St Patrick's Day on QM2 -
The sea's turned a sort of yellowy green in tune with the mood on board as we recently turned SW'erly into the Straights of Taiwan, en route to an overnight call at Hong Kong.
There are many guests who have managed to find a sort of shamrock colour to wear - and a few may have experienced feeling a bit green as QM2 has been letting us know that there's a gentle swell in this part of the world too.
We are expecting the beer in the Golden Lion to have turned green, although In Shanghai yesterday, several reported that there wasn't a green silk bow-tie to be had anywhere.
Anyone arriving from Mars might think that the Irish had taken us over - in fact they might have done, although it hasn't been mentioned in the Daily Programme...yet!!
On the Bit Behind the Bridge at lunchtime the computer / radar screens were full of life - little and several larger ships 'keeping us company'.
It's been good to watch on the decks as QM2 sails past most at 25.8 kts, as if she's showing them all how 'it' should really be done - it's not difficult at all to imagine how it must have been time and time again on board QE2.
There was a good 'list' from stbd to port yesterday evening - we were tied up in the biggest container port in the world (yes - much, much bigger than Dubai!) and as the tide rose, we were needing to wait for it to peak before sailing out. It was impressive, both the docking in a very tight parking bit between two 'small' container ships', and then speeding off from no kts to several in seconds, before the water depth dropped any further. We knew the depth was particularly shallow (sorry, as can't remember exactly how much it measured - hoping some one else might let us know!)
Before we sailed and from on the quay, alongside, I dropped a red rose into the sea - this was in very loving memory of Saga Rose. You'll remember that she was taken to the Yangtse River to be scrapped less than a year ago, not too far from where we were on QM2.
By the way - if ever you get the chance, go to Shanghai; it's the most amazing place, everyone loved it!
700 passengers disembark in Hong Kong - as well as many crew members.
The latter will be missed much by their friends, and of the new crew joining, several will need to be trained by those remaining.
Thanks to everyone for their messages. - thinking of you, and wishing you all well.
Thinking too, of the rest of the world.
It feels as if we are sealed in our own bubble at times - and it's difficult to reconcile this with the tragic experiences of all in Japan as well as Christchurch and the 'trouble spots' in the Middle East
Rosie.
