For all of you who think I am sitting in the sun tanning and living the life of luxury, I will have you know that wherever it is that I am (somewhere in the pacific ocean between Japan and Alaska), it is snowing. Let�s just say it would be a perfect time to watch "The Perfect Storm." Not because I could get my fill of poorly done Boston accents, not even because of the charming leading characters, but mostly because there is a big storm right outside my window. Generally the waves and wind are between force 1 and 3, but today we are at force 9 (force 12 is hurricane strength). I may be missing a New England winter, but I am getting plenty of snow and wind here. No one is allowed outside, for fear we will fall overboard, and as I was eating lunch a window shattered just one table away from me. It is always a fun experience when the ship is rocking, no one can walk down the hall without suddenly finding themselves walking into a wall and it is always fun to walk from one side of your cabin to another and find that suddenly you are on an incline. Word to the wise; never leave your dinner unattended on a table because it could easily end up on the floor.
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Katie item [93]
Mom and Dad,
Hi, I am pretty bummed. Well this is what our itinerary is looking like now: Nagasaki, Japan; Pusan, S. Korea; and then Osaka, Japan. We were going to possibly go to Taiwan...but the epidemic is breaking out there now, and now we can't go to Northern China because there have been outbreaks there too and they aren't handling it well. Don't get me wrong, I am still pumped and happy to be on this trip, but I just feel kind of robbed. I was soooo excited to go to Vietnam and Beijing. What do you do? I understand exactly why we can't go there, but it just sucks. Anyways, I will still keep you updated. If we don't get to go to S. Korea I think we are really in trouble. They are out of ports for us to go to. Hopefully that won't be the case.
I have gotten to know some new friends lately and I am having a blast with them, so that's cool. Staying on this ship for 13 days is going to make everyone go crazy, but they help the situation. I was excited to read that you guys have plans to come out and see me come in. That will be great. Some of my friends' parents are doing the same, so you will have to meet them and their folks. Do you think we can go check out the space needle? Well, I hope everything is well. I will let you guys know if anything else changes...I wouldn't be surprised if it does. Take care, talk to you soon!
Love, Kate
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Abby D item [94]
Well, we finally have a destination after about 4 days of aimless floating. After stopping in the harbor in Singapore for fuel and food supplies (we weren�t allowed off the ship because of SARS), our destination officially became �North.� Apparently on the website it said �Days to Destination, n/a.� I think that�s pretty funny. But now we know that our next port is Nagasaki, Japan. We�re supposed to arrive on April 1 and leave April 6. After that, we have no idea where we�re going
Everyone on the ship is going crazy. To make matters worse, the other night we hit rough waters for the first time in several weeks, so we have to get used to that all over again.
Some of you have asked what we�re doing on the ship to pass the time. So far we�ve continued to have classes just like any other ship days, but they�ve added a few extra TBA days (no classes). I plan to relax and watch movies and catch up on my journal. Oh, and SLEEP
Have I mentioned Pirate Duty yet? I don�t think I ever told y�all about it. Well, there actually ARE pirates! I thought that that rumor was a joke until we hit the Malacca Strait, which is between Singapore and the Philippines. At that point they brought out the hoses and crew members stood out on the stern of the boat and watched for pirates. If they see pirates, then they turn the hoses on the boats (I think it�s supposed to create a current strong enough to deflect their boat....). I thought some of you might find that little fact particularly amusing.
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Liesel item [95]
We are getting full refunds for the trips in both Vietnam and China, You should be getting $xxx back so you can check the amount if they refund you before I get home. They may just wait until the end of the voyage and refund you in check form or they may put it back on the credit card that is registered with the ISE account.
Here�s the latest information for you -
We�re still on the ship and have been on it for 9 days, we�re all getting a little cabin fever. Last night (the 26th) our dean got information that confirmed we could dock in Taiwan. However, this morning (the 27th) Semester at Sea discovered that China and Taiwan had not been properly reporting their cases of SARS. He was told that there were 31 cases, with 6 confirmed cases, in Taiwan � so that�s out.
Now our new itinerary is Nagasaki, Japan (hopefully docking from April 1st to 5th, let�s hope this does not turn into an April fools joke). Then over to Busan, Korea (on schedule), then back to Japan to dock in Osaka (on schedule). I don�t know what they are going to do with us for the 10 extra days at sea (that�s just not exciting to me). At least we are getting our classes out of the way now, so hopefully I won�t be so grumpy from the lack of sleep and overworking by the time I get to Seattle. Because of all of these changes there is absolutely no way that we can make it to northern China, plus we found it�s just not safe there � in the way of SARS.
So if you ever need new vacation plans I suggest going to Vietnam and China/Hong Kong (you already have $xxx set aside for it!)
Have fun being on dry land. As beautiful as the ocean is I would love to be able to actually get outside and go somewhere!
Love,
Liesel
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Eric K item [96]
We have just received information about the most likely information regarding our itinerary. The only part of this that is confirmed at this point is up to leaving Busan, South Korea.
April 5th 1800 (6 p.m.) Leave Nagasaki, Japan
April 7th 0800 Busan Korea Dockside
April 11th 2300 (11 p.m) Depart Korea
April 14th Osaka, Japan or POSSIBLY Kobe, Japan
April 18th WE THINK LEAVE Osaka or Kobe
April 30th POSSIBLY ARRIVE SEATTLE
If this is the case I will be able to stay on the ship until the 6th of May. I will try to figure out what the exact information is once I know it.
Any questions from anyone I will be glad to answer them with the information that I know. My e-mail is [email protected]. Again most of this is not confirmed, only up to leaving Busan, South Korea.
Sincerely,
Eric
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Krissy item [97]
I am a little disappointed but really I can't be. I am unbelievably satisfied with the trip and really, it is out of my control and everyone else�s. If it was something other than a disease and SAS was just being dumb, then I'd be upset...but it's no ones fault. Actually, everyone on the boat is handling it well. I think it's sort of fun not knowing what's going on...it makes it more adventurous. I think it also gives me an excuse to get back to some of these countries because I really did want to see them. But, I could never be upset about it. What happens, happens, and it really doesn't matter because I have already had the time of my life. From the first week I was here I realized that even if it had only been that week, it was worth every penny.
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Ryan D item [98]
Hey mom and dad,
Can you get a plane ticket for May 6th at night if possible? I want to spend as much time with my friends as possible. We are docking in Seattle on April 30th but we are going to go to Vancouver for a couple of days. Could you please look up hotel info for me and make the flight plans out of Seattle. The ship will dock April 30th but be open until May 6th so I can leave my luggage on the ship instead of having to haul it to Vancouver.
Does not worry I got my rail pass from FedEx today with no problems. We just had to take a short taxi ride to get to the FedEx station. We are leaving Hiroshima tonight for heat, it should be pretty exciting. I am loving Japan so for except that no one speaks English, the language barrier is kind of a bitch.
Thanks,
Ryan
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Rusty item [99]
We are going to get into Seattle on the 30th- tentatively- instead of the sixth of May. I have thought a little about that, but we just got that news last night, so I haven�t had too much time to think about it. I think that it might be cool to keep travel plans the way they are and I can just treat Seattle like another port of call because the ship will be available until May, 6th, so housing will be free. I don�t know what everyone will do, but I have heard a lot of people talking about doing that.
They told us that if we are planning on changing travel plans, not to do it quite yet because the arrival date is not set in stone yet. I feel really bad for the dean because he has been working so hard to get this all worked out and I know that they have been having a hard time. And, he has had to deliver a lot of bad news, which can�t be fun. Most people are taking everything pretty well. Some people complained a lot, but most realize that we are lucky to be here in the first place and so they are rolling with the punches. I think that the key is to look at our itinerary ahead of us, and not worry about the ones we are missing.
Japan is supposed to be a very expensive port and some people are pretty worried about the fact that we will have about nine days there total. I am getting a full refund on the $954 dollar trip in China, so that should come off of the credit card about the time of the end of the voyage. They said there were some cancellation fees, but Pittsburgh decided not to pass them along to us, which was nice.
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Rusty item [100]
Man, it has been a long time since I wrote last and believe me a lot has happened since then. The most recent developments in our trip are slightly less positive than we hoped. Because of the outbreak of a strange Pneumonia virus in Asia, which I�m sure you�ve heard about, we had to cancel our stops in both Vietnam and Hong Kong. When we as a shipboard community first got this news I wasn�t too disappointed. I had wanted to go to those countries, but I figured we would just slap some new stops in there and all would be well. Unfortunately, at a time when we are at war and the virus has infected a lot of countries, there aren�t a lot of options. At first it was kind of exciting because we had no idea where we were going. The people in Pittsburgh, the Captain, the Dean and everyone have been working really hard to keep the rest of the program intact. For awhile we didn�t know anything for sure. We anchored off the coast of Singapore for fuel and that was kinda cool. We were hoping to still make it to northern China, but the disease seems to have hit there too and we can�t go. It is a bummer that we had to lose those countries, but I am trying to focus on what we are doing rather than what we are not doing. I keep reminding myself that this trip has already been so amazing. Also, it is not too shabby to visit Japan twice in one month. I was watching Good Morning Vietnam the other day and I started to get pretty sad that we are not going to Vietnam. And, I have to admit I was pretty excited about buying cheap electronics and getting a suit tailored in Hong Kong. Oh well, Sushi and Sumo will have to take their place. Some people are really mad that we are having to spend more time on the ship, but I�m really ok with that. For me, the shipboard life is just as much a part of the trip as the countries are.
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Eric K item [101]
Hello Parents,
This is to inform everyone of information just given to us by the Executive Dean. The program will conclude on May 6th at 0800 as originally scheduled. Here is the newest view on everything.
Everything up to leaving Osaka, Japan is confirmed and will not change. The only possibility is that we might leave a little early.
WE ARE GOING TO ALASKA AND CANADA
18th Probably leave Osaka early
Port in Alaska yet to be determined
April 29th 0600 Arrive
April 30th Depart
Victoria, Canada
May 4th
May 5th leave night
May 6th 0800 Arrive in Seattle
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Eric K item [102]
Hey Everyone,
I was in the crowded Union when I wrote the first e-mail so this one is a little bit more formal. It has been confirmed that we will be visiting two additional ports never listed and never visited by a semester at sea voyage. In Alaska it has yet to be 100% confirmed as to which port. We will arrive early the first morning (April 29) and leaving the following night. Wildlife viewing should be available on the ship as we pull in. We will then arrive in Victoria, Canada on May 4th I believe early in the morning. Once again we will leave the following night, May 5th to arrive in Seattle, Washington on May 6th at 0800 as originally scheduled.
Nagasaki, Alaska, and Victoria, Canada are all ports never visited by a spring voyage so this is quite an experience. In addition I will be spending more money then I ever expected.
Time loss will be 2 two hour jumps and one 4 hour time jump before a TBA (day off from classes) day. There will be more information tomorrow about academic days but I do know that I will be done with classes before reaching Alaska.
This should also make packing very interesting as before they gave us 2 days and now it is a lot less, say one night.
Talk to everyone later,
Eric
The ship's passenger license was extended due to a preliminary survey done while in Nagasaki.
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Erin F item [103]
My papers are now all handed in. I�m the lucky kid who doesn�t have finals so I have the next few days to pack AKA sleep while everyone else studies. We had the ambassador�s ball last night which everyone got all dressed up for and had a really nice dinner with wine and waiters! It was a great time, but surprisingly sad because now it�s really the end�
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Meghan item [104]
Hi!
Have you ever been in the middle of a blizzard in the middle of the Pacific Ocean? I have! snow, ice, hail, and horrible waves! I am in the computer lab and it's really bad here. My feet are sometimes off the ground when I walk! Yesterday was horrible; there were even a few piles of puke to clean up! (Thanks for sharing that!) And the outside was blocked off, no one was allowed out. So today was a study day and tomorrow is now B23, last day of class! Because no one could study yesterday and our core final was supposed to be today.
The ambassador's ball is tomorrow night! Then two days of study and two days of final and then we get to Alaska. I found this coat that isn�t really a winter coat but it was 10 bucks and it will be good for layering I guess. Oh and I am doing this helicopter glacier thing. We get to fly over some glaciers and then walk on one with these clampy things on our boots. I thought it would be fun, and who knows when I will walk on a glacier again. I hope that it is worth the money. Other than that I don't know what else we will do. In Canada we are going to do the "great ale trail". Are you still planning on going to Victoria? I hear that those gardens are really cool so I will probably do that and the tea also. Oh and horse drawn carriage tours! All right, I'd better end this before I get too sea sick! I'll let you know how finals go! Ha!
Love you! Meg
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Laura K item [105]
Hi dad and mom
Just a quick note. It is so so rocky. The waves around about 30 feet. We are not allowed to go outside. It is crazy to look out the window. We are really moving- a lot of people are sick. It is impossible to be in the computer lab and library- those are too rocky b/c they are in the front of the ship. Dad, the websites are very informative, I think as of now I will just wing it- I don't think I want any reservations b/c things always change. Well gotta go- it is so rocky- it's crazy!! And it's snowing and freezing outside!!! Love you. Glad Easter was fun!
Love, Laura
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Sarah item [106]
Well the storm has calmed down. Still rocky but nothing like yesterday and it is sunny out. It was crazy yesterday. Snow balls kept hitting my window, we weren't allowed outside and it felt like a roller coaster. I took 3 separate 2 hr naps yesterday. Everyone keeps saying they feel like they have mono. The rocking makes you so sleepy. They cancelled classes and tests for today b/c no one could study for the CORE test yesterday. Last night I watched Perfect Storm and it was kind of fun b/c the boat actually shook when all the big wave scenes were on the movie.
I titled this Groundhog Day b/c today is our first April 23rd and when I wake up in the morning, guess what... It is April 23rd again! We cross the International Date Line tonight. So I am ahead of you guys now but will be behind you tomorrow. So weird. I guess I get a chance to do this day over again. The Ambassadors Ball is tomorrow. We get all dressed up in our cocktail dresses and get served a 5 course meal. We have seating assignments and of course the 6 of us are together. They have a presentation and slide show and then drinks and dancing and dessert. It should be fun. Hope the seas cooperate!
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Julie item [107]
It was really rocking yesterday to the point that the whole ship would vibrate and make big banging sounds as the rudder of the ship came out of the water and slammed back in�but don't worry if the rudder ever falls off we have 8 hours before the ship sinks, plenty of time to pack!
Julie
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Erin F [108]
Hey!!
How are you? This ship is rocking like CrAzY! It was snowing last night and everyone was running around all excited and going up to the deck to check it out. So much for those days of tanning on the sundeck� They announced this morning that we�re not allowed to go outside at all because it�s so dangerous. Today the seas are 25-32 feet!!! And we�re only traveling at 10 knots. It�s so crazy it feels like one of those pirate ships at amusement parks that swing from side to side. Only we have to walk on this ship and when we go over really big waves it feels like a rollercoaster drop! I like to watch the stuff on my dresser slide from one side to the other. I felt a little seasick last night, not bad though, and took my first seasick pill ever and then I was fine. Well, papers to write.....see you soon!
Love, Erin
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Danielle item [109]
"Ahhhh it is a perfect storm out there. I have never seen it so bad before. It is snowing outside. Who ever thought that it snowed in the ocean? It is so rocky and bad that the captain won�t let us go outside. Everyone is getting seasick (hopefully not me) and walking into walls. There are 30 foot waves out there! But what is even worse is that I have a final tomorrow and a paper due. Who can study in conditions like this? I�m hoping that it will either clear up or they will push exams back. My fear of the ocean is returning. I need to get out of the comp lab before I start to feel sick"
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Christina item [110]
Well, everyone, I�m hoping to finally get this email written today. The ship is rocking like I�ve never seen it before- the waves are over twenty feet high. If I was in a smaller boat, this would be �The Perfect Storm�-esque. They have closed off all the doors outside and no one can go out because it is too dangerous; the elevators were shut down, and they have hung �barf bags� from the railing in every hallway. A lot of people are sick, and one girl broke her hand in a slamming door. It�s actually quite scary.
I went up to the Navigator�s Lounge to take pictures (I didn�t end up getting any because there would have been a reflection in the glass. It was too dark even though it was a little after noon). There was snow/rain/sleet coming down and the sea was just roiling with waves topped with a foaming white. You would see them break on the bow of the ship, and water would come crashing over the front. Our room is creaking so loud it sounds like it will fall apart (I barely slept at all last night) and when the front end of the ship comes really far out of the water there is a horrible groaning sort of noise (think Titanic when the ship started to sink and it rose straight up before breaking in two). Then, when it comes down it sort of �jumps� a little bit.
Somehow (knock on wood) I have managed to keep from getting seasick, although my roommate was not as lucky. I think it may have to do with trying to stay off my feet as much as possible today (not hard to do. When walking down the hall or the stairs, the ship tilts one way and you feel like you are climbing a mountain. Then it rocks back and you are practically running. That doesn�t even mention the side-to side rocking. I chose to stay in my room as much as possible. I also took Dramamine this morning just in case). The rumor is that the waves are a nine on a scale of one to twelve. The highest we have had so far was six or seven. I don�t know if that is true, but I guess I will find out tomorrow probably. Anyway, the point of that big long explanation was that they cancelled our last day of classes and our CORE final tomorrow and moved them to the next day. So, since I know have a whole day free tomorrow to study, I figured I should get this email out to my eager fans. ;)
And now, here we are, on our way back to the States and nearing the end of our journey around the world. I hope everyone is well, I probably won�t be emailing after Alaska and Canada until after I am home. Good luck to everyone for the end of the semester, and I�ll see you in a couple of weeks!
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Eric K item [111]
He (Eric) said they have crossed the International Dateline. So it is 10:00 PM EST April 23 and it is now 1:00 PM April 23 on the ship. He said tonight they jump ahead 2 hours!
He said the seas have calmed to about 15 foot swells now. He has never experienced any seasickness so he was helping out in the computer lab since so many others were seasick.
The Ambassador's ball is tonight.
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Kirsten item [112]
Hey guys!
I have amazing news � I am not getting home early! They added Seward, Alaska and Victoria, Canada to the itinerary. I am so jazzed. We all went to the meeting where they announced it expecting to have Korea removed from the itinerary, and instead found out that we not only are still going to Korea and Osaka, but are also getting two new ports. I have already been to both places, but I couldn�t care less right now. It is going to be a blast.
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Julia item [113]
I'm not sure how word travels back in the States or how many of you know my itinerary, but this e-mail should have been about Vietnam and the first half of Hong Kong/China. Unfortunately, however, that crazy Asian pneumonia, SARS, prevented us from going there. After a grueling 13 (that's seven unplanned extra days) at sea, we docked in Nagasaki, Japan. We'll be in Korea the day after tomorrow (April 7th-11th) and then back to Japan where we will dock in Osaka (April 14th-18th). Now, I know this is old news for many of you so forgive me for reiterating, however, I do have some brand new news that only my parents might, and I emphasize "might" know because they check the website. TWO NEW PORTS! Seward, Alaska, and Victoria Island, British Columbia to put our arrival date in Seattle back to May 6th. Not exactly Vietnam and China, but better than going straight home. However, I now need to purchase some super expensive Japanese winter clothes.
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Christina item [114]
Hey everyone! Sorry if this email is shorter than usual. I have to write it quickly because we had Korea Seminar Day all day today. I want to get this sent off before we get to Korea tomorrow so that I don�t have to send a really, really long email later.
Well, the first thing that I should let everyone know about is another (yes, another) itinerary change. While we were in Nagasaki, we were able to have a brief inspection of the ship, which was enough to allow us to be granted an extension to the date by which we must have the full inspection. Therefore, we are going to be able to arrive in the States on our original date (May 6). Two new ports have been added to fill the extra time. Our (hopefully) final schedule is this: Pusan, South Korea from April 7-11; Osaka, Japan from April 14-18; Seward, Alaska from April 29-30; and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, from May 4-5; then Seattle on May 6.
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Katie item [115]
Mom and Dad
Guess what?! I am not going to be in Seattle on the 30th; we are coming back as originally planned (May 6th). We got an extension for our inspection so now we are going to Alaska and Victoria, Canada. I am so excited. Now you can watch the ship come in. That will be so much fun. Good thing we didn't get the flights changed, huh? That would have been such a mess.
Well, nothing else is new. I am still exhausted from Japan. We are now having an informational session on South Korea, so I should go. Take care. I miss you and love you both sooooo much! Can't wait to see you in a month!
Love Kate
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Erin F item [116]
Hi everyone!
Wow, time flies! Since there was only one day between Japan and Korea, I didn�t have time to get my e-mail out. And after 5 days in both Korea and Japan again, Nagasaki seems so long ago! Now that we are in first world, developed countries my e-mails will be much shorter, as life is not as different from ours in the United States. However, their culture is extremely different.
We have a nice long 10 day stretch until we get to Alaska (where my dad is meeting me!!) and the seas have already gotten really choppy. Not much has changed � I have two 7 page term papers and five three-page papers � none of which I�ve researched, all due in the next four days. Also, Happy Easter (and Passover) everyone! I have class tomorrow, on Easter Sunday! Also, the only Easter service on the ship is at 7:00 A.M. tomorrow morning, held before classes. Alleluia, that�s early!
One more thing, my mom just sent me info on my flight home� I�m not getting in 'til 11pm on May 8th. We decided to spend an extra day sightseeing and visiting with family in Seattle. Can�t wait to see you all!!! KEEP THE E-MAILS COMING!! I have a looooong 10 days of boredom ahead of me. Miss ya!
Love, Erin
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Erin F item [117]
My papers are now all handed in. I�m the lucky kid who doesn�t have finals so I have the next few days to pack AKA sleep while everyone else studies. We had the ambassador�s ball last night which everyone got all dressed up for and had a really nice dinner with wine and waiters! It was a great time, but surprisingly sad because now it�s really the end�
I�m so excited to see my Dad in Alaska and my mom and Seattle� and of course to share all my pictures and stories with everyone. And I do think we have a few 21st bdays to celebrate when I get home� Have an awesome Spring Weekend everyone! Don�t do anything I wouldn�t do.. twice.
Love ya, Erin
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Liesel item [118]
I�m definitely still going back and forth every day � some days I really want to be home and others I don�t want this voyage to end. It�s been a blast though and I still have a couple days in Seward and a couple days in Victoria � I�ll definitely make the most of those.
Take care, I�m not sure when you�ll hear from me next. Most likely after I�m home. We�ve got pretty rocky seas today and they�re just supposed to get worse! No fun. Plus I think I�m getting a cold (no, not SARS Kelly), and we have finals � my goodness it�s just going to be a very busy couple of weeks. Talk to ya later! Oh yeah, and HAPPY EASTER because apparently that�s tomorrow!
Always,
Liesel
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Krissy item [119]
You guys are too cute! Thanks so much for the cake! It's not dinner time but I got a note on my door. You guys are so nice to me...I can't even believe it! There is a huge line for the internet so I'll have to write fast (it was out for a few days). Things are fun on the ship. I'm sure you know now that we are going to Japan twice. There are lots of rumors going around that we are going to get back to Seattle early because we need to dry dock on time...I donno...we'll see. Oh, the picture is of me (I have some sort or bark on my head in the Amazon) and the boy is Ben. He's such a nice guy. Anyway, we'll be in port in a day or so. They gave us a TBA day today so we had a BBQ. It was SOOOOOO good! Anyway, I love you so so so so much! Thanks for the cake! Lisa will be happy and I'll invite brook and cat (I can't eat it all!). I love you so much! I'll write later (and tell Katie to write me!). Love always, ME
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