Phuket
We were met by the Royal Thai Navy off Phuket.Thai naval officers boarded and help guided our ship alongside the jetty with the assistance of a tug boat. The jetty was small and look neglected and damaged. The place doesn’t look like a naval base, rather a smaller fishing village.
We were met by the Royal Thai Navy off Phuket.Thai naval officers boarded and help guided our ship alongside the jetty with the assistance of a tug boat. The jetty was small and look neglected and damaged. The place doesn’t look like a naval base, rather a smaller fishing village.
Painting the shipside
As usual, they were always duties and training planned for the midshipman. One of the major jobs here was painting the shipside. This was quite dangerous and tedious. We had to use the bosun ladder, lowered from the main deck, with long pole and brush, paint the side of the ship with navy grey. I didn’t have to do it as I was assigned other duties. But there were plenty of chores as we were preparing the ship to return to Singapore in shipshape condition.
As usual, they were always duties and training planned for the midshipman. One of the major jobs here was painting the shipside. This was quite dangerous and tedious. We had to use the bosun ladder, lowered from the main deck, with long pole and brush, paint the side of the ship with navy grey. I didn’t have to do it as I was assigned other duties. But there were plenty of chores as we were preparing the ship to return to Singapore in shipshape condition.
Going Ashore
We took the local cab to town. As usual, we bought some souveniors. I was with an avid photographer and we went sightseeing in the island. Not much to see other than some temple and a panoramic view of Phuket from the hill top.
We took the local cab to town. As usual, we bought some souveniors. I was with an avid photographer and we went sightseeing in the island. Not much to see other than some temple and a panoramic view of Phuket from the hill top.
The night scene
Inche Wee, our fatherly officer who had been with us for 1 year now insist he wanted to show us around and see the ‘must see’. He rounded up about 10 of us, less all the ‘holy’ guys. He took us to a bar. It was dimly lighted and was crowded guests and many young hostesses. We took our seats and ordered beers. In the centre of the bar, was a stage. On the stage were many young girls, skimpily dress dancing around vertical poles. Late into the night, there was the famous “tiger show”. It was one hell of a captivating scene for most of us. We were bewildered, excited, confused and even enlightened. It was also quite a dilemma for some of us as we wondered whether we should be in such place at all. Nevertheless, it was an eye opener and we learned to view life from another perspective.
Sailing home
It had been a very long two months for us midshipman. In the days of no internet or mobile phones, we really haven’t any idea how were our families as well as any news at home or around the world. I was sure my parents must have worried for me but I don’t remember feeling homesick. But I did look forward to share my tales with all my peers and friends. I suppose it was my time to tell my stories, boast a bit rather than listening to other people’s tales.
Home n End of Cruise
The ship berthed at Bedok Jetty. We packed all our belongings into the army issued ‘Ali Baba’ bag. It was really a long way home from Bedok to Chong Pang, lugging the heavy bag. I lost weight and turned black from the constant sunburn. These two months had been a baptism of life, experiences that are not available in any textbooks. Mentally, I grew up a lot. I must admit that I had been lucky with life so far as thing were going my way, my aspirations realised.
Inche Wee, our fatherly officer who had been with us for 1 year now insist he wanted to show us around and see the ‘must see’. He rounded up about 10 of us, less all the ‘holy’ guys. He took us to a bar. It was dimly lighted and was crowded guests and many young hostesses. We took our seats and ordered beers. In the centre of the bar, was a stage. On the stage were many young girls, skimpily dress dancing around vertical poles. Late into the night, there was the famous “tiger show”. It was one hell of a captivating scene for most of us. We were bewildered, excited, confused and even enlightened. It was also quite a dilemma for some of us as we wondered whether we should be in such place at all. Nevertheless, it was an eye opener and we learned to view life from another perspective.
Sailing home
It had been a very long two months for us midshipman. In the days of no internet or mobile phones, we really haven’t any idea how were our families as well as any news at home or around the world. I was sure my parents must have worried for me but I don’t remember feeling homesick. But I did look forward to share my tales with all my peers and friends. I suppose it was my time to tell my stories, boast a bit rather than listening to other people’s tales.
Home n End of Cruise
The ship berthed at Bedok Jetty. We packed all our belongings into the army issued ‘Ali Baba’ bag. It was really a long way home from Bedok to Chong Pang, lugging the heavy bag. I lost weight and turned black from the constant sunburn. These two months had been a baptism of life, experiences that are not available in any textbooks. Mentally, I grew up a lot. I must admit that I had been lucky with life so far as thing were going my way, my aspirations realised.
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