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PP:
5th May 2009: Having left Jakarta (finally) at about 2 AM on the 4th May, we had an uneventful cruise northwards through the Java Sea between Sumatra and Borneo, clipped the South China Sea and to Jurong Port in Singapore from the east this time in. Again the "Captain for fine weather" scored well - the only rain was at night. Smooth conditions all the way. We arrived at the dock at 1430 hrs (same dock position as the last time, four and a half months ago) and waited two and a half hours for Immigration to clear us (tookthem a while to arrive at the ship). By that time I was anxious to get ashore as I had arranged (by 'phone while passing some Indonesian islands earlier in the day) to meet step-daughter Ella and her new husband Victor. I arrived at their hostel just before they arrived from sightseeing etc. We caught up and had a lovely meal at the top of the Mandarin Tower at a restaurant called (appropriately) "Chatterbox". Returned to the ship about midnight.
6th May: Up early, finalise the already complete packing, met the two new passengers (Karen & ....... - Kiwi's, but we
The Temple
From Ella & Victor's Hostel won't hold that against them) and handed them the plant life bequeathed to us by Maria (who left us in Shanghai). This was still thriving, despite Craig's cynicism (see photo, previous blog). Said farewell to John the pom, the Captain and various crew, and took two suitcases and two small bags off the ship - goodbye-tata! Managed to send one of the suitcases (the heavy one) home unaccompanied, then brought my booked flight forward by a day and filled in time at the airport.
7th May: Seamless flight (with a spare seat beside me!!) picked up a tailwind which got us to Brisbane half an hour early, record time through immigration, collect bag, then immigration (15 minutes total!!!!), which caught CS out picking me up- then home at last.
What a great trip - and the longest holiday I have had! We met wonderful people, and were helped by the nicest people all over the world - including at places where the crew thought people were unfriendly. We found that a ready smile, soft talk and trying to understand and communicate courteously ensured ready cooperation from all and sundry.
CS:
....and so the old sea salts are both
The Voyage!
A complete "circumcision" and then some! returned from the sea. My arrival home was marred somewhat by surprise elements in my employment but ultimately the loss of my ‘day job’ ensured I had ample opportunity to spend the last weeks with daughter Ella and son-in-law Victor before their departure for Spain. We took full advantage of that opportunity to eat and drink fabulous food and wine.
Equally the two days transit stop from Livorno to Frankfurt before flying home allowed me to spend another few days with my younger daughter Lily who had cycled from Antwerp, where we last left her, to Frankfurt in the meantime. I also met her companion traveler, Charlie, who is cycling around the world, so that too was a pleasant bonus.
I think I have caught up with most everyone by now and the two main questions that still persist deserve an answer. Did I get bored? Would I do it again? Short answers, no and yes warrant some qualification. We had appropriately anticipated what the trip would be like and I think that is very important. One could have got bored if one came aboard with false expectations. As it was the opportunity to read, do art, talk to each other and experience new places alone kept boredom at bay but the extra component (which would not appeal to everyone) was the extent to which one could observe at first hand just what cargo vessels do. The opportunity to see how many ships there are, how much varied cargo gets moved around, how hard crews work and other aspects of the shipping experience has embedded understandings and memories that wont soon be lost. The prospect of repeating the exercise is therefore not unpleasant but I would certainly want to go to different places, on a different vessel and for a shorter period next time. On that note it is time to return to landlubbing for awhile and to sign off as Crusin’ Susan. Thank you to everyone who has read and commented on our reports of our adventures and thank you especially to the whole crew of Rickmers Seoul and our fellow passengers Craig and John for helping make the trip of a lifetime so truly memorable.
PP:
So that is "Cheers to all and Bon Voyage to those still (and about to be) travelling!!"
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