Port Kelang Storing Operations

I go to great lengths to get these photographs to you. This is the walk way from the Cruise ship Terminal at Port Kelang to the Ship.

Greetings from Arcadia - all at sea!

A very steady morning here on board with ship's business to attend to. As promised here is the storing report with pictures.

Port Kelang is not the easiest place for Arcadia to store in because of the change in the tide, we only had a 2 hour window were the gun port storing door would be above the quayside.
At 7am Arcadia was along side and the doors were open, first off was the garbage for recycling to make room inside for the stores to come on.

Bags of crushed glass to be recycled

Containers were on the quayside waiting for us, they had already been checked by customs and were ready to unload. There were 5 40ft Containers from the UK with many UK brand items that we needed to unload and reload onto Arcadia. Our passengers like these products and we can’t buy them locally, British tea and British Bacon and the sorts.

Daniel, Assistant F&B Mgr is checking the container numbers and seals before opening

Conny, Stores Manager and Carl, F&B Manager waiting for the stores to arrive

The first of the many pallets on there way by fork lift

1st Officer, Alex, Security Officer, Bob and Dan on the quayside, they have checked the first container was safe before entering Arcadia and now waiting to open the second.

Kelvyn, 1st Storekeeper and Olvyn, 2nd Storekeeper on their electronic pallet trucks

We were unable to unload the garbage and load all the stores in the 2 hour window, the tide has now dropped so low that we are no longer able to load the stores by fork lift… We still have 3 containers to load…

Not to worry, Conny and Orla have a plan!! Don't they always...............??

We call in the assistance of a mobile crane!

Crane on the quay side - you can just about see our storing door on the side of the ship!

The remaining 3 containers of stores are then craned onto the ship a pallet at a time

Jojo, 1st Storekeeper on an electric pallet truck waiting as the 2 guys receive the stores being craned on.

And if we are not working hard enough against the challenges being thrown against us… the Black clouds are looming!!

View from the ship as it is about to rain…

We have to stop storing shortly as the heavens open and Conny who is on the Quayside gets a soaking!!

Rain has stopped play, Orla on her pallet truck.

The rain finally stops and we finish storing the 90 tons of UK goods and some locally purchased items at about 4.30pm local time. Now we have the job of counting everything!! My thanks to Carl and his team for another great job - well done! I can't live without my Earl Grey Tea!!!!

Bye for now,

James.

'Every little helps'!

PORT KELANG - Malaysia

Local Flowers for Sale in quayside stalls.

Greetings from Port Kelang!

Independence Square.

An early start for us all today as ARCADIA was alongside at 0700 hours. As you know I need to be in for arrival and oversee the cruise ship's Clearance formalities and then take the Agent to have a chat with the Commodore. All very interesting as it keeps me up to date will all the goings on in the port etc. Also our priority is always to get the ship 'clear' for passengers and crew as soon as possible otherwise no one gets ashore. We were also storing five containers from the UK today and the tide levels were not ideal for us so time is crucial in these circumstances. We need the groceries! I wonder if TESCO direct deliver here?

Celebrating Chinese New Year.

I don't like early starts - I am much more of a night owl than a morning lark! However must is a great master and I have to remind myself that I am on the payroll not the passenger list! Therefore onwards and upwards with the smile on! What is unique to working at sea is that it is always a surprise to find out what you will see when you open the curtains in the morning. Have I been here before? What is the dockside like? What's that other ship that is in port? How close to the dock are we? How long have I got before I need to be in my Office?........and so it goes on. As I live on the port side I walk to my office on the starboard open deck to take in the morning view that I have missed - no traffic jams - not unless there are too many power walkers on Promenade Deck......I would not want to get in their way - all too serious for me at that time of the morning.

Hindu Deity in the Hindu Temple.

The morning was warm and sunny in Port Kelang for adventures into Kuala Lumpur.
For many people the thought of seeing one of the tallest and most magnificent buildings in the world, the Petronas Towers married along side the Colonial buildings of the British era would be a truly memorable visit. Soon our passengers were enjoying the delights of Independence Square home of the former British Government buildings before moving onto partake of some shopping in the Cultural Market. Visiting one of the Chinese Temples they could appreciate the Chinese New Year celebrations and then in contrast view the beautiful deities in one of the Hindu Temples. The Chinatown market was buzzing with activity and many passengers took the opportunity to buy a gift.

Enjoy the pictures, I have lots more of our storing programme and the Terminal which I will post soon.

Shopping at a local Market.

Must dash, tomorrow we are at sea which will be a good time for me to catch up with all that is going on around the ship. I love to walk about and hear what people have to say - passengers and Ship's Company! Some of my Colleagues decline my invitations to do walk abouts with me as they say I spend too much time talking to everybody - but that is where all the fun is...........as people like Norma who left the comment on the blog knows all too well! Thanks to Elaine and Gill for their comments and for keeping up to date with my blog. I met a couple in the terminal who are on their first cruise and they told me that it was because they had read my blog from the beginning and thought - we would like to do this so they booked Southampton to Singapore. Very rewarding!

Regards

James.

'One more step around the world we go'

Penang - Malaysia

Buddhist Temple Buddha

Greetings from Malaysia!

Welcome to Penang, the Pearl of the Orient as it was once known. Malaysia won its independence in 1957 and it is refreshing to see that many of the old Colonial buildings are still in good repair and in fact many are now under restoration. Penang’s capital is Georgetown named after King George III but the town is now unmistakably Chinese.

Arcadia’s passengers enjoyed a varied mix of tours which included visits to see the Buddhist Temple complete with its huge standing Buddha. Whilst here we were able to see monks blessing a young family. One of the most original tours is the Trishaw ride during which passengers can relive this old mode of travel whilst seeing marvellous sights such as the Khoo Kongsi Temple that dates from 1906.

Whilst on a tour of the island our passengers were enchanted by the wonderful Butterfly Farm and here they can see some of the most colourful butterflies anywhere in the world.

Enjoy the pictures!

A warm and colourful welcome for our passengers and crew. This makes you feel very special indeed!

Khoo Kongsi House in Penang.

Buddhist Monks offer a Blessing.

Arcadia at Anchor in Penang.

Trishaw Driver takes a break - fab!

Next stop Port Kelang, where we will be loading stores! Best wishes meantime, just great to be in this lovely heat and sunshine!!!

James.

'Give what you have, to someone it may be better than you dare think'.

PHUKET - Thailand

Arcadia dropping her Anchor for our first port of call in Thailand. 'Oh what a beautiful morning' .........another song coming on!! Lots of passengers went touring to James Bond Island.

Hello!

Leg 2 well underway now and we had a most successful call here in Phuket. All went smoothly and it was a very hot day. This was the first 'tender' port of the Grand Voyage where passengers and crew have to be taken ashore in our Ship's tenders (Boats). Due to commitments on board I did not get ashore but lots of the ship's company did - even if it was only for a short time they love the swimming in the sea, enjoy the Thai Food, the fabulous shopping, and naturally the heat - sea, sun and sand.............! I love the Thai people they are so peaceful and gracious - lots of smiling and bowing - they make you feel very special and welcome.

A patrol boat keeping jet skis at bay! My thanks to Simon Senior 2nd Officer for taking these photos from the Bridge! See I have lots of Blog buddies on board........

The Harbour Bay.

The Ship's tendering operation under way.


James Bond Island is where the 70’s Bond film ‘The Man With The Golden Gun’ starring Roger Moore was partly filmed. It was also in and around these islands where another Bond film was filmed starring Pierce Brosnan ‘Die Another Day’. My thanks to Graham Howell for taking these photographs for me.

Arcadia from the local beach.

A house on stilts.
Sightseeing tours.

Unique rock formations on James Bond Island.

Sally Sagoe left us today to fly home and Gary Glading joined us as Cruise Director. I will miss Sally and all the fun we have, but looking forward to sailing with Gary who is a also a multi talented and gifted Cruise Director. This is how it is when you work at sea - you are best buddies with certain people and then one day you all split up - but when you meet up again it is as if you were never apart. Shipboard Friendships are priceless and very special. One of the JOYS of working at sea.

There is an hour forward on the clocks tonight so need to get to my bed early as we are in PENANG Malaysia tomorrow morning at 0800 hours. Lots to get on with...........and finally thanks to Andrew and Tony for all your blog comments - hope you are both well and enjoying life. Say Hello to Jayne from me!

Bye for now,

James

'There's a world out here!'

HMS PORTLAND & Grand Voyage Lunch Part 2.

Good Day Everyone,

We are now in Phuket, Thailand running a Ship's boating service to the shore. Very hot - all is well.

I have finally made time to tell you about the second of our Inaugural Grand Voyage Lunch. This was held on the 20th January, but this time I will give you info about what goes on behind the scenes to a grand occasion. The Lunch was held while we were being escorted by HMS Portland through the Gulf of Aden. So the view at lunch was great watching her sail alongside.

With some help from RAF Cosford and Ministry of Defence in Whitehall, London. I am please to say that we have managed to obtain some photos that were taken by the helicopter that did a fly by in the Gulf of Aden from HMS Portland.

Both ships together and then HMS Portland turns away at speed after our safe passage through the Gulf of Aden. Arcadia steams on for Mumbai, India.

The menu was one of my favourites, Trio of Salmon, Tournedos Rossini, followed by chocolate, and my table companions where great to meet, we all enjoyed the food, wine and service. The conversation flowed on like the wine and we were last out of the Restaurant!

The Menu.

Trio of Scottish Salmon
Smoked Salmon, Poached Salmon and Warm Malt Whiskey and Honey Cured Salmon
***
Warm Pigeon Salad
Warm pigeon salad with a pear and celeriac roumlade, Champagne and truffle cream
***
Delicate Veloute of Woodland Mushroom and Yellow Pepper with Herb Oil
***
Tournedos Rossini
Pan fried medallion of beef fillet garnished with foie gras, potato rosti, seasonal vegetables and Madeira jus

Pan Fried John Dory Supreme
Pan fried john dory supreme with a lobster potato crush, asparagus spears, grape and scallop cream

Puy Lentil and Baby Spinach Tatin
garnished with a beetroot confit and glazed chestnut gravy
***
Chocolate Plate
Double dark chocolate truffle cake, cointreau and white chocolate marshmallow
Or
Plated English Cheese with a Fig Chutney and Oatcakes

The tasting table – Exec Chef Trevor, Food & Beverage Manager Carl and Premier Sous Chef Jospeh

Freshly baked bread



Deputy F&B Manger, Philippa – counting the Waiters dockets to give Chef the meal count


Premier Sous Chef Joseph and his team plating up the trio of salmon to order


Executive Chef Trevor carving the Pigeon


Tournedos Rossini, Beef Fillet sat on a Potato Rosti garnished with Foie Gras and Madeira jus





Waiters collecting the main courses


The 26th January was also another busy day for the Food and Beverage Team.. as it was also Australia day and Chinese New Year, Year of the Ox. To celebrate Chinese New Year, Our Executive Chef Trevor, devised a special menu for dinner in the Orchid Restaurant (Arcadia’s Asian fusion restaurant), this fully booked within minutes of being advertised… the whole evening was a great success, so much so that we having to repeat the menu due to demand!!


It was also Australia day… and what a party our Australian friends had.. it started in the afternoon around the Aquarius bar and pool and continued on in a fully decorated Rising Sun with pub night entertainment. On board Arcadia there is always lots going on - and for those who wish to do nothing there is always plenty of space to do that also - the choice is yours. Many simply chooses to retreat to one of our 695 spacious private balconies...........



My thanks to John Heald who has featured my interview on his Carnival Cruises Blog - so if you wish to know more about me then read the Interview on John Heald's Blog. This will give you a background as to how I got to where I am now!

You can use the links provided on this blog or go to -

http://www.johnhealdsblog.com/

or

http://www.bestblogsatsea.com/

Happy reading, happy blogging.............

Best wishes
James.


'The Princes among us as those who forget themselves and serve mankind'
Woodrow Wilson

Mumbai Picture Gallery

The Doorman of the Taj Hotel welcomes us to the City of Mumbai.

Good Day Everyone,

Happy Australia Day and Happy Chinese New Year! This is to be my year - the Year of the Ox! I am invited to dinner in The Orchid Restaurant this evening and I have to wear something Red!

We are now on our third day at sea and third of the way across the Bay of Bengal. This is the sea that separates India from Thailand. The outside temperature is 27.5 / 81 degrees. Visibility is very good. Seas are calm.

A Coffee Bar!

The Local Traffic - you feel the same excitement as if you were on the Dodge'm Cars!

Lots of action on the Quayside.

Paul, Chris and Marion outside the Restaurant.

The Mumbai Cruise Terminal.

City Centre Taxi Rank

Marion negotiates the fare!

Even though I started work early and finished late - I managed a 'run ashore' for a local lunch and sightseeing makes it all worth while. 25 years since I last visited Mumbai. (formerly Bombay)

The Local harbour area adjacent to the ship.

Passengers and crew line the rails as Arcadia prepares to depart Mumbai.

The Road out and the port boundary wall.

Always like to have helicopter on standby. This is an Indian Aircraft Carrier and is an ex RN one which was called the Vikkrant.

Always activity on the dock.

The unique Gangway probably used by 1000's of P&O Cruises passengers over the years on their passage to India.

Dhobi Ghat - the street laundry. I suspect this is the largest above ground laundries in the world with a personal door to door service.

Jain Temple Elephant.

The Jain religion who believe in not killing anything at all - from a spider to a goat - and will eat nothing that grows under the ground!

The Prince of Wales Museum - classic British architecture from the days of Raj.

The World Famous Taj Hotel. This old part is still being worked on following the terrorist attack. However the new Taj Tower to the right of the old Hotel is now fully operational. Some of our passengers who left at Mumbai were staying there.

I do hope you enjoy these photographs. Mumbia is somewhere very special, it is heaving with people, rich and poor, but they all seem so happy! Like proper Indian Food the City is hot and spicy, vibrant and so much to look at and absorb. It is like no where else in the world, it is truly unique.

Have a great week, wherever it may take you!

James

' I have learned that you can get by on charm for about fifteen Minutes. After that, you'd better know something!'