Hirohito, the chef, runs a tight ship. This is his galley aboard the Wallenius Wilhelmsen vessel M/V TARAGO.

Journal and photo by Todd Borgie

Sailing north off the coast of Australia, next stop Singapore.

I am used to the rocking now, and I kind of like it. The boats rocks you back and forth, but I feel as though I am constantly being rocked to sleep, therefore I deal with a constant drowsiness.

Everyone here has been great--very friendly and the food as been incredible. Great food, and I don’t even have to do any dishes! I just show up, eat, and take my dishes to the wash window. Meals are from 7:30am to 8:00am, 11:30 to 12:30pm, and 5:30 to 6:30pm. The team is privileged to eat with the officers, and it has been great getting to know them. The Captain, a stoic Norwegian with a twinkle in his eye; Sten, a rare Norwegian Ford Mustang enthusiast; Freddie, the chief mate who looks like my cousin Ben, who is also a sailor; and the rest: Sparky, Hirohito, Kenneth and Johan. Our experience has been so great that we don’t want to get off the ship in Singapore.

Most of us have our own cabins, which has been a great morale boost and something many of us haven’t been used to over the last 6 months. Many of us are trying to catch up on a lot of work that we have been attempting to do over the last month, although at first it doesn’t seem like there is much to do. There are plenty of distractions such as the crew’s nightly Karaoke festivals, or when the Captain brings out the special Norwegian drink called Aquavit.

It is interesting to be at sea for days on end. With all the conveniences on the ship, it is hard to notice that we have been at sea for a couple of days. There is a basketball court, a swimming pool, movies, books, and many other distractions. The ship is about four years old and every spot is neatly painted, all gear is neatly stowed away, and the 23 officers and crew seem to work very peacefully together. These are four-month tours for them, beginning in Germany and ending there as well. I think this crew will be home in another two months.

I have my own room with a private bath, desk, couch, table and bed. I have been having fun staying in my room and thinking my own thoughts, and more importantly completing some of them before I get interrupted.

At dinner tonight I was invited over to the Captain’s table, and during the course of the meal and the rest of the evening everyone migrated there until we had twelve people sitting around discussing everything from politics, to cars, to life at sea, to life on the road. There were even some stories about eccentric Americans trying to go visit their long lost relatives in Norway. I just can’t begin to convey how relaxing it has been here. This relaxation is essential as we build up for the upcoming months through Asia.

Now back to my own thoughts in my own room.

Logbook for May 19th, Day 201
Start: Indian Ocean
Time: N/A
S: N/A
E: N/A
Finish Indian Ocean
Time: N/A
S: N/A
E: N/A
Mileage: 000
Notes:
(N.O.) Ship antics. Still sailing!

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