So my days as a 'yachtie' came to an end... quickly! With the season coming to an end, and the promise of work opportunities back in Australia, I decided it was time to move on and make my way home. By providing my employees with a 4 week notice, I believed I was doing the correct and professional thing. This unfortunately was thrown back in my face with my captain essentially ordering me off the boat the following day. Not one word of thanks, not even a good bye was said from my seniors. Sadly, with this process happening all within the space of 24 hours, it meant I had no time to say fairwell to my fellow crew who I had become quite close with over the past 4 months.. It was definitely a surprise for me to come into their cabin to say fairwell as the news of my resignation had only become official in the afternoon. The sour taste left in my mouth of this experience is unfortunate and left me feeling quite upset as it has put a negative spin on a time of my trip that I found very enjoyable. I will certaintly miss all my mates on the boat and all the good times we have had.. However, I wont miss the double standards and unprofessionalism displayed by certain members of staff..
So after being literally kicked off the boat, I had to find somewhere to go! Not sure as to where my mates who are over in Europe were made it very difficult, however I was thankful that I was able to get in touch with an old school mate from Melbourne who as in Vienna!
After flying in yesterday morning to beautiful sunny skies, I had such a sense of freedom and now able to enjoy my time in Europe before I make it back home! Spending the last two days exploring Vienna, although we avoided trips to the many museums was definitely what I needed (a change from the familiar sights of Sardinia!) Tonight we are taking an overnight train to Krakow, Poland!
In order to help with my trip to Poland, I've got a list of phrases that i think will be useful..
Jeden wódki proszę - One vodka please
U nie ma gdzie zaparkować swój samochód - This isnt where I parked my car
Mmm... Polska kuchnia jest cudownym - Mmm... Polish cuisine is delightful
So I could go on.. but I'm thinking I should go to the supermarket to get some food for the train.. Then make the most of the hostel bar before making my way to the station! Guten!!!
Lovers of coffee who happen to live in Melbourne are extremely spoilt for choice... I could name a dozen quality cafes that can serve an extremely good caffé latte, cappuccino or macchiato if I was asked too! Sadly though, whilst stuck aboard a luxury super yacht in one of the nicest locations in the Med, there is little choice when it comes to coffee! The choice is either: instant, tea (which I have become quite fond of), Nesquick or a Nespresso...
For those who are unfamiliar with the Nespresso brand, it is hugely popular in Europe. The instant espresso capsules are ideal for those wanting their caffeine or decaf fix at home. With retail locations where you can walk in a choose your favourite flavour of coffee on the Champs Elysee's in Paris, it is understandably a success.
However, being a barista and appreciating the art of what it takes to make a good coffee great the old fashioned way. Whilst George may think their is no other alternative, either he is yet to experience a Melbourne coffee, or (and quite obviously) his contract is worth way too many dollars for him to care... Meh!
Just a good way to cool off... a nice jump into the water!!
19 metres off the sun deck! I unfortunately don't have a video of the 22 metre jump of the satellite dome but it gives you an idea of how big this boat is!!
Well it seems like this blog has really been on the back burner for the past.. let me see.. month! shit! ok enough making excuses, time to rev it back up again and key in some more entries.
So much has happened in the past month, which has included working insanely long hours at odd hours of the night on the boat, partying with mates from home and frenchies from Paris in the amazing south of France and enjoying 8km runs through the rocky terrain of the Sardinia in Italia! Whilst I have no excuse for inibility to update my blog, I guess it would come down to the fact that I'm having a blast and trying my best to maintain my tan that I have held onto since I left Australia back in January!
Working aboard the boat has had its hard times, however the time off spent jet skiing, wakeboarding, trips to the beach and enjoying the beautiful landscape of the Med can make these hard days a little more comforting!
Whilst I have been unfortunate not to be able to catch the great spectical that is Le Tour de France, I have been catching what I can on EurosportUK. Working nights when we have the owner on board has meant my days are meant for sleeping, which means my time for watching the Tour has been eating into my 'sleep' time and I have found myself experiancing a similar lack of sleep pattern that I used to adopt whilst watching it it back home!
Sadly, I dont have Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwern to keep me company, as the Eurosport commentators are more interesting in answering the emails sent in by first time viewers... (yawn) I'm alot more interesting in hanging out to hear the famous 'Liggett-isms' that Phil is renown for, such as:
(The Peloton passes a field with white cows) "The peloton is passing a field of white cows. This region of France is known for its bovine....(goes off on tangent)....Of course, none of that matters to any of the riders, except that they might like a nice steak at the end of day."
"He's turned himself inside-out!" or "His face has turned inside-out!" In reference to an grimacing rider.
As the tour heads towards the Alps I hope to see Armstrong come through with the overall, however it is definitely still quite hard to pick a winner.. I wish I was able to be at Mount Ventoux for the pinultimate stage, lets hope next year will be for me!
For those of you who happen to be riding at the moment, I am very envious... Not only do I miss riding a bike, somehow I still cant fall in love with running. Yes I have been running frequently, and looking to set the boat record for a course we have near our location but it doesnt start to compare to cycling.. I cannot wait to return to Australia and get back out on the road, get some skinny arms and terrible tan lines.. I guess only those who ride will understand!
For now, I will leave it.. yes I could write alot more however I will endevour to make more of an effort.. Hopefully to include some photos as well! Sadly the internet connection is far from fast.. so I'll do my best!
Hugs and Kisses,
Cam
Life at sea... hmmm what to say?
Well I would have to start this story on Wednesday, the day our boat was leaving sunny Bremen in Germany (it easily could have been a Melbourne winters day)... I was feeling excited to be finally leaving Germany for the sunny seas of the Med, even got up a 5:45am to get out for a run on the last bit of land I would be seeing for a while... Make a note, that is the earliest I have woken up in quite a long time!
Day was going along well with all the crew making the final checks to make sure everything was good to go. Given one last task of returning a set of keys to the Lurssen office seemed harmless enough. So I ran onto land dropped off the keys, only to be asked what our plans were regarding the 12 empty slabs of beer sitting on the dock which we had failed to take to recycling in time..
Not entirely sure what was happening on board at this stage as my radio had been switched on the wrong channel didnt help; however I was nice enough to move all these empties around into the carpark behind the office as the Lurssen lady was happy enough to take care of the rest, harmless right?
Well not really... making my way back to the dock, I saw all the Lurssen workers waving at my crew goodbye?? Shit ok well this isnt good.. Once they spotted me they started yelling as to what in the world I was doing.. As I didnt particuarly feel like being left in Bremen by myself, it meant a leap of faith off the lauching ramp onto the boat was undertaked and all I could say is that I was extremely lucky that I made it back on the boat in time... Crisis number one averted, just...
So now as I write this the boat is currently somewhere off the western coast of france, and the plan is to make it to Gibraltar by Monday morning.. land will be a nice change.. After starting out in the North Sea moving the sea changed drimatically from the calm waters of the river I had become accustomed to in Bremen..
With winds at 35 knots, the boat was certaintly moving a fair amount. Now sea sickness I believe is only in the mind, and I managed to put up with the movement for the majority of the day, untill I walked into my room only hear the sounds of someone else vomitting.. not fun.. Determined to push through I made it to dinner, only to take one mouthful and then I had a make a quick bathroom stop.. There went lunch.. But afterwards sat down and finished my meal.. Interesting to say the least, but gladly I think I have got my sea legs by now.. Others aboard are still struggling so I'm happy that I'm ok...
The next drama happened yesterday afternoon.. there I was watching 'Titanic' on Sky (I didnt choose for it to be on, someone left it on the TV and I sat down to watch a bit) Well this is one thing that you dont want to watch when you are out to sea, is a boat taking on water as you end up jinxing the boat... Withing minutes of the sinking part of the movie underway, an emergency call went over the internal radios saying there was a massive amont of water in the main salon..
Before anyone jumps to any conclusions, the boat is structurally fine so it wont sink; but somehow the captains bathroom plumbing has burst causing water to run down to the room below.. a bit of panic set in, not because of the potential for us to go under, but for the thousands and thousands of euros worth of carpet that has been ruined.... silk carpets dont really respond to water too well just incase you consider getting some put in your house.. So we did our best to contain the water damage but still I dont think I'm going to watch anymore boat tragedy movies anytime soon!!
Besides this its been pretty smooth sailing to say the least.. I'll attempt to get some photos up, but sadly the internet is deadly slow so I'm sure that can last till I make it to Antibes! Cant wait to get back to France and have a beer with all those I left behind!!
Untill then, lets hope I make it there in one peice...
No photos unfortunatety at this stage.. but happy to say im living aboard ´Coral Island´a 72m motor yacht! Adjusting to life in Bremen aboard a boat has been interesting, although my role as a glorified cleaner will take a bit of getting used too..
Soon we set sail for Gibralter and then onto Antibes in the south of France! A week long trip at sea will really test my sea legs and hopefully ill make it there in one peice.. The living conditions aboard really are quite comfortable, as it has all the necessities needed including a PS3! I have started challenging all to FIFA but sadly I do not think ill be the best of board... yet!
Been lucky enough to make the most of the daylight savings and been running quite a bit but sadly, not any cycling to be seen... except for the stupid germans who ride their town bikes on the footpath ringing their bell at you for getting in their way... "its called a road!!"
Also, wated a brilliant british comedy called "The inbetweeners"... recommend it to anyone... well, maybe not everyone but definitely funny!
Now i must go and make the most of the day off, somehow i think that will be watching the Super 14 final with the South Africans who are apart of the crew... Sadly no Australian team to support but it should be alright...
After flying in yesterday morning to beautiful sunny skies, I had such a sense of freedom and now able to enjoy my time in Europe before I make it back home! Spending the last two days exploring Vienna, although we avoided trips to the many museums was definitely what I needed (a change from the familiar sights of Sardinia!) Tonight we are taking an overnight train to Krakow, Poland!
So I could go on.. but I'm thinking I should go to the supermarket to get some food for the train.. Then make the most of the hostel bar before making my way to the station! Guten!!!
