Overland Hong Kong has moved!

For all stories related to my container trip - and for more adventurous tales, head on over to Leaving Cairo  See you there!

Rounding off the trip nicely - and women on ships are NOT a bad thing!

Yes, I'm back in Athens now after my summer of fun...ready to face a new round of challenges.

To round the trip off nicely, yesterday (30AUG) the ship arrived back in Athens as well!  I had been staying in regular email contact with the Chief Officer, (remember my avuncular figure who looked after me?) and we arranged to meet in Athens.

Stepping off the Metro in Piraeus, there he was, waiting for me amongst the crowds, looking a little lost (well, when you've spent days at sea and then are faced with mass crowds ashore, I thing you would too).

"When do you have to be back tot he ship?"
"Oh, not until 8pm.  I trust you - you are my guide today.  And you are my niece so I will pay"

Nice to see my 'adopted uncle' again

(Ha!  Maybe I should take him shopping then?!)

And so we headed back into the centre...it's only about 25 mins by Metro from Piraeus to the Acropolis. 

Wandering around the Acropolis

Waiting for the coffee

I introduced him to Cafe Freddo, we wandered around the foot of the Acropolis, we sat (at the Chief's request), at another cafe for another Freddo (iced coffee) and a Mojito (for Chief too!), wandered some more and then rounded off the day with some souvlaki in a traditional Greek place (not frequented by tourists) before he headed off into the sunset back to the MV Hanjin Boston.

It was lovely to see him again - and I know we'll be staying in touch...I've already half jokingly told him if they need a Secretary on the ship for all the massive amounts of paperwork the Captain and Chief has to do, I'm their woman.  He has semi-seriously said he'll discuss the matter and see who he and the Captain need to talk to.

Interestingly, he says that to have a couple of women on board the ship - whether Captain's wife or girlfriend of a crew member, or passenger - really balances the ship's atmosphere nicely...it makes it a 'softer' environment to work in.  So you see?  It doesn't have to be a negative to have a female on board.

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I really hope to be able to go on a similar trip again one day - maybe even work on board a ship.  I hope you've enjoyed my posts about my experience. I'm back blogging at my usual site now - Leaving Cairo - where you'll get Author & Expat interviews & Guest posts, as well as updates about life and culture in Greece.

See you over there soon!

Bex

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A cabin of a different sort

And so my journey came to an end when I touched down at LHR airport.  What took me five weeks in a container ship with beautiful views took me twenty hours in a steel tube!

Hong Kong Airport

I flew with  Aeroflot and as you know, initially I was quite nervous about this.  But no need!  The journey was very comfortable, an Airbus 330 from Hong Kong to Moscow, and then Moscow to London.  Food good, over 40 movies to choose from and with your own TV, I'd highly recommend them.  The only hiccup was at the Transit Desk in Moscow airport: only two members of staff on duty in a small area for over 100 people trying to rush to their next flight.  Yes, a lot of pushing and shoving, but once that was over and done with the airport was clean, well signposted and guess what?  The sun was shining!

I reached Heathrow and was exhausted.  In total I'd been awake for approx. 20 hours ( I don't sleep well on planes ) and was desperate to get to my Yotel cabin.  Instead of booking a hotel for the night at LHR, I took the cheaper (and more fun) alternative.
Ever heard of the Japanese style sleeping capsules/pods?

Source: www.travelwithcj.com

Well, I'd always wanted to try one and Yotel offer an upmarket version of this.
The concept is simple: "...the luxury of airline travel and a touch of Japanese influence into a small but luxurious cabin" as Yotel founder Simon Woodroffe, OBE states (Source).

And what an experience!  I had a Premium double cabin with a sofa bed that at the press of a button converts to a double bed. 

At only 110sft en-suite, it's pretty 'cosy' but oh so comfortable!  Free Wi-fi, flat screen TV and 'monsoon' shower room, I freshened up with the products from my pack given to me before calling Reception / Mission Control to order some food (available 24/7).

And my trusty Samsonite travel bags that helped me with my journey

Boy did I sleep well.

Yotel's located Landside in Terminal 4, LHR and also London Gatwick and Amsterdam Schipol airport as well as a newly opened Yotel in New York City.  I'd love to stay there if I ever get to go over: located at 570 Tenth St (West 42nd Street),  at 7,000sqft it boasts the largest outdoor hotel terrace in NYC.

So if you ever need an overnight at any of the above locations and are looking for an affordable option, different from a hotel, don't hesitate to book Yotel.  You can book them on an hourly basis, minimum four hours stay, making it perfect for a few hours rest before or after a flight.  Example rates:

Standard Single Cabin (same facilities as a Premium, but single 'cabin' style bed built into the wall) for a four hour stay at LHR's Yotel: £32.00 inc. tax

Premium Double Cabin (such as I stayed in) for a four hour stay at LHR's Yotel: £46.50 inc. tax.

I'll be using them again if I ever need to.  Thanks for such a great, comfortable stay!
And so now back to the delights of the UK before flying back to Greece.  It's been one hell of a trip - unforgettable.

A few days in Hong Kong

This'll be my ninth day in Hong Kong now.  I've seen a fair bit: been to Stanley Markets on a Big Bus Tour, crossed the harbour on the Star Ferry and taken in the light show at night.

Star Ferry

I've met up with friends of friends of friends (the social network is great isn't  it?) who've shown me around: eaten Dim Sim, been to Cheung Chau and finished the day eating Thai in Kowloon.  I've even had high tea at the Peninsula Hotel.

It's been an interesting time, but I have to be completely honest: Hong Kong is not the city for me.  I've looked around, I've had some great foot massages at great prices but I find it too claustrophobic.  I guess going from being surrounded by nothing but sea for five weeks, it's something of a culture shock!

Temple - Cheung Chau

I know I keep exalting Greece and Athens, but it's a city where I find people speak to you on public transport, where I can sit in an old coffee house for hours on end if I like.  It's a city with amazing architecture.  But then again, it's not fair to compare Athens with Hong Kong, or Europe with Asia - they're so different.

Hong Kong at night

So thank you for hosting me Hong Kong - it's certainly been interesting.  I fly back to the UK on Thursday 8th...another culture shock?

In the meantime, the Chief Officer of the ship has emailed me to tell me that when they get back to Singapore, they have another passenger joining: a 74 yr old Australian travel writer.  So you see, interesting people do join container ships!

For more info on what to do in Hong Kong from a better source, look at Tim Ferriss's article Cheap travel in Paris, New York & Hong Kong.  He certainly gave me some pointers.

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So why do we need Security on board the ship?

I held off writing a full post about this as I wanted to check it was OK to say some things.  It's not a big secret - so I can share some things with you.  I alluded to it in this post, but will write in full here.

A journal entry from Hong Kong

I was just about to write in my journal when I decided "Why not write my entry here and share it with you fine people?"

OK then -- what have I been up to on my second day in Hong Kong:

Made it to Hong Kong

And so this brave girl made it!  My final destination on this grand voyage is Hong Kong, and the ship arrived at approx. 07:30 this  morning (30JUL).

What a voyage! I feel like I have an extended family...in fact I felt quite tearful saying goodbye...after all, one month on board and a strong bond was formed.   Chief Officer really took me under his wing...we explored Singapore together, he became like an Uncle to me.  Oh, and he was very happy that I told him his English was good (he's Polish).  I was just being honest Chief.

And now for a nine day adventure in Hong Kong.  It feels a little overwhelming at the moment...going from peace and quiet to rush rush, lots of people and so much noise!

Keep you all posted.  Meanwhile, enjoy some pics taken on arrival by ship this morning:

From the Star Ferry

Gorgeous sunset the night before arrival

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Through Suez to Singapore

Yes, I made it!  15 days straight at sea with no access to the outside world: just seeing sunrise, sunset and dolphins playing.  Did you know, if you clap your hands the dolphins in the wild will show off and perform for you?  I am not kidding.

So going through Suez was interesting: hot, the Pilot on the bridge had his classical music blaring out and it was, altogether, a little surreal.

And our Security team that joined from Suez all were with us through the pirate area of Somalia and the Yemen were Britain's finest (and South African) - pure gentlemen...so my pre-conceived notions they'd be gung ho were unfounded.

Suez Mosque

I've lost badly in the Table Tennis tournament, and had fun in the BBQ.

Table tennis tournament - in which I lost

Everyone enjoying themselves at the BBQ

Anyway, this is just a quick one to let you know I'm OK and about to go ashore with my adopted uncle, the Chief Mate. 

Speak to you all in HKG  in another week's time!

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Where do we live on a container ship?

**Note: Due to limited internet where I'm currently located (Suez Canal), I am using a Dongle and it takes an age to upload photos, plus it's not my Dongle/Modem, it's Cook's and I don't want to use all his credit.  So for photos, I have put links to past posts...will update with more photos when better internet access.  Hope you all understand***

I’ve realized that, whilst I’ve been posting about Valencia, Genoa and nice places visited, I haven’t made it very clear where we actually live, nor the name of my ship.  Well, I included a video with my first emotions post about my cabin and what it’s like and also the Galley (kitchen) and Messroom (dining room). But where are these places located?

               My ship is called the Hanjin Boston and was booked through The Cruise People in London (they also have offices in Toronto).  Googling "agents for container ship voyages" should also bring up agents in your local area.

Unlike a long distance ferry or cruise ship  – where the accommodation is located across the whole length of the ship on many different levels,  on a container ship you’ll find the living quarters – or ship’s accommodation – is just in one segment, rising like a block of flats on about eight levels.  See my What's in the Containers... post for a ship picture - the white place near the rear (aft/stern) is where we live.

It’s still spacious, but has to be this way as obviously the containers have to fit on board, so these go on the bow (front) and stern (back) of the vessel.

Does this make me feel claustrophobic?  Well no, as you’ve seen from my what to do on a container ship post, there’s plenty to do and in fact, it’s possible to walk to the bow of the ship and sit quietly in the Castle to read.

So don’t be put off and think that you’ll be boxed in…there’s nothing like being at sea with a bunch of good, honest, hardworking seafarers with hearty seafaring food to eat and people who view you as their big sister and do anything they can for you.

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"What's in the containers, Captain?"

I’m sure you’re all dying to know what a ship of this size carries from/to Asia. 

So was I, hence my question posed to the Captain one evening at dinner.

Valencia

I wrote a post about the downside of container ship travel and mentioned that you’re not necessarily guaranteed a long time in port, indeed…even if it’s possible to go ashore.  This was the situation I found myself in Barcelona.

But it was made up for in Valencia. 

We arrived around 08:00 on 02JUL13 and after the agent had been on board, spoken to the Captain and I had ‘clearance’ to go ashore (ie: checked my passport but as I’m British and am travelling within Europe, I don’t need a visa), I caught the bus from the ship to the main gate where the agent had called a taxi to take me into town.

And lo and behold, I met two other passengers: George a Frenchman and Annabel, an English lady living in France who had arrived on another container ship!  So you see, other people do travel by this mode of transport.  Admittedly they were somewhat older than I.  Whilst waiting for our taxis we swapped stories:  they’d joined their ship in Malta and were just having two weeks aboard around the Med.  Annabel asked me:

“How will you cope with 37 days?!” 

In all honesty, I don’t know.  I just know that so far, when at sea I take each day as it comes…there’s no point in stressing – just read, swim, write & sleep…play table tennis, eat and chat to the crew.  Maybe by Day 36 I’ll be glad the trip’s coming to an end, but let’s see.

A downside of travelling by container ship

So far I’ve enjoyed it.  30^th June 2013 marked my first week on board and when at sea I’ve: swam in the pool, endured Barry Manilow love songs in karaoke and hung out with the Philippeno crew, watched many sunsets from the Bridge, always get excited to see a Pilot board and exit the ship – James Bond style – and have just started to play table tennis…I’m getting quite good.  Now we have a new Captain and Chief Engineer, they’re both very talkative and lunch & dinner times are interesting.  My last post talked about how the Captain is very internationally minded and believes in keeping the crew happy – “A happy crew means a happier place to work and live, and the job gets done better.”

 **I wish more employers thought like him**

                But there is a downside, as I’ve discovered in Barcelona:  My Genoa post talks about how lucky I was in Italy as the container terminal was, at maximum, a 45 minute walk from the town, both in Genoa & La Spezia.                       

A new Captain & Chief Engineer

“The new Captain’s lovely!”  This was the mantra that was running around the ship like Chinese whispers for the last two days or so.  A new Captain joined us in Genoa and I had been hearing so much about him from the crew and senior officers beforehand that I wondered if this poor man would be able to live up to the expectations the crew had put on him…he was already on a huge pedestal.   How do they know he’s lovely?  He hasn’t even joined the ship yet.  It turns out crew have a rotation, and he’d been on this ship previously.

                I’ve already established that the crew are lovely.  The Cook, especially, has taken to preparing me little surprises like Ginger tea when he heard me sniffling a lot.  Thinking I was going to come down with a cold, he prepared a pot for me.  I didn’t have the heart to tell him that it was just me adjusting to the A/C on board and not a cold. He also makes me extra creamy oatmeal/porridge in the mornings.

Genoa

We arrived & berthed (pulled alongside the dock) in Genoa on 28^th June at about 14:30.  “Wait for me” says the agent, “I’ll show you how to get into town.” 

                Usually container terminals are located quite far from the city of arrival, but so far I’ve been lucky: in La Spezia (Italy) it was a 40 minute walk into town.  Genoa is roughly the same: located across the harbour from the cruise terminal, it took me about 45 mins to walk around the harbour to the marina.  “I would give you a lift on my bike, but I ‘ave no spare ‘elmet” says the friendly agent.  Oh well, at least he helped me off the ship and showed me where to go.  They all seem to relish the opportunity to be gentlemanly, but this is Italy, after all.

                After a meal of salmon pasta, in which I think I disgusted the waiter -“You want parmesano cheese with fish?” he shrugged- I walked further, intending to visit the big aquarium.  Yet as it was a beautiful day, why not be a tourist?  And so I took a little red tourist train, 45 minutes around the city. The birthplace of Christopher Colombus is truly beautiful. 

                And so after stocking up on chocolate bars from the supermarket, I made my way back to the ship…I wanted to get there before it got dark: I wouldn’t suggest a lone woman walks around a cargo terminal after dark, no matter how near the city.  But I needn’t have worried:                “Maam!” exclaimed the crew member on Security watch (I feel like I’m being addressed by my pupils) “the other crew are on shore, checking their emails and are looking out for you.”   Most container ports have a seafarer’s area where crew go to check emails, SKYPE back home, have a drink, etc.  It seems I have guardians without knowing it.  And I’m also allowed to use these “Seafarer’s Clubs.”

                We finally left Genoa later than anticipated on 29^th June.  You’ll have gathered by now my awe at seeing the pilotsboard and exit the ship. and I hope you’ll also share in my awe here. 

Onwards to Barcelona now!

First day at sea

I’m writing this on the deck of the ship, just outside my cabin.  

Sunrise

                This is the second full day at sea.  We left Athens at 01:30am on the morning of Monday, 24^th June.  I slept really well that night and rose early to watch the sun rise    I’ve been up onto the Bridge(where the ship is steered) frequently and met the Chief Officer (who I’ve previously mentioned), the 2^nd and 3^rd mate, both Philippino’s.  All are friendly, make me cups of tea when I’m up there, let me use the binoculars to look around, etc.  There are some fantastic views up here.

What to do on a container ship

You must be wondering what there is to do on a container ship.   Well, so far I’ve not been bored.  I’ve spent a lot of my time on the Bridge, watching sunrise and sunset, plus moonrise.  

And to be honest, I think the crew like someone different to speak to.  It’s interesting to hear their stories about where they’ve been in the world, about their countries and have navigational terms explained to me.  

Joining the ship - first emotions

Hi everyone!  I'm posting this in La Spezia, Italy after about 4 days at sea.  Thought I'd share with you my journey from the beginning.

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A very emotional day today.  It was the day it hit me that I’m going to be on a container ship, for approx. 1.5 months, travelling to Hong Kong!

                Joining the ship was easy.  I made my way to the Cruise Terminal in Piraeus, the port of Athens and there the agent for this particular cargo line met me.  He took care of all my paperwork with the authorities.  I was lucky enough to also meet the new Polish Chief Officer who joined the ship with me.  He’d been on this ship before and was coming back from his leave.  I immediately warmed to his avuncular nature:  kind eyes with a weary, yet friendly demeanor, he assured me that any questions I had, he’d be more than happy to answer them.  “Don’t think any question is silly.”  Ahh, that’s re-assuring.

What to pack for the trip

I was getting stressed because I didn't know what to pack for my trip.  I mean, it’s not as if I’m going on a cruise ship where people get dressed to the nines every evening, yet I’m also not going to be down and dirty with the containers (at least, I HOPE not!)  So I need to strike a balance: smartish wear for meals in the Officer’s Mess, yet comfortable and sensible seaworthy clothes & shoes, especially for walking around in ports of call and on deck. 

Full moon sailing day

Source: Google Images

Sunday, 23rd June 2013 will apparently be the brightest, biggest full moon of the year!

And guess where Bex will be?  That's right!  Hopefully the ship will have set sail already.  If not, I'll be in port at Piraeus and still get to see it from the deck.

The nearer the Equator I get, the less twilight there will be.  I'm not crossing the equator, only just.  I shall be skirting pretty near it though.
All that's left for me to do is get packing, which I think I will leave until Saturday.  As I will have a whole new home for 37 days, I might as well just throw everything into a bag - a glimpse into how Bex organises her travelling!

Remember: keep your eyes peeled for more updates as the day approaches, and, of course, when I'm under way.

Not entirely alone?

It appears I won't necessarily be alone on this trip!  I received word from my agent this morning:

"When [Bex] embarks [in Piraeus] she will be on board with another young lady passenger until La Spezia.  From La Spezia onwards she will be alone so far."

You'll have seen from my previous post my itinerary that shows La Spezia is in Italy and is the next port of call (get me with all my naval terminology!), so I have two days to chat to another 'young lady' and see the how's, why's, etc and interview her.

You'll note the end of the comment "...so far."  There is, then, the possibility others might be joining the ship too. 

So you see?  Container ship travel is doable!  Keep tuning in and I'll be bringing you more.

Six days to go - and problems already?

I had a bit of a fright today - but then again, this IS Greece, and as much as I enjoy living here, I shouldn't be surprised.  Let me explain:

"Contact the cargo terminal no more than 7 days before departure to check the exact arrival/departure of the ship" I am informed by my agents in the UK.  And so today, approx. six days before departure, I call the terminal in Piraeus.

I should learn not to be so British - you'd have thought I'd have learnt after four and a bit years in Greece.

The first bit is easy.  I am told by a nice man that the ship arrives on 23rd June and leaves very early morning 24th June.  As I'd been given the Internet site for tracking this, I knew this already.
"Just give the men at the security gate a ring to let them know you'll be boarding" says the nice man.

So I do.  And this is where the 'problems' start.

"This is not a cruise ship.  You cannot just turn up and expect to get on" the man shouts at me.  'Shouts' did I say?  In retrospect, maybe he was just at normal Grecian pitch.

"I have a booking" I patiently explain, lowering my voice, hoping he'll lower his.  Er, no...this merely serves to increase his shouting.

"Listen to me, kyria [lady].  You have to contact the agent and we have to get papers stamped to approve you.  You cannot just turn up at the security gate, expecting to get on a ship."

I was in the middle of telling him that I was told to call him when I heard the distinct click of the phone being replaced.  Hmm, OK, time for Bex to get 'efficient' (think no more lowered voices from me).

After a phone call to my agent in London, she kindly sorts it within an hour.  I, in the meantime, had been given the wrong agent's details in Athens, yet was liaising with a VERY nice man, a Mr. Klimis who spoke in a calm manner and even teased me good-naturedly about my efforts to speak Greek. 
Once we established (after about an hour) he was the wrong shipping agent, he even wished me a nice day and gave me the correct agent's details, plus the name of who to speak to.

Upon phoning the correct agent, the man there was equally as nice. 
"We can come and collect you from the airport Kyria, take you directly to the ship."

"I live in Athens.  Can you come to my home instead?"

"Ah no, I thought you come through airport.  So, you must clear Immigration first as no immigration at cargo port.  Call again later this week - more likely we will arrange to meet you at the cruise terminal where you will clear immigration and then we take you to ship.  OK?"

Yes, this was OK thank you very much as both the wrong and the right agent were very nice!

"Will you help me through the security?" I hesitantly asked.

"Yes, don't you worry Kirya, we will help you. Call later in the week, it's too early at the moment" (I mentioned I'm so British sometimes).

So now I am becoming somewhat excited!  Here's a little video I made so you can see and hear the Face of Bex ...also good practise for my video camera.  You'll notice that I'm not very good at making such films, so please cut me some slack!

Stay tuned all.

Seven and a bit days before departure!

My Big Adventure, as it's now referred to, is fast approaching.  The times and days have changed slightly.  See below for my new schedule. 

Counting down the days

I'm starting to feel slightly nervous now.  Before I was busy with work so didn't have time to think.  Now we've broken up for the summer, I've been busy running around making my final arrangement and buying suntan cream, making sure my video camera works & ensuring I have PLENTY of reading material on my Kindle.

I'm also hoping to get my book finished, finally!  I figured I'd use this quality time with nature to be inspired to write and finalise my first novel.

But there's also excitement mixed in with the nerves.  It sure is a different way to travel, and one that I'm looking forward to, being a lover of the sea.  I was told by a friend that I might have the opportuntiy to see blue whales in the Indian Ocean!  Here's hoping. 
In fact, being such a different way for a passenger to travel has piqued the interest of NPR (National Public Radio) in the U.S and they hope to interview me and feature a before, during and after piece, as does the Daily Telegraph in the UK want to feature a travel piece.
Fame at last for Bex?  Let's see.

Keep an eye on my blog. I'll be posting here before I leave on 23rd June, and whenever I can get internet access (sadly not on the ship, but I'm bound to get it in ports).

Until then - yasas!

                                                                                                               Arrive                Depart

PIRAEUS	PCT SA	2013-06-23 05:00		2013-06-23 23:00
LA SPEZIA	LA SPEZIA CONTAINER TERMINAL SPA	2013-06-26 06:00		2013-06-27 08:00
GENOA	TERMINAL CONTENITORI PORTO DI GENOVA SPA	2013-06-27 13:00		2013-06-28 18:00
BARCELONA	BEST (BARCELONA EUROPE SUD TERMINAL)	2013-06-29 13:00		2013-06-30 08:00
VALENCIA	NOATUM PORTS VALENCIANA S.A.	2013-06-30 19:00		2013-07-01 16:00
PIRAEUS	PCT SA	2013-07-05 06:00		2013-07-06 07:00
SUEZ (EL SUWEIS)	SUEZ CANAL	2013-07-08 18:00		2013-07-09 18:00
SINGAPORE	PSA CORPORATION LIMITED	2013-07-24 07:00		2013-07-25 03:00
HONGKONG	COSCO-HIT TERMINAL	2013-07-30 00:00		2013-07-30 20:00

Each dawn is a new beginning...

Who doesn't like a sunrise?  And when I last travelled by container ship across the Atlantic, I certainly got my fair share of those!

Well, as we all know...I'll be heading off into the sunrise again - in roughly two weeks in fact.  And if my Atlantic trip was anything to go by, I'll be sure to see plenty of these:



Sunrise

Sunset from the Bridge

I've posted my route here - if anyone's going to be in: La Spezia (Italy), Genoa (Italy), Valencia & Barcelona (Spain), Singapore and, of course, Hong Kong on the dates specified, do please get in touch for a coffee / to show me the sites!
Unfortuntely I won't have internet access on the ship - only on shore...so the sooner the better!

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What to pack for a container ship voyage?

I just don't know!  I've been advised to pack sensible shoes - I'm not naive enough to wobble around on platforms on the Bridge or deck: trainers, sensible slip ons with a good grip, yes.

But I'm not going on an average cruise: I am very well aware that I may be the only passenger and whilst there's a swimming pool on board, let's face it - as I'll more than likely be the only female, I really do not think I should be parading around in a bikini!

So, in an attempt to resolve this dilemma, I bought myself a one piece with a skirt - as I thought the skirt might hide even more. 

But I'm wondering if the very fact I am trying too hard to be 'demure' might have an adverse effect?!

One of my Twitter followers Matt Clarke suggested a Onesie - ha!  He also told me to just 'be myself'...I think this is the best advise so far.
I think I will seek the advise of Travel Fashion Girl.  She specialises on travel packing, and my article about What to pack for a trip to Greece was featured on her site.
Anyone else have any tips?  Otherwise I'm going for three-quarter length shorts, my baseball cap/sunhat, t-shirts/vest tops and things to also keep me warm at night on deck. 

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Many people are supportive of this grand adventure of mine:  Author Nene Davies sent me this little ecard today as she said it reminded her of my impending voyage.

Pic by Ken Done

Any advice will be greatly received :0)

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Beware the Pirates - and yellow fever

Somehow I don't think it's this pirate I need to worry about
Source: http://depositphotos.com/1034641/stock-illustration-Pirate-attack.html

It's all becoming rather real now...I have just received a Declaration I need to sign.  Here's the outline of it: