore I have spent even more time eyes glued to the exterior spotting fish jumping, ships passing and wonderful light plays on the water. Last night after we had pulled and pegged the curtains I peeked again just before bedtime and was astounded to see a vast array of exceedingly bright lights on the horizon. Understanding no land was meant to be there we looked more closely and, bringing said binoculars into play discovered that they were fishing boats, dozens of them. The boats themselves were relatively small and evenly spaced. Each had large fishing poles extending out from both beams and a huge set of bow lights (not unlike those employed at the Gabba for night cricket). Fishing at night by bright light in the Gulf of Tonkin is something that will definitely warrant a bit more research as soon as we can ‘google’.
Dinner is provided earlier than I would have chosen (6pm) but we quickly got used to the routine. Always a hot meal (as is lunch, which often includes soup) I have requested much smaller portions than are standard to avoid over indulgence. We get ice-cream on Sundays, but otherwise fruit rather than dessert.
We have circumnavigated the ship once but there is reluctance to let passengers out alone for safety reasons and we prefer not to trouble the crew so we have confined ourselves to the stern infrastructure. Nevertheless several decks and open spaces provide adequate room to move about in, but equally stretching our legs on land is always welcome. PF has his own little gym set which allows him to do a substantial work out in the cabin and there are two rather more abused than used exercise machines in the Rec room. The swimming pool can and will be filled from sea water on request to the Captain but it is not much bigger than a large bath and the weather has not warranted it since we left Singapore.
We brought a number of drama and documentary DVDs with us but so far have felt no inclination to watch any. We anticipate the whole Palliser series might keep us entertained while crossing the Pacific.
The sea swell is picking up now, as is the wind, time to check how far we are from the Qiongzhou Strait (between Hainan and the Chinese mainland). I have just noticed nine small fishing boats scattered quite close to us off our bow, I’m glad I’m not in one of them.
Ah well, lunch calls. Are we bored yet? Not likely!
PP:
7th January - Hong Kong Kowloon.
Arrived in Hong Kong overnight - I woke up long enough to watch the pilot board after being in the holding pattern for an hour. Went back to bed, and awoke to a very smoggy view, we are at anchor between the Island and Kowloon. We caught the shipping agents boat to the central pier district and are posting this from Kowloon in a café. We are having dinner tonight at the Tea House and Tea museum, then back to the ship to head to Shanghai. Talk again then!!
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