June 12, 2024
Ship Update #3 ?
These are the rudders on the ship. They are on the ship aft (backend), behind the propellers and they are responsible for the ship steering. The rudder stock we are awaiting are 2 custom made solid shaft, weighing 2 Tons each, and they fit inside the rudders and are connected via large bolts, in the 2 holes seen here. This retrofit is what's holding us up from leaving dry dock and sailing. This afternoon, we were told our best case of completing dry dock is 6/20 with a strong likelihood of sailing by 6/25. We were given tons of options, but basically have to amuse ourselves till 6/20 most likely 6/24. So, I am flying tomorrow afternoon from Gran Canary to Lisbon and then on to Hamburg, Germany to meet up and stay with my friend Tom Powl. We were supposed to catch up on the original itinerary and have at least a week together and we were both disappointed when that changed. So now we are seizing the opportunity to do it!
Just the other day a friend asked me if I got enough down time while living this lifestyle. My answer was "you have to make it !" In the beginning, it was go, go, go, every port. We had lots of FOMO ( fear of missing out ) and we tried to cram in as much as possible at every port. Sea days, were our only down time and there were never enough. It was a tad exhausting. Now two years into this life, I can say there are some ports that just don't call me and I opt to get other things done. Kuantan, Malaysia was one of the Ports. I never got off the ship, either day we were here. I intended to this morning, but we had storms with loud thunder late into the night and then was awoken by a crew alarm around 6:45am. My energy was low, there were shuttle issues, town was an hour ride away and there is alot of air pollution, ( due to neighboring Indonesia burning organic materials, in preparation for the upcoming monsoon season ). So I bagged my plans and continued working on my never ending TO DO LIST!
During our two years of sailing we have had several Shipmates come and go for a variety of reasons. Their health, has sadly been the reason for many departures. Cindy Harvey , would have loved to have lived out her days here on the Odyssey and even bought a second cabin and had an adjoining door added, to have a care provider, stay with her full time. However, Cindy's limited mobility, pain and confinement got to be too much - so she left us a few months ago. She went to an assisted living facility, on the coast of Oregon, to be near her family. Tragically she fell, was trying to recover, slipped into a coma and sadly passed away this week.
The Sanctuary of Truth Museum is the world's largest hand carved wooden castle, located on the coast of Pattaya, Chonburi Province, Thailand . Conceived in 1981 by Thai visionary Khun Lek Viriyaphun the structure is built entirely from 4 types of wood - Teak, Mai Daeng, Mai Takien & Mai Panchaat and put together using Thai nailless wood joinery - mainly dovetails, carrying poles and tongue & groove. We started the tour in the workshop where the artisan, mainly woman, were hard at work. Since conception, the Museum has been an active construction site, thus we all wore hardhats! The artisans continue handcarving sculptures and columns, daily and will most likely continue for years to come.