Wednesday, March 5. Warmer, high light clouds, calm seas.
Day 60 of 113.
After two very tiring but exciting days in Hong Kong, and a late night because we watched a TV show too late last night, we slept in, really slept in. We had breakfast at 9.50 before catching the port lecturer speaking on Singapore at 10.00.
Fellette went to Aqua-aerobics later while I took in a talk on China Porcelain and its affect on the west in the last few hundred years. It sounds terribly dry but that is the type of information that I find fascinating.
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This ship is just like a big steamroller that keeps on plugging around the world, stopping briefly and then heading on again with a very tight schedule. In our cabin we can of course feel the motion of the ship but the only sound we have is a white noise that may actually be the air conditioning, but it just keeps on plugging along, going to the next port on a journey that was planned over 18 months ago. It has never been late getting in, and only once were we delayed leaving port because of high winds. It is a relentless journey for the ship. Repairs and maintenance are done on the fly with a minimum of inconvenience to us or the schedule. A ship like this is an engineering marvel, especially the engines.
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It has taken me some long time to sort myself out on this cruise. Because, at home, Fellette and I generally have three meals a day, alone. Our days are spent together, usually working in the garden or shop. We see friends rarely and eat out maybe once a week. I also see my kids three times a week at the least. However, on this ship we are eating 'out' every single meal, and are with people almost constantly and we never see our kids. Psychologically, this takes a bit of getting used to and it has taken me this long [two full months], to figure out why I was a bit discontent in the early stages of the voyage. However, now that I am aware of this and also have had two months to get used to it I think I am OK. I also miss going to Canada Ticket and seeing the staff and also seeing my construction business friends that I have been rubbing shoulders with for the past few years. Couple this with our friends at home that we miss and put that into the mix and I think that you will agree that no matter how great things are, they are certainly much different from we are used to.
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We were able to get a bit of sun on our balcony this afternoon as we cruise on in the South China Sea: shades of 'Terry and The Pirates' and 'The Dragon Lady' (These were comic book heroes of mine in the 1940s after the war.) The sun on the deck today made me feel better as I select our cabin based on which side of the ship, bearing in mind the direction of travel and sun position. Yes, I do!
This year, *Starboard is best.
Tonight, as last night, for a variety of reasons, we have had dinner with only two others at the dining room table. They are faye and Russ from Seattle. They moved from Australia many decades ago and hold dual citizenship. He, as well as her, are exceedingly interesting to talk to. He held a high position in the World Bank as an economic advisor and have lived in Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia, Moscow and untold other interesting places but his main area of expertise is South East Asia. My gosh some people have had interesting lives.
*Viking ships called the side of the ship the board. The 'star' or steering oar, was on the right side and it's been that way ever since: starboard, or right side. And as the oar was on the right side, they docked on the other side, or 'port side'
Pic: Our 1/2 empty table and Faye and Russ. An interesting pair.
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