Today is another day at sea, but one with a slight difference. As we are nearing Dubai, which we will reach on Monday, we have entered waters where piracy still happens. So our crew has been out practising all the appropriate security drills for that situation. Apart from all the worrying world news, which I watch daily on my stateroom TV, this certainly pulls you up and makes you remember that not all the world is a safe haven. Many live in the shadow of fear all the time. I think particularly of the people of Seoul right now.
On a lighter note, though, I must tell you about the little daily battles that occur on a ship. This is literally of soap opera proportions. I shall call it the battle of the laundromats. Around the long, long passageways of the ship, a number of small laundries are located. They contain two washing machines, two driers and an iron and ironing board. With over 2000 passengers, the demands on them are continuous. They say you never really know someone unless you share a Will with them. Well, let me tell you, these little laundromats certainly all bring out the worst in people too. I have been hearing amazing tales from fellow passengers of people who, for example, try to do 7 loads of washing in a row and expect everyone to wait until they have finished - and put on temper tantrums when people waiting in the queue complain and they do not get their way. Then there are people who have left a washing machine for a short while as it does their load and have come back to find someone has hauled it out before the end of the cycle and left it there in a pile, with their knickers on top for all to see, so they can do their own washing. . . The worst story is the couple who took revenge on a ‘machine hog’ and threw chocolate into the tumble drier as it did his clothes! Goodness me! And I have heard it has even come to blows in one case. Beggars belief, doesn’t it? And these are supposed to be civilised, well-to-do people! . . . And we expect politicians to sort things out.
Me, I just do my washing by hand in my basin, dry it in a towel and hang it in my shower. . . and my lovely room attendant puts up with it very patiently, without a word. He just goes and gets fresh dry towels and hangs them up in my bathroom, ready for the next lot.
On top of this we have a ‘mystery man’ on board, who has excited our curiosity. He appears to be Japanese, maybe in his 60s, with long hair that is sometimes tied up. Every day he walks around the ship carrying two bulging carry bags, one of which has a toy koala clinging to the handle. Into his bags he puts objects that take his fancy and carries them into his room, even flower arrangements, vases and all, from one of the dining rooms. He also picks up at least half a dozen towels a day but only lets his cabin attendant into his room once every three days - and stays there watching the whole time. He takes private dancing lessons and attend balls, occasionally asking a lady to dance with him but never talking to her when she does. Then he dances on his own as if he is holding a lady. Obviously he is really eccentric, but as he is going the whole way around the world, the crew just put up with his idiosyncrasies. But we would love to know his story . . .
Yep, life on board is never dull!
I hope you all enjoy your Easter break!
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