A dose of ShipBoy

Time to go home...

Well its been 4 months and its time to go home for a bit of a break.

Marcell and I sign off in Miami tomorrow and fly back to Vancouver for a much needed vacation. I think we can both agree that it is certainly needed.

Tomorrow we will be enjoying United's hospitality via Chicago. Been a while since I have flown with them so hopefully it all goes well.

I have to be honest that I am really looking forward to being able to wake up in my own bed, go to Ikea, go watch a movie or six, decorate the apartment... you know, the usual mundane run of the mill things (any more cliches anyone?)

So, we are going to enjoy our last night onboard before tomorrow. Everything is packed and ready to go.

Chat to you all soon on the other side...

M

Ok, so I have been away

Yeah, it seems that this contract has proven to be more tiring than I expected. And most uninteresting. So I have not had much inclination to update the blog.

But now that I have 1 week left before going on Vacation (with a couple V) I thought it only fair to give a quick update.

The last 4 months have been pretty much work - eat - sleep. With a few ports in between. We are doing our Eastern run this week which is perfect for a last week. Late night in San Juan, and two days in St Thomas and St Maarten. Time to get out there and enjoy the summer weather and warm water before heading to Vancouver for the next 7 weeks of R&R.

It has been great being able to spend a full contract with Marcell. While we have both been working and have not always managed to get the same time spaces together, it has certainly been much, much better than being apart the whole time. Definitely been the best way...

Have not got much planned for this vacation. Pretty much just to take it easy. A camping trip is on the cards (the kind with tents and sleeping bags) and for those that know me, this is a huge deal... Now I just need to find a tent that comes with a full bathroom attached and I will be happy.

Also going to see Judas Priest. That's about all I know about that..

Really want to go see Coldplay at the Pemberton Music Festival, not sure if we are going to be able to do that though.

Other plans include catching up on the summer blockbusters and shopping at Ikea for those must have household items. Such a domesticated lifestyle...

Anyway, will try and keep this a bit more informative this vacation. This isn't the end yet...

Later

M

Road Trip: Knysna to Addo

Well, we arrived at Eden's Touch mid afternoon on a drizzly and cool day.

Driving into the forest are between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay is an experience itself, but I think the perfect time to do is in fact on days like that. It adds an air of mystery to the forests.

Eden's Touch is a great getaway but is still close enough to civilization that if you forget the bottle opener or backed beans you can get one in under half an hour. We spent 3 wonderful nights here: braaiing, playing scrabble, and enjoying wonderful bottles of wine.

Leaving Plettenberg Bay, we took the N2 towards Port Elizabeth, and while we did the obligatory stops at various curio stops, I did not tell Marcell that we would be stopping at Bloukrans Bridge. For those who don't know, this is the site of the world's highest commercial bungy jump: 261 heart pounding, adrenaline pumping meters.

After the usual shall we or shan't we debates, we put down our moolah and got rigged up to do the deed. This was my second time to do Bloukrans, which made it a lot easier than the first time. I will say this though, this time it did not feel like flying... it felt like falling! However, I still thoroughly enjoyed it! Marcell also did it, and we both did the flying fox onto the bridge instead of the steel cage walk. That was definitely worth it. Had a quick bite to eat after we got back on solid ground and then it was time to get back on the road.

We drove on towards Port Elizabeth, through a ton of road work and the turned off the high way to make our way to Kirkwood, where we were staying next to use as our base to explore Port Elizabeth, Addo and Grahamstown.

More about that next time...

Later

M

Road Trip: Oudsthoorn to Knysna

Its been tough trying to stay connected and to trowel through hundreds of photos each day. I guess that is one thing one can say about digital photography: One doesn't have to be careful of how you use your exposures.

Marcell and I had a great time in Oudtshoorn. The Celtic Bushman where we stayed was a really comfortable and inviting B&B. With the high temperatures of an Oudsthoorn Summer, the pool right outside our room was the best thing ever. Was perfect just to jump into when the heat got too much. Roxanna was the perfect host and really spoilt us with great breakfasts and wonderful hospitality everyday.

The day we left the cooler weather set in and our drive across the Outeniqua Mountains to George came as a bit of a temperature shock to our systems. It had cooled down considerably when we got to the top of the pass and shorts and t-shirts were no longer adequate. Fortunately as we got to the coast and stopped at Victoria Bay, the weather was certainly much more pleasant albeit cooler.

We stopped at Dolphin Point between George and Wilderness and could see where the rock slides have blocked the railroad for the Outeniqua Choo-Choo causing its seemingly indefinite shut down. A great pity as we really wanted to do that while in the area.

We arrived in a warm and muggy Knysna just at lunch time and enjoyed walking around my old stomping grounds which has changed dramatically in the 3 years since I was last there. Shopping Mall city now. But still maintains some of its rustic charms when driving out to the Heads.

We stayed at Inyathi Lodge for 3 nights which is the heart of Knysna but still gives the feeling of being away from it all. Bungalow 6 which is at the top of the hill, has the added benefit of being well away from noise and bustle.

We unfortunately managed to to be in Knysna during all the rain so spent a lot of our time trying to be out of the rain. But we did manage to do a sunset on Buffels Bay beach with one of my friends who is still in town.

So far this trip has really been about relaxing... Lets see how the next few weeks go. Off to Plettenberg Bay and the Tsitsikamma next.

Later

M

Road Trip: Barrydale

Hi All

We managed to post some photos on the Barrydale section of the road trip page.

Check out the first batch :D

Martin

Road Trip 08

Hi All

So Marcell and I are in South Africa and have begun our road trip. So far the weather has been amazing and wonderful. Really been good for us.

We have set up a map to track our trip. As we get to places, we will update it with photos and such.

We will post more blogs below this one in the near future so please stay tuned.

UPDATE: We have posted pictures for Barrydale, Oudtshoorn and Knysna

Later

M

Time to fly...

So once again the time has come for me to leave another ship.   It has been a very, very interesting contract.   The hardest part was being apart from Marcell for 5 months.   The best part was him cruising with me this last week.

Tonight we fly to South Africa via London which basically means a 6 hour lay over at Heathrow.    Not as bad as I have had in the past.   Pity about the terminal change though.  Past experience has never been good there.   (and again..)  All I can say is: thank you for putting the hand luggage limit back to normal!

So what is happening this vacation?   Well a lot actually.   Marcell and I are doing a road trip from Cape Town to Johannesburg over 30 days.   Going to be a really interesting time.  Taking him to places where I haven't been in years and also to places I have never been too. 

We will certainly be blogging and writing about it so stay tuned...

Well,  I will get back to waiting for our turn to leave.   Looking forward to seeing everyone in SA!

Later

M

Something to think about

Facebook is an interesting phenomenon.  It certainly allows us to share so much information that it can become a serious case of information overload.

However,  every now and then something grabs my attention and this video is one of them. 
Its not a new one...   been around since 2001,  but it was the first time I had seen it. 

I want to add that the statistics  may be altered slightly due to the amount of time that has passed since this was created,   but the main theme is still valid.  A shout out to Kirk for sharing this.

Later

M

December 25

Its hard to get into the Christmas spirit when one is working 10 hours a day and you are apart from the one you love. It also doesn't help when one is forced to take part in things like caroling. This should be something fun, but when roll call is taken to make sure you are there, well... its enough to make one sick of all things holiday... Great way to encourage the holiday spirit!

However, it isn't all bad. I have a great team who have been working really hard to cover the staff shortage, and they have been very supportive. I hope that my non-xmas spirit hasn't affected them too much.

I do though want to wish everyone a Happy Christmas. May you be blessed to be able to be with your loved ones and close friends. Gathered together and celebrating not the gift giving and turkey, but rather each other and the true blessings we give to each other.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Martin

A change is as good as a holiday

Not much going on... nearly finished my handover, but have the keys and the phone, so guess its pretty much done...

I felt like I needed a change today, hence the new colour scheme. I quite like it..

The ship is in Cozumel, Mexico today. I had a quick lunch ashore at Ernesto's - the best fajita factory - but back onboard and heading back to the office in 15 minutes or so. Got to love projects :)

Of course it is Thanksgiving Day in the US today, and although I am not American, I have to say that there are a few things that I am thankful for:

• A family that supports and loves me unconditionally
• A husband that does the same
• Great friends who go the extra mile and help us out way beyond the call of duty
• A job that lets me see the world (a major caveat here being apart from said husband)
• Good health and well being

I know its a short list, but its the important items that count for me...

What is on your list this year?

M