Pacific Hell-o

This is a post I wrote aboard the Hanjin Copenhagen without an Internet connection. If you’re seeing it, I’ve made it off the ship, alive but probably a bit woozy.

The vessel happened to hit “weather” very early on in its journey. As expected, I did not fare well. I however braved the first day with alternating cold and hot sweats, shaky hands and the ubiquitous bouts of porcelain-worship.

With only one Gravol, I made it through 3 more days of swaying and swooping without the need to vomit. However, I achieved the feat from bed, and the crew became antsy about my state. The Captain made a visit to my cabin to pep-talk me outta there and onto the Bridge, or at least outside for a few minutes of fresh air every day.

He warned that although the following day would be very smooth, that the day after would be rougher than the first few. He offered me an escape route home “by helicopter or something” if I didn’t think I’d be able to handle the upcoming onslaught. I vehemently naysayed any such possibility. Japan was waiting! And for that matter, Korea was waiting!

I took the opportunity to ask the Captain about a potential special disembarkation in Busan. Although he shook his head , his words said otherwise. He said he would find out if any strings might be pulled for me.

…and the verdict was…

I was let out in …

Dun dun dunnnn…

_____SHANGHAI_____ .

*sigh*

I’ve made it in one piece, after being denied a Korean disembarkation. “Huge fines” would have been charged, and therefore the Korean authorities strictly forbid it. That said, a passenger on the ship’s previous schedule was permitted to disembark – with hassles – only because he was a Korean citizen.

As if to rub it in my face, half our crew signed off in Busan. I could have snuck through had they declared me as a crew member. This was in fact REQUIRED in Shanghai. I was told that Immigration probably wouldn’t ask me details about my ‘job’, but that I should be aware I would no longer be considered a passenger in their paperwork. This sounded shady to me, but apparently, this is how things work in the freight industry in China.

Internet was pretty spotty in Shanghai, but I’ll update again (possibly belatedly) as soon as I find my bearings. At least I have no ‘sea legs’ to adjust! I am now safely in JAPAN and ready to crash from the exhausting trek from ferry to subway to Shinksnsen to train. I’ll reboot and start fresh tomorrow! Thanks for reading and supporting my crazy adventure!