We are at anchor in Jakarta Bay, 6 miles from the harbour. We arrived here yesterday afternoon and joined 60+ other vessels at anchor.
The last time I wrote, we were making our way from Port Klang, Malaysia, steaming at a stately 15 knots towards our destination. Strangely enough, it is the first time we have steamed through the busiest shipping lane in the world, the Malacca Straits, in daylight. We have always been rushing to Singapore, or leaving Singapore during the hours of darkness; for me it offered the opportunity for some photography, an added bonus.
A radar picture, Singapore Island at 12 o’clock, Batam at 3 o’clock. The yellow dots are ships
We are approaching the trickiest turn in the traffic lane, a 90 degree turn, with shipping around us. We adjust speed to make the turn without interfering with the other vessels, as they also turn
How it looks out of the window. The black object at 9 o’clock is a wreck, someone got it wrong…….
We pass a drill-ship
We pass Singapore…if only…
Past Batam’s east side and we make our turn to the south, making for Jakarta, thus leaving the busy sea-lane for less congested waters.
The 28th and someone’s birthday, moi! 🙂 Wonderful videos from my daughters and grandchildren are on my phone, cards on my WhatsApp from all of them. This one is from Emily, my ship is on its way to ‘Amirica’, my cabin entrance is decorated and a cake at coffee, on the Bridge.
I am surprised after lunch………………..Unfortunately I can’t rotate it through 90° for some reason…….
Then to the anchorage, weaving our way to our designated spot, through numerous other vessels.
There are 2 other cruise ships here with us and both have to complete their disembarkation of Indonesian crew before we do. Optimistically ours will be on May 1st, however, as I have learned from experience, I’ll believe it when I see it.
More later and stay safe!
Happy Birthday, Captain Jonathan! We hope you eventually can make it safely back to “Amirica.”
Mike & Diane Gadell (world cruise 2012, 2014, 2017)
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY CAPTAIN. BEST CAPTAIN EVER! 🥇🏅That horn blast was great. 🎺🎺🎷Loved that cake decoration. Beautiful job by the Chef. 🎉🎂🎊🎁🍾💖💕🍰💝🌹🎈🍾🍾❤️🐬
Hi Captain
Happy birthday to you. Coincidentally our anniversary is on the 28th. I hope you were able to enjoy your day. Loved the pictures from your grandkids and that cake is a work of art. I looks delicious. Stay well and healthy. We miss you all.
Hi Jonathan,
Thank you for this current update to your Blog!! Loved seeing your picture from your granddaughter! And the cake looked delicious and loved the door decorations!! So glad you had a fun birthday!!! We were thinking of you!!!
Surely hope you are able to offload lots of crew there in Jakarta!!
Stay safe and healthy!!! You all there on Amsterdam are so great!! Keep in touch!! Love and hugs to you, Karen, and everyone!! Jan and Dick
A very Happy Birthday and many more. We’re glad Karen was there to share it with you. Safe voyage to your next port-of-call.
Happy Birthday Captain, enjoy this most liberating sailing time while you can!
Happy birthday dear Captain Mercer. I remember celebrating last year at the bar in the Crow’s nest. Happy memories! I wish you a safe return home!! Warm regards. Maria from BsAs, Argentina.
Happy Belated Birthday from your Canadian friends. Stay safe, be well!!!
Happy Birthday and many more. We wish you a safe journey home. We loved the 2020 (1/2)World ! 🎂🍾🥂🎉🌈
Belated Happy Birthday. Mine was 2 weeks ago but I’ll celebrate my 1/2 birthday in October. We were only 2016 world cruise from Spruce Creek Fly In. I was K3! So enjoy your posts. This will be a birthday to remember forever.
Karen Ray
Happy Belated Birthday, Captain! Looks like it was a good day for many reasons. So happy our wonderful crew and staff will soon be home where they can shelter in place with their families. So happy, too, that you will soon be able to start that retirement! Be safe and well. Can’t wait to see the video of the crew coming down the gangway!
Hope you had a great birthday!
Belated birthday wishes! This is one you will not soon forget. Continued prayers for a safe and timely disembarkation for crew there. Can’t imagine the anxiety everyone is experiencing. Be safe , be well.
Tallulah and OK Bryant
Hap-Hap-Happy belated birthday Captain J.
Just great to see that the team gave you a good party.
Loved the Ships horn.
Wonder how long here… then Manila perhaps.
Do hope you don’t have to sail back to Durban to get to FLL. But maybe to West Coast of America’s.
I bet the Indonesian crews family are anxious ashore.
Keep safe & well
Happy birthday Captain! May you have a year filled with love, memories and laughter!