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Austria
Friday 2-10-09
JAMBO had to undergo a
scrutinizing inspection, but nothing serious
was found. The TOYOTA team of NBT had done a
good job
those days back in Brunei. We had worked the last days on our farmer house in
Austria. A few years back we heard about an
iceman,
discovered in the Alps by hikers, and this mummy was displayed in Bozen, Southern Tyrol, an autonomous region
in today's Italy.
We decided to move
again, loaded JAMBO and by early morning we
were traveling west, soon leaving Austria,
entering Italia where
the sun is shining and
ice-cream is at its best.
The town
Bozen we reached early afternoon, therefore
we went straight to the museum, where the
corpse rest after "freezing in Ice
for 5000
years. (Please forgive these low quality
pictures, we were not allowed to photo in
the Museum. All pics are from "Oezi the
iceman")
This is the story. Two hikers from Germany descended on a
September day in 1991 in the Oetztaller Alps
from the Finail peak, but
did not take the common route rather decided for a shortcut. As
they walked past a rocky gully they noticed
something. It was a
human corpse. They
thought that might be an unfortunate victim
of a mountaineering accident of recent
times. An hour later they
reached the Similaun mountain refuge, from where the
Italian Carabinieri and the Austrian police
was informed. No one thought,
that the dead man will soon become famous.
Rumors spread that the corps had head wounds
and was even tied up. That resulted in
an
criminal investigation. "We must find
the murder" thundered the prosecutor
standing in front of the mountain police.
Bozen
surrounded by high mountains
here they found "Ozi"
that is how he
was lying on his face
the man had over 50 tattoos
a reconstruction
and the original mummy
The body was recovered in
the next days and transferred to Innsbruck.
Only a few days later archeologists were
brought in and during
examination of the axe
found next by, dated the whole find to be at
least 4000 years old. Later on, using the C14 carbon
dating
method it was established, the man
lived between 3350 and 3100 BC, that is 5000
years ago. He has been buried in Ice when
the
Egyptian pharaoh Cheops ordered the
building of his pyramid. Through his bone
structure his age was determined to be
around 47
years. "Oetzi" had his equipment
carefully laid out before his dead. A
longbow, axe and backpack lay next to him.
And those days
back they had flees too, as
two were found in his cloth. His
cause of his dead had to be established.
Through X ray, an arrowhead
was discovered in
his left shoulder, which must have led to
heavy bleeding and it is assumed, Oetzi died
within a few
minutes.
"Aha", said the prosecutor. "The man was killed by an arrow, shot from
behind. A clean cut murder!" Was he fleeing
when the arrow
struck? Did he had a fight
before as on his left hand was a cut? The
exact situation could not be established
anymore.
"Can we apprehend the murder?" Thundered then prosecutor an senile
old man. " "No Mr. Lawyer" said the
police chief. "He passed
away 5000 year ago. We have to close the murder
case of the Oetztaler alps." However there
is something weird about the Oetzi. The
guy who found him is no more. He went up one day to the location
and was not seen anymore since...
The 2 hours visit ended in
daylight and we drove onto the Autostrada
the highway southbound first, and then
eastwards and reached
the town Rimini by
10:00 Pm evening. As it is autumn, the
summer tourists have left the city, returned
home to northern Europe, to
work another
year for a 4 weeks holiday on the Adriatic
sea. In restaurants, one sees only
Italians now, there is less hectic activity
and more time to cook well. The month of
October is cooler, we too crawled deep
in to the sleeping bags for the night. The
curtains
closed.
Saturday 3-10-09
The actual reason why we turned towards
Rimini is a small enclave close by, "SAN
MARINO ancient land of liberty. "It is the
smallest
and oldest independent state in the
world. An area of 60 square kilometer. along
a mountain ridge, the Mount Titano,
750 m above
sea level. On the east side the land contours drop abruptly, on the west it slopes gentle.
The 30.000 San Marino's have their own
currency the San Marino Euro. We drove the
22 km up through olive plantations, the
olives blue and ripe, ready to be picked for
an
"Extra virgin Olive oil" sold in the
supermarkets.
Olive trees along the road east side of SAN MARINO with castle towers
The legend tells, that the
emperor Diocletian persecuted Marino, a
Christian stonecutter, and he fled into the
mountain. That was in
the 4th century. Others attracted, joint him
and soon it became a community. The
mountain was given as a present by a Roman
Patriarch lady to the bishop of Rimini.
There exists a record from the year 885,
telling of a proud life of the Titano people, which
does
not allow anybody to claim right
over them. Meaning they did
not accept any other authority, or paid any
taxes to a government.
Since that time the SAN MARINO people govern themselves by their
own laws.
Fortified Entrance to the city walls with watchtowers
In the 10th century, the people of SAN
MARINO build fortifications as seen in the
pictures. More fortifications were
build, the water
supply was secured by some
large cisterns where rainwater was collected
and stored. In the 11th century Marino
became a City-state
with consuls of its own. The increasing population felt the
need for more territory, and more land was
bought, including a castle. Over
centuries
there has been always attempts to integrate
SAN MARINO, the first already in 1296. And
they had to defend it often. Once
one
seignior Malatesa tormented and
attacked SAN MARINO for a long time.
But unfortunately this crook cheated Pope Piu II and
the relation and power
deteriorated fast. The pope upset supported
the Marino's.
two views from the castle towers
towards west
way up. notice the stone benches
wall
openings to spy and shoot out
Since 1463 the territory was not at war
again. In 1542 one Monte Sansavino tried to
invade San Marino with 500 foot soldiers,
equipped to climb the walls. "We have
ladders and ropes and hooks, this time we
loot the city and burn them out" proclaimed
Sanssavino. When sneaking up towards the
wall in the dead of night, a thick fog
crawled up and the army could not see
anymore
forcing them to retreat. After him
came others, more successful and in 1739 it
came under the most series attack of its
freedom.
It was invaded by troops of a cardinal. But
the people got help from the Pope, and
one more time Marino was free. When Napoleon
Bonaparte came to Italy and passed close to
Marina, he was impressed by the freedom
loving tradition and he declared "That we
must preserve San Marino as an example of
liberty." They went through
two world wars in strict neutrality.
Water cistern
a cannon, defending tool of freedom
The State is governed by the "Arengo", the
Assembly of the heads of families and a
parliament the " Council Great and General".
How
do they feed themselves? These days it is tourism. There is a
Torture museum, the wax- and curiosity
museum. But this is not
enough. They have to work in Italy which is "just around the corner,
but driving cars with their
own MARINO number plates. .
Please tourists spend in my shop!
a tile mosaic, the protector of San Marino
Souvenir shops line the streets, offering what is sellable including
this underwear which guarantees the ladies
favors and the "why." No
need to speak anymore. Or she, should she have sized up in years
of marriage, the loving husband could buy a
kitchen apron to be
worn by her, creating the illusion of a perfect body, at least from
the front. For only Euro 6.00.
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The SAN MARINOS know what tourists like. Best naturally was the ice
cream, home made. So tasty, that we
went twice for a reload.
However, we did not waste time on our journey, and crossed from east
Italy to west.
On route was the Gran Sasso a
Limestone massive winter and summer a tourist spot with recreational park and an
adventure
playground for children.
The Gran Sasso is the highest mountain of southern Italy. It was late when we climbed the steep
road up to 1600 m. There, several
hotels are
nested between the rocks and forests, about a 50 cars indicated that there is still
business going on. Deep below,
the Italian highway, the Autostrada, spanning valleys and cutting into mountains. Italians are master
road builders,
their products are not only functional, but also aesthetic.
Gran Sasso in the evening light
Autostrada, this is an jewel to look at
the road up. The
forest already in autumn colors
a village nesting below the cliffs
The next pictures are of an adventure park
for kids, up here on the Gran Sasso. These
words are directed to our relevant
authorities
with the question: Do you remember how many times have we tried to
implement such a park in Brunei? To no
avail. That was talking
to deaf ears. Wake up gentlemen!. How much fun would have our
children playing in such a park? Kids here
are protected by harness
and safety ropes, they cannot fall and harm themselves. Why cannot
we do the same or even better?
On top of the National park
part of the adventure park
Honorable decision makers in Brunei,
get courageous and copy. For the sake of
children fun. We can do it!
It was almost night, when we left and drove the narrow
serpentine road down to the valley again
JAMBO high up on
Gran Sasso
the last glow of the day
The Autostrada was so tempting and fast to
drive on. We hopped onto and drove into the
night, sleeping at a parking lot in our
Hotel
de la JAMBO. The last thing I remember was: "I have to wake up by
3:30. It is Sunday and Rampai pagi time."
Sunday 4-10-09
This time there was no interruption on the sat phone. I was
grateful to Telbru. Thank you once more.
Later, a cappuccino enlighten
the morning and as always, people came to look and ask about our
travel and my beloved Brunei.
"You are
from Brunei? And travel alone these routes?"
Tyrrhenian sea in the morning
It was still early and Sunday. Only a few
fishermen went out for an early catch. We
were on route to Napoli or Naples. Actually,
to a
place called Pompeii a town once buried in ashes. On 24th august 79
AD, the Pompeian's had seen the sun for the
last time. In the
early hours of the afternoon the top of the Vesuvius next by,
exploded with a frightening roar. A black
river of ash and lapilli came out
of the crater and overflow the city, leaving dead and destruction.
From the sky fell ash and rocks and covered
the city with a blanket of
grey hot material. When it ended, glorious Pompeii was buried under
7 meter of ash, with it the inhabitants.
Up till now only 1/5 th of Pompeii is unearthed, but it gives a
reasonable picture of the city and its life.
There were forums and public
buildings, temples and a large theater. Those days back in front not
far from
the city walls was already the port and sea.
Now
Pompeii lies several kilometer inland.
Although Pompeii was surrounded by an 3 km long wall and
had eight gates to protect her from enemies,
it did not help, as death
came from the sky.
In the background the Vesuvius. The tip
exploded 24 August 79 AD. That is almost
2000 years ago.
Southern wall fascia
This ash rain which suffocated the people and all living creatures
preserved the city and when dig out, city
life is exposed
2000 years later.
East west main street of Pompeii
kitchen oven (maybe nasi katok)
flour mill stones and baking oven
large
stones for pedestrian crossing a public fountain
two tiered- and two interested tourists
walls of rooms were decorated, today still
preserved
Fountain with the statue of Faun
Street drainage
in the atrium, a fountain
close up, see the fine mosaic work
Wall decorations
Floor mosaics
Hunting scene
and a "guess what?"
One of the most dramatic
examples of dead are the "fugitives". A
group which remained in the house while ash
was falling, but tried
to escape after, which was no more possible.
The impression of thirteen victims was found
in the ashes They died suffocated.
adults and children dramatic picture
a dog in his arm?
mother with child?
Life is short, often shorter
as expected. What wonder then when folks
like to enjoy it to the fullest? Today and
back then.
When we saw the crowd of tourists we
wondered. Was there an accident? A magician
performing his tricks? Free drink and meals
perhaps?
Nothing of all. These folks waited for the
entrance to the hooker house. Come on why
would one see this anyhow, what is so
special?
Opa's and Oma's even kids lured in,
keen for knowledge which might be useful in
the future.
waiting patiently
the interior of the "lust house"
From the entrance on, left and right
were rooms. Everyone was furnished with bed
in stone, on top a mattress, the
working place.
A large hole in the wall allowed to hear
what was going on in the next room. screams
of enjoyment or the curse "he does not work
again" all passed to the ears, perhaps
accelerating the ride to the finish line.
the action bed
connecting window to the next room
Now, if you dear reader are of the
conservative nature, do not look further.
However remember these pictures are a
reality of 2000
years ago. And even kids
look at them. Should you want to see a
little only, put on your sunglasses now,
because above every
entrance was a painting, telling the client what he could expect in
the room of pleasure. There was no
misunderstanding.
The beginners could learn, the Casanovas
check out, if he still misses something.
With the
thoughts that "nothing has changed since
then" we gave room for another 1100 tourists,
which had lined up awaiting the
"porn" paintings. Life is life...
But we, staying a night in the camping place next by, got
soon ready for a good sleep
Monday 5-10-09
our
fly/mosquito net
a broken highway bridge towards Bari town
Being near Naples town on this camping place, flies
were plenty. Although clean, the surrounding
roadsides were full of garbage.
Maybe they had no money to clean up, or did not care. Hence
the flies. Therefore our "invention" a
mosquitoes shelter on extendable
fishing pole came into good use. The poles are afterwards
pushed back into pipes, fixed at the roof
rack, and the net is stored.
Tuesday,6-10-09
We abandoned the visit of Sardinia island as the ferry price was
rather high, therefore our conclusion was,
to turn to east towards the
Adriatic sea and head to our second home in Austria northward, a
1500 km away crossing the peninsula
partially on small provincial
roads it took a few hours more. The Autostrada was closed due to
the sunk footing, which made the
bridge to crack.
port of Salerno
on the Adriatic sea
It
was on the way, when I heard this song
again, which made me to think. One written
in the 1960ties by Zager and Evans a duo
from
Nebraska. It was the lyric which moved me into sadness, You may
wonder if this is a love song, an euphoric
feeling about a person,
something we hear over and over again. No, this lyric
concerns itself with all of us, mankind. Our
way into the abyss.
Evans the writer had those days back a divine vision, mend as a
warning to humanity.
The song is named "In the year 2525" It opens with the words "In
the year 2525, If man is still alive, If
woman can survive. They may
find..."
The song goes through 1010 year intervals, a journey to
dehumanization and final
extinction."
"In the year 3535 you don't need to tell the truth or lies,
everything you do and say is in the pill you
get today..."
We are on the way to it. Psychedelics drugs
like the Empathogen entactogens, their usage
creates euphoria or empathy. Pills will
make us happy, brave, send us to war, make us to kill, do things
which we eventually not even remember.
Take Salvia divinorum. Complete loss of reality and our
consciousness is transferred and housed in a
pencil or a dog. You say
"impossible" But these are facts. You may say I do not take these
pills. We have no choice, you are forced, it
will come through
water we drink, food we eat. We have only the year 2009 a long
way to 2525.
The drugs are here. An elite,
the rulers will enforce it on us.
The song goes on, "in the year 4545 you would not need your eyes
would no need to chew, no body look at
you.." all feelings, all what
makes us human is no more..
1010 years later "In the year 5555,your arms hang limp, your feet
got nothing to do, some machines will do it
for you..."
In the year 6565 you gonna need no husband, no wife, you make your
son your daughter too, from the bottom of a
long glass tube .".
The song is from 1960ties, do we not have test-tube babies today,
perhaps Zombies in some secret Army
laboratories?
Then on, "in the year 7510, If GOD is coming, if he makes it by
then, maybe he will look himself around and
say: it is time for the
judgment day"
Further.
In the year 8510,GOD is gonna shake his mighty head, He either say
" I'm pleased where man has been or tear it
down and start
again ..."
and
"In the year 9595
I kind of wonder if man is still alive, he
has taken all this old earth can yield and
he has put back nothing..."
Is it not man exploit the planet by now heavily? Pollute
water and air. Take what earth can yield on
oil and minerals. Hack down
tropical forests as seen in Asia. And since the lands has been
stripped of wood and wildlife, yields not
enough profit anymore the
logging guys went to Africa, In Gabon, Congo and to the Pacific
Ocean islands, wherever there is timber
left, bribe politician for the
license, chop down and destroy, without any consciousness. Their
Greed prevails. And we? Do nothing!
The final verse is:
" Now it's been 10,000 years, Man has cried a billion tears, For
what, he never knew. Now man's reign is
through. But through eternal
night, The twinkling of starlight. So very far away, Maybe it's
only yesterday...."
A nightmarish future for man.. We are doomed after gradually
dehumanizing, caused by our all passiveness
and overdependence on
technologies. Honorable reader do not shake your head in disbelieve
now, but spend your valuable time reading
relevant literature.
And be aware what is going on around you.
The artists,
Zager and Evans
Wednesday 7-10 to 16-10-09
JAMBO feels cold. It was snowing in the Alps. Here he will remain
until our continuation in January. That is
if I will get some
sponsorship, as our travel purse is empty although sleeping mostly
in our JAMBO.
RBA unfortunately, did not sponsor us a
ticket,
they see no reason for...
Truly cold, I long for Brunei my beloved
home again
We fly back by Malaysian Airline. I first, arriving in Miri
on 20-10-2009 morning.
Harun is still fixing JAMBO springs and the power steering which is
leaking. It will come a few days later.
Please click into our site for regular updates. Thank you all and
may ALLAH bless you.
Norhayati and Harun in freezing Austria, October 2009
Brunei, November 2009
we have returned to Bandar Seri Begawan for two reasons. First, we need
visas, secondly, sponsors who are willing to
contribute.
It is astonishing how expensive an
expedition is, even, if one is sleeping in
the vehicle most of the time.
And since we received several mails asking how much such a sector
would cost a tentative traveler, we can tell
you that you have to
calculate around B$ 45.000.- to B$ 50.000.-
Dear travel
enthusiast, nothing comes cheap!
Beginning
with the Russian Visa/invitation letter from
Russia, the agent charge us B$
930.-
flight to Singapore, two nights in a cheap hotel;
B$ 780.-
The CARNET DE PASSAGE deposit Euro 5000.-
B$ 11.000.-
Issuing valid for it one year,
B$ 880.-
drive to Munich and back stay a night
B$ 450.-
Return flight to Europe for the carnet
B$ 2.100.-
Modification of roof rack, halogen lights,
fabrication of two inbuilt fuel tanks,
B$ 1.540.-
inverter for conversion from 12 V to 220 volt, GPS,maps
B$ 1.420.-
---------------
Preparation
cost
B$ 19.100.-
B$ 19.100.-
To
VLADIVOSTOK
shipping cost of JAMBO to Vladivostok
(agent in Brunei) B$ 4.900.
two person flight B$ 3.300.-
taking JAMBO out of port including all
expenses US 1700.-
B$ 2.250.-
"Under the table" US$ 300.-
B$ 450.-
Hotel 4 night
B$ 520.-
3 month car insurance for Russia
B$ 460.-
---------------
B$ 11.860.-
B$ 11.410.-
You see
honorable reader and potential overland
traveler, we have not left Vladivostok,
not even a mile driven in Russia
and spend already
B$ 30.510.-
Travel does not come cheap!
We were fortunate to have sponsorship for about B$ 33.000.-.But the
remain of these funds were exhausted, not
even half way through.
From then on we dig into our pocket, and for
our return ticket to Brunei we pay by our self.
With diesel prices in Russia around B$ 1.-/liter ( 17.000 km), and
Europe of B$ 2.-, (8.000 km) it adds up
fast.
You got to recon with tolls on highways in Germany, France, Spain,
Austria and Italy.
You need an Europe valid car insurance, which cost us for 6 month
B$ 820.-
Ferries and tunnel tolls add to your
expenses. In Europe while you travel, you
must stay in a hotel or camping ground.
Nothing comes under B$ 40.-/night.
So our costs came to B$ 57.000.-.
Think twice if you plan such a trip. It
cannot get much cheaper, as we did it.
Mind you, we had tiers donated by SIN HUP
HUAT. JAMBO was overhauled by NBT Toyota. We got
medicine for free.
That all
you have to consider too.
Finally, We have been asked
if we would like to go back to Siberia. Our
answer, "Sorry no! It was a journey in
permanent tension and
worries. No Russian smiles at you (with very few exemptions), one
feels always as an un-welcomed stranger."
BRUNEI 8-2-2010
It is the new year meanwhile. Nothing much has changed in the
world. People are born and die, greed and
power striving goes on
unabated, wars are fought and lost, money is used to speculate and
manipulate, and for many out there, GOD is
farther away than
ever.
The defense industry - as they call themselves shyly and
misleading, make money by producing ever
smarter machinery to kill fellow
man.
"Have a smoke" said for instant the drone operator to his comrade
sitting on a computer screen directing a
missile into a village in
Afghanistan.
And while he inhales, relaxed in an
air-condition bunker somewhere in the near
east, a country close to the target land,
his directed missile explodes in a house, killing all what was
there. Not all perhaps, a few cockroaches
might escape. Everyone,
including children and babies, which never had a chance to live,
are -in an instant- torn apart. These
are collateral damages, which
we regret said the press release.
Are they humans? Are they Monsters?
Now is February already! Work was to be done
here in Brunei and we had to look for sponsorship. Our Trip continuation hung in
limbo. It was a hard time indeed.
But then, motivational talks in 15 schools helped to easy our
burden. The Ministry of Education paid for,
followed by long awaited
surprises.
We were so happy when the news broke.
TOTAL these great French Multinational
provided a tidy sum again.
Yves Grosjean: "We
support Brunei spirit"
The press had keen interest
Many, many thanks TOTAL and Mr. Yves Grosjean, we will spend
your funds wisely, be
assured of that.
DST and TelBru, both great companies stepped
in too. They gave me the chance to talk to
their staff and paid me afterwards. One of
them wrote me an e-mail. "Now, I'm motivated to do more, thanks".
And Telbru lend us their Sat phone and
calling time for free.
The Islamic Bank did not stood behind.
Again as before, the Department of Tourism
is paying for the large
stickers.
Suddenly all had changed.
The Islamic bank joint in once more, thank
you, thank you so much
Saturday the 14-2-2010
And then, what was whispered became true.
The Department of Agriculture needed
promotion for their HALAL Product range and
selected our journey. We do not know anymore whom all to thank. It
just happen to us.
The very able Director Hajah Normah Suria Hayati binti PJDSMDSU
(Dr) Mohd Jamil Al-Sufri, was surely a
driving force behind.
pictures of the send off ceremony
In a Saturday afternoon send off event, with dignitaries and press
present, I was handed the flag of our
beloved Brunei by the Deputy
Minister Industry and Primary Resources, Dato Paduka Haji Hamdillah
bin Haji Abd Wahab. As our symbol, to be
raised in distant
lands, to tell about my beloved Brunei on this expedition around
the world.
One day, we will return and bring her back, where her journey will
find a place in the history books.
My devotion my efforts and the good heart of our
Malays fruited at last. Lets face it dear
reader. Where else could you get
sponsorship for such an undertaking besides maybe Malaysia which is
famous for? The
best is, that with the exemption of the
French
Multi TOTAL, which were with us right from the start, all donors were of my
race, the Malay.
Before we now dive into the adventures and happenings, my sincere
thanks to the highest leadership too. I got
a call to come to the
palace. They noticed, listen and -gave.
For this brotherly trust and support, moral
and otherwise, I thank you from my
heart here and now, assuring you, not one of your
dollars is going to waste.
INSYALLAH,
we will
complete what we had set out to achieve.
In
humble devotion Norhayati and Harun
SUNDAY 15-2-2010
With 3 suitcases checked in, we were on the
MIRI-KUALA LUMPUR-FRANKFURT flight. There was of no
event worth to report here.
MONDAY 16-2-2010
The RYAN air flight from Frankfurt to
Klagenfurt took 1 hour had cost B$ 140.- for
two pax, BUT B$ 560.- excess luggage. These
guys
allow only 15 kg and one suitcase for the cabin. Since we had
travel books, winter clothing, lab tops,
cameras and a s/s bolting
assembly for our sand ladders with us, there was no other choice
than to pay with grinding teeth.
Arriving in Klagenfurt, a cold wind was blowing The thermometer
stood at minus 8 degree, besides, around
our house was 1 ft snow,
the rooms cold. At once we fired the ovens up, but did not wait for
the warmth, rather fell tiered into the cold
bed. It was 6 pm only,
and outside pitch-dark already.
TUESDAY 16-2-2010
It was sorting and packing, which took the
whole day. Harun checked JAMBO, it seemed
all in order. The car was ready to bring us
'Around the World' . Beginning with the journey through Spain into
Morocco and Africa.
Late afternoon, we rushed to OAMTC and got an insurance for Europe
for a further month.
Now we have a few more days available, to reach Morocco. (Custom
hopefully will ignore our self given five
days extension). We will
use it to report to you dear reader about the Moorish legacy in 'Al
Andalus', once under Muslim/Arabic
domination.
Their reign, their palaces and mosques, linger in Granada, Cordoba
and elsewhere.
In Austria, ready to
go
Ice needles from thawing in sunshine and
freezing at night
Down in the valley we saw these ice needles
on the roof. Workmen on cranes trying to
hack them off, before they drop themselves.
Such a needle is sharp like a dagger and can kill a person with
ease.
WEDNESDAY 17-2-2010
on the "Autostrada" the Italian
highway
'winter fun' ,skiers on the slope
We left early morning Austria and our
mountain home towards Italy. Soon, Venice
lay behind, then Bologna, with their famous
University, and where Michelangelo worked in the 15th century too.
Climbing into the mountains on the highway
and down again,
passing Florence, on our way to the port of Livorno. We had not
enough time to explore "Firence la Bella"
the beautiful one, as the
Italians call the city. This is reserved for another day.
It was
heavy raining.
Driving into the night strained nerves and eyes. We reached the
port around 7 pm. Our ship had docked,
offloading trailers upon
trailers loaded with goods, all coming from Spain. They transport
only the trailer without the motor head.
Loading and offloading is
done by forklifts which jack the trailer and drive it in and out of
the ship. Hence there is no need to pay drivers overnights, the motor
head can be used meanwhile at the country of loading, while on the
discharge side another "head" will couple
the trailer to drive the
goods to their destination.
It is cheaper to use the ferry than to drive through France, that
is why several ferries operate between Italy
and Spain. By 1100 pm we
drove into the ships belly got our cabin, and once there, slept at
once. Where street light fell, one could see
the pouring rain.
Our ship, the "Florence" with 600
plus cabins had 4 decks and space for a few
hundred commercial trailers, campers and
motor
homes, two restaurants. now all empty, a gabling saloon where
bored travelers could loose more than only a
token, a bookshop
and two cafes. Not that much on entertaining amenities, as the
sailing time between ports is only 20
hours.
The ship's belly had swallowed
us waiting
for the cabin keys (Harun in the mirror)
THURSDAY 18-2-2010
Being still wintertime in Europe, there were no tourists on board.
By noontime I got seasick. The ship just passed a storm
zone.
Suddenly the floor was moving under my feet, so I thought. It made
me dizzy and my belly begun to revolt.
Poseidon the god of all
seas was
angry the
tiny dot in the empty restaurant is me.
This ship was rolling and my belly too. The
Mediterranean waves came from all
sides. Me,
the small and helpless creature
lying in the bed and feeling lousy. What a miserable time this was.
Harun went to the shipmaster for a medication against seasickness.
His box of pills was almost empty. Belly
trouble must be a
frequent occurrence. The pill mad me to sleep until we arrived in
Barcelona at 10:00 pm.
Driving out I felt better at once. We were on Spanish soil and
ready to go to Andalusia.
Off course we invite you to come with us!
Well, just click Spain
to follow our journey.
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