Crew Blog

Home away from home

05 March 2008

It has been a long six months since the end of my Part C training back in Gosport, UK.  The wait to join in the action onboard Uniquely Singapore became more and more unbearably painful, as I bade farewell to my fellow Keppelites on their respective legs.  It has now been just over a week since we set off from Qingdao and I am finally onboard, crashing through the Pacific Ocean on our way to Hawaii!  Yes! 

What brings an even greater smile to my face is the fact that the tales of bravery, selflessness, determination, camaraderie and laughter seen and heard onboard Uniquely Singapore that I have been told of by those who have finished their legs are all true… not that I ever doubted them.  They are still happening here and now.

The irony of the situation is that in the last six months, and after spending an arm and a leg on a 3-bedroom flat, and then spending the other arm and leg renovating it, I have only stayed 14 nights there before going over to Qingdao to join the crew. Yet, I will be spending more than 40 nights in total onboard Uniquely Singapore before I get to go home.  The difference is, another day at home would very soon become just that – another day.  But I will remember and savour every single day I have spent onboard this boat for the rest of my life.

Last but not least, a very big “thank you” to my Shi Fus (teachers) Tim and Anna for their invaluable helming lessons, and Marlena for her constant words of encouragement.

Lawrence