Friday, June 30, 2006

Russia

Finally made it to St Petersburg, Russia and our 1st overnighter here. Found ou that I can get off with my British Seamans book, but have decided to wait until we're here next time to make the most of it! Everyone's heading to a club tonight (that's basically the entire crew!) so I may partake, although I am covering for DJSimon this evening so may not actually get there 'til late - still the bus entrance and first drink are only $10 so would still be worth it I feel! Went on a tour in Stockholm, round the city and to the Vasa museum - A big war ship built in the 1600's that sank 25minutes after leaving the dock!

All is going well at the mo. A few interesting illness and injuries going about (an inflamed sweat gland?!?) and the usual soap opera of social chaos that working on a ship provides. I have turned into a bit of a counsellor this week which has been nice - although I may need one after the next few days!! Should be going on self guided bicycle tour of Visby (Sweden) in a few days with Zoe (and anyone else brave enough to come along) - will attempt to see cultural things and not get lost!

New countries visited in the last few weeks include Finland, Russia and Estonia. I'm sure we end up in Germany at one point - chance to test out my language skills!

1 week 'til the family arrive:))))

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Where's the Whales???

Sorry about the lack of posting but because we change itineraries all the time it's quite tricky to keep on top of things!

Today we crossed the Arctic Circle - how cool is that! Just when you thought it couldn't get any colder...... this also explains why I am typing this at 1am having just finished work rather than heading to the OB or to bed - it's sill flippin light outside - you'd think it was 4 o'clock on a cloudy afternoon - it is quite the weirdest experience!

The last few weeks have been cool, pretty eventful - what with all the D&V in the news the company (in their wisdom) decided to ban us from getting off the ship last Newcastle - but only decided to tell us at 8:30pm the night before - to late to call and change any previous arrangements (it being a sea day we couldn't contact anyone anyway), and the day we start our first 2 week cruise! It was purely to show that we're doing something - but as we were going to be mixing with both sets of passengers anyway there really was no logical point - apart from causing the staff a lot of grief!

The weather has been fantastic - so hot in the Fjords. We were back around Geiranger and Flam a couple of days ago and all the snow is melting so the waterfalls are just amazing! I played football again in Flam - I should go and see if I made the team for tomorrow - go CELEBRATION! - but I doubt it as I was the only the girl! There's a kit and a medic and everything :)

Some stuff going on back home which needs dome thinking about, but I'd already started down that path - it just means some adjustments to various plans - mainly financial!

My mum, her friend and my SISTERS!!! are on soon - yeyeyeyey! I can't wait for them to experience this :)