The Flight from Hell: As a former seaman, I have been on hundreds of flights. Most of them are forgotten after a day, and some are remembered for a long time. The last “long flight” will be remembered for a long time, but for negative reasons. The first thing one notices when we were more or less ready for departure was that the crew seemed … Continue reading The flight from Hell.
Remember approaching Hong Kong Harbour during a foggy morning, looking at all the new high-risers that they were constructing. Several were already occupied. The top part of the buildings was almost covered in this haze. I was thinking, when this happens, one must feel like living up in the sky. I wonder how that feeling is. The foggy environmental (pollution) issues did not stop in … Continue reading Living in the sky.
Again, while transiting the river to Saigon (Ho Ci Minh City), there are always lots of interesting things to watch. And the local boats are always so colorful. Here we have a couple of boats tied up to each other. This is often done while they stop for the night. The boats swing upstream or downstream, depending of the tide. Yes, it is a tidal … Continue reading Rendezvous in the river…..
This picture was taken while we transited up the Saigon river towards Saigon, or Ho Chi Minh City as it is the official name. While looking at the riverbanks, I notice this church. I knew from before there are a lot of Christians in Vietnam, due to their history of being a French colony. Suddenly became aware of the church spires, and the symbol on … Continue reading A first time see…
Today’s picture is from Halong Bay again. Not always shining sun when we enter early in the morning. This time we were greeted by a more “spooky” setting. Still gorgeous. A Norwegian (my native tongue) word for this scenery is Trolsk. What I liked about this scenery early in the morning was how we could see the rock formations in the distance slowly become visible. … Continue reading Morning haze…
Today’s picture was taken in the port of Da Nang , in Vietnam. If you have traveled some in this region, and especially in this country, you will see that any maritime business in small scale will always include several family members. This is not some 7-8 hours workday, with the weekend off. These people work hard! Nothing less than admirable to observe their work. … Continue reading Work work work…
Today’s picture was taken in Halong Bay , up in northern Vietnam. When traveling in this region, you will notice most smaller cargo ships, boats, and fishing vessels, have been painted in very beautiful color schemes. You will also notice these vessels function as both a workplace as well as their home. And home away from home (traveling home). Rgds, Sailor Continue reading Home sweet home.
Down the Memory Line….. Entering Halong Bay in Northen Vietnam back in the mid 90s. Sunrise as we sail in to the bay. Quite a spectacular sight. An amazing sight is opening up in front of us as we sail further in, to anchor off the town of Hon Gai, for an overnight stay. At anchor for the night, with Hon Gai town in … Continue reading Entering Halong Bay, Vietnam.
Remember when we sailed up this river, using 3-4 hours. Starting around 5 AM. All the twist and turns as the river snakes and bends? Then it turns out it is still another hour before we are there. Again, because of the river is not straight up and down.😁 rgds Sailor Kai Ståle Ødegård Continue reading Up Saigon river….
Today’s picture is just a bragging picture. It always looks so glamorous to work on a cruise ship and walk around in the fancy uniform when one is a Senior Officer on a cruise ship. The fact is, the fun working on the cruise industry disappeared a long time ago. Sure it is still interesting and one can see the world if working on the … Continue reading At work on a Cruise ship.
Today’s picture is taken in the city of Khon Kaen, in north eastern Thailand. In the region called Isaan, or Isan. Wonder how the society would have reacted in the western hemisphere if such assigned parking spots had been created. Rgds, Sailor Continue reading Women parking.
Today`s picture is a shot of my dear mother in law. Yes I say dear, and I consider myself lucky to have such a fine lady in my family. She is a tough, hardworking and caring woman. A wonderful person. rgds, Sailor Continue reading Mother in law.
Today’s picture is from a bar in the city of Khon Kaen, in the north eastern part of Thailand. No worries at all. At least that night. Ohhhh how I miss the times with hardly any worries. Oh well, soon this period in our life will also pass. 🙂 rgds Sailor Continue reading Heavy metal guitarist.
This picture is, as most will recognize, taken from the Bridge over the Corinth Canal, in Greece. This transit was always a spectacular happening, for Passengers and crew alike. The picture was taken by our ship’s photographer. But I had the opportunity to be with him that time, which was the only time I was allowed to do that. The “towing lines” you see on … Continue reading Corinth Canal.
This picture is from one of my visits to the Crocodile Farm and Zoo in Samut Prakan, near Bangkok. Always used to visit this place when the family came to Thailand, while I lived in Bangkok. The Zoo is rather “tired” and in need of maintenance. But it is still worth a visit. PS. The zoo known as the Crocodile Farm. Bon voyage Rgds, Sailor Continue reading Feed me!
Today’s picture is from Thailand. Which was easy to spot. This picture is taken in the region called Isaan, in the province of Kalasin. Love it there. Continue reading Country side.
Working on a cruise ship, is more than just pretty uniforms with a lot of gold stripes on your shoulders. The days can be very busy with a lot of stuff happening. And contrary to what urban myths tell you, Cruise ship offices need to take part in dozens of various job activities, which is not always that fancy. The pictures in this little blog … Continue reading A regular day on a cruise ship.
Relax, it was just a drill. The weekly drill all ships in the world must conduct, according to international maritime law. And the kind of drill should be fairly easy to guess. Yep, it was a Biohazard drill (or chemicals). It goes back to early 2000s when this was a real deal around the globe. Especially the scare and fear for these kinds of attacks. … Continue reading When the alarm bells are sounding.
I have over the years been asked many times about how it is to work on a cruise ship when bad weather sets in. Well, as I always would reply, it kind of depends of the ship’s size and how bad the weather is. But regardless of this we will notice the weather one way or another. It might only be some slight rolling (side … Continue reading When bad weather sets in.
This picture is from the first time I visited the “Crocodile Farm” at Samut Prakan, Thailand. The location is near the international airport in Bangkok. The ones who have been there will most likely tell about a relatively worn out Crocodile farm, but still very much entertaining for people who never saw thousands of crocodiles (and other animals), close up. And of course, you can … Continue reading Today’s picture.
The Traveller 