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This kind of travelling is either for the relaxed traveller who goes with the flow, or the super organised researcher, that plans for every possibility. I fall under the second category, and it is the many blogs that I’ve read that have helped me successfully get onto this very large and busy vessel.

There has to be a bit of going with the flow though!!! I just plan for that.

I’ve tracked my ship from Fremantle using this site for when the ship was in range. So far it as stayed on schedule, which I understand, is unusual in freighters.

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/564086000/vessel:SPIRIT_OF_MELBOURNE

On the morning it was set to arrive, I rang the number I’d been given to find out where to go. I was forwarded on 4 times before I got someone who actually knew what I was talking about, and they said “Oh you’re the passenger for the Spirit of Melbourne”. “yes!” I exclaim, only to be told to ring another number where I was forwarded on another 2 times.

Eventually I caught a taxi to the harbour and headed for the gatehouse of the dock I thought I was meant to be on. We were given more instructions every time we thought we had arrived, and he jokingly told me he should just drive me to NZ rather than me get on the ship.   I told him the treasure hunt for a large bright orange ship was surely more fun.

But the fare was less than $20 and he eventually got me to the entrance where they checked my passport and put me on a shuttle to the ship.

Here I was met by a crew member in orange overalls and a hard hat, who wanted to carry all of my luggage onto the ship for me. The gangway was narrow and steep with angled steps so I convinced him I’d take the cabin bag and he could take the suitcase. He seemed a little agitated at this, but accepted it was the most logical arrangement.

Once on board I was taken to the office, where the Captain introduced himself and welcomed me on-board. The crew weren’t sure what to do with me, as there was a lady still in my cabin, who would not be departing until customs had cleared her.

The Captain took me to the officers mess and the Steward gave me a glass of water and a jug. Everyone introduces themselves by their title and have no name badges so I gather I should be calling them as such.

It’s crazy but I have the lady from the Titanic movie in my head saying “Capitaine” every time I go to say Captain, and I’m scared that’s what will pop out.

I read in one blog that the ship was very hot for the first night, and it was due to the aircon not going while in port. I very much hope that it’s the same case for me, as the ship has every window and door locked to stop stowaways, and it is stifling inside. I have signed a document that says I acknowledge the window should not be opened at sea or in port (read “never”).

My room is spacious and still has a view across the front of the boat. But it wasn’t long til I was summoned back to the office to sign my Australian Departure card. I was amazed that my bags were never checked and they were happy to just to say, “have a good trip” and get my card signed.

The crew come from 5 different countries. Most of the crew are from Burma (they say Burma not Myanmar), as is the Captain, but there are officers and engineers from Scandinavia, Russia, Germany and Poland. I find the Europeans barely acknowledge me so far, but the Burmese smile and nod at me a lot.

Dinner was a hamburger and chips, but they didn’t appear to have bread so it was more like a meat paddy, chips and salad. The paddy was very tasty.

I sat on the Captain’s left and he told me where I was allowed to go and was very friendly.

It gave me the courage to head up to the Bridge to explore that night, where I found him alone listening to loud music. He showed me some of the instruments, and how to open doors to get onto decks if I want. He tells me the crane driver is not very good, as the containers swing too much. I tell him he is lucky to have such a gorgeous ship. He thinks I am funny.

The other guests on the board are also European. I concentrated so hard on repeating their names correctly rather than memorising them and I’m afraid I’ve already forgotten them. They did not seem keen to make conversation yet, and told me that we all eat at different times, so not to look for them. They did tell me how funny it was that the lady before me ate Vegemite though. They showed me the tube as if it was an artefact of interest rather than just vegemite. My lack of amazement disappointed them.

Back in the room there is a constant hum of aircon blowing hot air, and rhythmic banging of containers. At about 2am when everything was unloaded, and they started loading, it was then accompanied by shaking as if we were having 3.5 earthquakes every 2 minutes.

Occasionally the crane operator would misjudge and there would be a resounding bang followed the shaking as if we had a 4.5 earthquake.

The bed is very firm, and with the shaking and banging I spent much of the night awake. I occasionally got up to take more photos or videos out my window. Once we are at sea I presume it will be much quieter. Either than or I will adjust like we did to earthquakes in Christchurch and sleep anyway.

I am currently waiting for us to depart port, where I hope to watch from the bridge, and then I’ll see what the waves are like.