It was really weird, as we sailed away from Picton, we sailed out from under stormy, black rain clouds and into beautiful clear skies. It seemed that the clouds were just hovering over the land. I guess that’s why New Zealand is called Aotearoa, The Land of the Long White Cloud.
Addendum: In today’s sea-state ‘forecast’, the Captain said it’s going to be really bad overnight and to take our seasickness pills now. Then he said that according to Housekeeping that means it’s going to be a good crossing over to the Sounds because whenever he says it’s going to be bad, it’s usually nice. (That has been our experience so far. We had a GORGEOUS day today, and the crossing last night, while a bit pitchy, was not very bad at all.)
Addendum to the Addendum: I suppose it’s not a good thing when you go out on the back deck, and the benches are lashed to the railings.
Addendum to the Addendum’s Addendum: Interesting development. The Volendam lost power, and we were absolutely dead in the water for five minutes or more. We drifted sideways to the swells and got some really good rolling going. I’m pleased to report that the engines are back online now, and we’ve got forward motion again. I’m not so pleased to report that Dad and Aunt Brigitte decided to GO OUT on the ‘back porch’ to see the swells. Hmmmmmmmmmm. They survived, but I might kill them now. The captain said we ‘dropped an engine’. As if one just fell off or something! Something overloaded the other engine, and it went offline before they could do anything about it. It’s very weird to be in a blackout on a ship. Good thing I always pack a flashlight.
I’m off to take some Meclizine.
Addendum to the addendum to the . . . etc. (by Dad)
The captain just announced that some passengers are smelling smoke in their cabins, but not to worry. Call the front office if you smell smoke!
Oh, really? Wow, and here I thought you were supposed to ignore signs of fire or electrical overload. Silly me!
ps The sea state is now rough (7.5 to 15ft swells) and expected to go higher. No seasickness in our cabin yet. Keep your fingers crossed!
3 comments:
Ok you have to quit posting how there are all kinds of things going wrong....it makes me worried, especially when the last thing you say is that there are 15 foot swells...just makes me nervous you know??
A misadventure! We dependent kids on that ship to Japan loved stormy weather - many more moms than kids retired to their rooms and we gained the critical numbers to control the wardroom as a pure play area. But I'm jealous - we would have had a BLAST running free on a blacked-out ship.
This post started out all happy and gorgeous, then got more pitchy and nerve-wracking as it went on... oh my word! You loose power and drop a what? That does NOT sound good in the middle of the ocean...in the dark...with waves and everything. Glad to see that bench roped down. Maybe you should do that yourself too! :)
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