Liner Lady

Monday, 27 February – At sea.

After breakfast I checked out two videos, “Name of the Race” and “Peggy Sue Got Married,” the latter for tonight.  Then I spent the rest of the morning till 11:30 in my cabin when I attended the Valdemar Hansen lecture on the Pacific islands.  Then for lunch I went to Lido and joined two ladies from New Zealand.  Ate four crème caramels and a lime chiffon pie – Yum!

I checked on my Passport, and then returned to 3065 to await C.’s call.  I left for tea after four o’clock, sitting next to a nice couple from Hull.  I then went up on sun deck (it having been cloudy, muggy and rainy all day), chatted with a Robert on Fantail and a Beatrice on Sun Deck for a long time.  I found C.’s reply to my tea note – yes he did fall asleep again – but he picked me up at 6:15 and we went to the pub.  For a short while we were the only ones. 

Formal dinner at table 293 was most pleasant and jolly.  I had halibut with spinach and Hollandaise sauce.  We left at 9:30 to hear the Opera Trio – soprano, Baritone and pianist.  Pretty good.  I then changed my clothes and went up on Boat Deck to hang out!  The forward wind must have been at least 60 mph and the air warm and muggy.  Again I got that wonderful painful felling of desperation for wanting the sea experience to last.

Tuesday, 28 February – At Sea.

I awoke at 7:30, went to Columbia at eight, then decide to be gregarious at Lido breakfast.  I sat with 2 Canadian ladies, then a talkative lady originally from Liverpool.  We chatted a long time.  Then at ten o’clock I walked up to Boat Deck and hailed C.  He is upset because one of his colleagues died last night and they are all feeling guilty because they hadn’t always been nice to him.  He said several of them gathered in the cabin to talk it out and they fell better.

I attended a bit of the Theatre lecture, and then went shopping, coming away with a photo album, scarf, card case and “Liners to the Sun” by John Maxtone-Graham.  At Harrod’s on One Deck, I bought two washcloths and a vanity kit.  Enjoyed the bright sun, strong wind and blue brisk sea from Boat Deck, then headed for sports deck and Lido deck overlooking the fantail.  I struck up a lengthy conversation with a Betty from London, and we ended up having lunch at the Lido, sitting with an American couple with whom we talked well over an hour.  I changed into my bathing suit and went to meet C.  When he finished his hovering we went to the crew deck next to the Funnel to sun.  Paul  came up too and several others I recognized.  We enjoyed relaxing time for thirty minutes or so, planning his party, talking about the morning incident etc.  He wanted to help Tony clean out the guy’s cabin area, so we parted till 6:15.

I sauntered aft on Boat Deck, and up to Sun Deck where I found Keith.  He gave me a tray of tea and cookies, and accepted the invitation to C’s party.  I also spent some time on Fantail deck reading and resting, then back to the cabin to prepare for the Pig run at 6:15.  C. came in a short time, then we went down for the usual gathering.  We further planned the invitations to his friends, and then I returned to my cabin to prepare for dinner.  I had Teriyaki chicken and pound cake and ice cream for dessert.  Afterward, I just checked in to see the dancing with the  Joe Loss Orchestra.  I sang a bit with the music and attracted attention Ha!  I also saw a snatch of the John Cleese movie, “A Fish Called Wanda.”

C. called for me after eleven ad we went to the Pig.  Sat with Mary and Muredach, while C. talked at length with a waiter who was collecting money for the deceased man’s family.  Eventually we two returned to my cabin and watched “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Wednesday, 1 March – At Sea Equator Crossing.

I ate breakfast at the Lido with the lady with bells, then went over to chat with Auntie Anne Muredach’s Aunt.  Checked briefly with C. at ten thirty.  He was due to have cabin inspection so we parted till tonight.

Meanwhile, I started packing, and then went to Lido balcony to await the Equator festivities.  At noon the Neptune parade came in with the Gordino dancers as mermaids, the Joe Loss Band and Judges in wigs.  Several passengers and crew were mercilessly slobbered with spaghetti, tomato catsup, eggs, hot dogs and pies, then thrown into the pool.  Even the “Bobbies” and “Cook” ended up in the pool.  It was very hot and muggy all the time so I was very glad when it was over and I could go inside for lunch.  The people I sat with today weren’t all that interesting but the fudge gateau with strawberries was outstanding.

I returned to my cabin, continued my packing and searching for my Timex watch.  At three or so I made my way via Boat Deck, where again the wind was very strong.  C. was just finishing up work, and we went up to Crew Deck Funnel, found two beat up chairs and sat in the shade away from the wind.  We talked through his leave dates, trying to figure out our next get-together, which may have to be the week before he goes back on July 4.  When we parted I strolled around the shops, bought shoelaces, and then found the two Canadian ladies near Queens Room and chatted with them till five thirty.  I took my shower and finally found my watch. 

C. got me at six fifteen, and as usual, we went to the Pig.  This was particularly enjoyable because we were planning tomorrow.  We saw the guy who caught the flying skirt and congratulated him. Earlier when people were basking in the sun on Fantail, a gust of wind had lifted a bathing suit cover-up and it started to blow away.  This lad did a might leap and caught it before it was lost overboard.  He was surprised to learn I am a passenger, and complimented me on my friendliness and vivacious nature.

As usual we parted at seven o’clock, and I headed for dinner.  I finished my packing, dressed in my blue skirt outfit with C.’s gift necklace, and went to join Peter and Frances Downs and her Father Frank Holden, plus Bea and Al for my last dinner with them.  We exchanged addresses and photo taking.  At 9:30 I met Mary and we went to C.s cabin, 562 to decorate for the party.  At 11:15 I returned to his cabin to find him lying in the hall with his shirt off, looking humorously helpless.  The party got a slow start, but by the time it finished (I left at 4 a.m.) C. had received his chocolate kiss and book, and seemed pleased with the whole thing.  Everyone except me got smashed.  C. received a cake in the face and toward the end, Muredach, Paul, Brian, C. and B. Walsh sang songs all in pretty good voice!  I had about four hours sleep, rose at 7:30 as we were coming into Papeete Harbor.

Thursday, 2 March – Papeete, Tahiti

We came slowly into the harbor by dawn’s sunlight glaring at us from the island, so we couldn’t photograph very well.  Moorea was misty in the distance and the air very humid.  I watched and photographed the arrival from Boat Deck, getting a shot of Captain Bennell and the pilot giving great care as she slipped to quayside.  I had my last breakfast with the New Zealanders, then went to hail C.  He never did go to bed!

I finished my final cabin gutting, and went up to Immigration in Queens Room.  There were only about 30 of us going off, so we were done by ten o’clock.  I disembarked and waited dockside for C. and talked with Betty Bridle from Hampton (London).  She invited me to contact her when in London.  When C. appeared after an Emergency Boat Drill, we three went into town.  C. helped me settle in my room at the Ibis Hotel, then we took a taxi to the Beachcomber Hotel.  We had a drink in a large hale, then went to swim and sun in a lagoon formed by an island of guest hales.  C. fell asleep, naturally, then we had a delightful lunch in the tropical ambiance of the open cool restaurant.  We took nother short beach session and stroll along the beach, taking photos of each other, then we got a taxi back to town to visit the market.  We saw a huge Les Halles type structure where they sell fruits, vegetables, fish, meat etc. downstairs and crafts upstairs.  C. bought himself a carved shell pendent and then leis for both of us.

Departure time drew near, so we walked to the courtesy jitney or “le truck” and said fond goodbye with hug and kisses. Several crew kids got on top the truck, but were told to get down. 

Being now forced to accept I was shore-bound, I walked back to the Ibis hotel, showered, and set out again to view, photograph and tape what I could of the QE2.  I walked a long way along the waterfront, and was eventually joined by many Tahitians to watch the momentous departure.  QE2 slowly drew away from the quay and headed out through the narrow channel toward Moorea at sunset, with the clouds beginning to turn pink in the last rays of the sun.  All I could do then was sadly to  return to my hotel and take up the task of touring the island, taking a trip to Moorea and flying back home.