I write from the South China Sea as we make our way towards Hong Kong. 

We departed Manila yesterday evening, after 2 days of being alongside.  No arrival video for you as it was pitch dark on our arrival.  Manila Port Authority had 4 cruise ships berthing on the 5th and they were, how do I put it politely?……..Panicking?  All of us were expected to arrive at the pilot boarding ground at around 7 a.m. and, as the Port quaintly put it, “first come, first served”.  That I could live with and so at 5 a.m.   😆 we sneaked in and approached the pilotage area, weaving through the anchored cargo vessels and warships off the port. 

As with many port approaches at night, many of the navigational marks are difficult to discern because of the lights from the city itself.  Nevertheless, the Bridge team, knowing what should be expected and where it should be, made the operation look easy.  The pilot boarded, niceties exchanged and he, obviously having no intention of partaking in the procedure, stood quietly while we took her in.  Once alongside the berth, the usual theatrics ensued, making sure all our shell doors were clear of obstructions and we could get gangways in, stores on and off without hindrance.  Eventually both we and the port were happy and the ship made fast. 

I had to take Karen ashore as she had a plane to catch; her Mum had just passed away and she was flying back to Rochester, NY to be with family. Now, my companion and roving reporter is in snow and ice, a far cry from the 95F, 33C temperatures she left. Despite ideas to the contrary, sailors don’t go ashore too often; I have done so for the blog photos or to accompany Karen, (or both).  I’m afraid there seemed little point in me going into a very hot, humid city where there were few opportunities for photography without her and so I stayed on board. 

We did however have hundreds of visitors about to embark, the wives, husbands and children of our Crew members, their excitement was infectious! 

3 days before our arrival, I received notice that the Port, because of the 4 cruise ships, had taken the incomprehensible decision that there were to be no visitors whatsoever.  After weeks, if not months of them knowing about this situation, this was a bombshell.  Families had made arrangements, travel plans made and excitement building.  To cut a (very) long story short, after much fist-banging, emails and phone calls by myself, Hotel Director and Human Resource Officer, they condescended to allow our families to come at 7 p.m. on the 5th and all day on the 6th.  We heaved a sigh of relief and what fun was had.  Our guests joined in, anticipating the gathering they brought sweets, (candies) and gifts for the children and spent time with them, as did I.  I went to take some photos for you, however ended-up having scores taken with me and their relatives and children instead.  🙂 

 So, after 2 days in port, it was time to depart, I’m sure there were a few tears as the crew said goodbye to their loved ones. 

As we made our west, across Manila Bay the island of Corregidor and, to the north, the province of Bataan, both synonymous with battles long past, but still remembered.