Thursday, January 29, 2009

Aaaaarrgghhh!!!

What a bad news... i cannot sign off from my ship in january. I had my luggage packed and all prepared to go. I even got my flight ticket ready. Time to go home and wait for chinese new year. Then my captain called,

"Sorry, you can't go. The guy who is relieving you did not come."

I did not smile for one week... Yes, it is time to douse the 'fire'. I then chose to visit Six Flags Magic Mountain, Los Angeles, California. It is a roller coaster theme park. There were 4 of us.

After a few rides, I started to have sore throat. I was screaming that hard, ok? Chicken shit me! After taking the Superman - The Escape, i was done for the day. It goes up to 160kph in 6 seconds.

That wasn't the scariest. I had a 56 year old man with me throughout the rides. He is my chief engineer. I was worried sick about him all day. And that was the scariest thing. He was the one bugging me to try the rides one after another. Giving him excuses like the need to go to the loo, buying a drink, losing my voice, my mom doesn't allow me... cannot fool him. Eeewww...



Tatsu - Fly at the speed of fear!They claimed this is the world's tallest, fastest and longest flying coaster according to their 2008 Park's Map and Guide. I haven't had the time to check its credibility yet. Sure enough someone has overtake its glory by now.

Chief Engineer, Mr. Snake, Senior Electrician and his wife.

You lifted me up!

I experienced a quick 2-day drydocking in Hong Kong. It is a floating drydock. Ummm... my ship is like sitting on a very large flat 'submarine'. When the 'submarine' surfaces, our 36000 tonnes ship rises well above the water level. Wow!

I managed to do some panorama pics. There is no way for me to put everything into a picture in one shot. I need a wide angle lens. The ship is so huge. As an engineer on board, I spend all my time keeping the propeller and rudder in good working condition. Come to think of it, these are the only 2 things that keep the ship moving. Finally, i have found my chance to see where all my hard work goes.