Day eight on the Ka’imimoana and we left the equator around noon. Sunrise and sunset is almost twelve hours exact take a few minutes. After buoy ops, the survey department dropped an AOML ARGO in the water. The web site that explains is at; http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/phod/argo/index.php. It was also a photo op for the two Teachers at Sea educators we have on board from Billings, Montana. Afterwards we sailed further south that officially put us in summer! As if from Hawaii to Tonga you can tell the difference! Now if I was going from Seattle to Auckland, yes you can tell the difference. But reverse in June. Winter time in Samoa is rain and occasional “cyclones.”
I talked to the XO and asked that I obtain a tourist visa after arriving in Samoa. Two years ago, I was issued a “Mariners” visa which is good for four days. There was some misunderstanding and the port agent said the visa I was issued was good for visiting since I was leaving two weeks later. As I left the airport in Apia, I was caught at the outgoing visa desk and was told I “overstayed.” They were going to fine me one hundred tala and list me as staying beyond allotted time. I asked if this would jeopardize my return to Samoa and the immigration officer asked why I was returning. I explained that my wife is Samoan and I was living with her and her family while in Samoa. At this time “L” intervened and things were much smoother in Samoan. I was given a free pass this time but was told I was eligible for special benefits in Samoa for being married to a Samoan national. When I returned last May, there were no troubles entering Samoa.
To describe the title heading as a “Day in the Life” would not induce too much excitement at the moment. Working on network accreditation and then putting out fires that occur as time goes along is about a day in the life consists of. The blog plays a part in making time go by. I did make a video with a song in the background using some photos of “L” and me the past seven years. The song, Tracy Chapman’s The Promise, fits perfectly with the collage of photos depicting the lyrics. If you have Facebook, and have access to my profile, you could see it. It is titled “Through the Years.” My first attempt at making a video and collecting photos and transferring it to a memory stick took longer than editing. After importing the files, I completed the video in ten minutes! I would likely never be able to do it again or duplicate such a feat in a short time. Last year on the Hi’ialakai, I found an animated video created by the previous ship’s doc and a junior officer illustrating construction to daily boat launches and recovery in a matter of fifteen to twenty seconds. I set the music to Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries and the tempo fitted well with the music. That took a little more than ten minutes to edit though. I had fun and only one crew member seen it. I have a bad habit of hiding or not disseminating my accomplishments.
Good night from below the equator. We should be in near Samoa by next week this time. I am looking forward to the visit and even though “L: will not be there, I know they will make it hard to leave again next month.
No comments:
Post a Comment