Ahoy, Vela!

3 August –  Genoa containership docks

Today we transferred with a rather considerable mountain of luggage for the industrial port in Genoa.

Never would have dreamed of carrying so much baggage… anywhere ….. but once established on-board, it is very nice to have our books, laptops, computer monitor, decorative items, attire for both hot and cold weather, etc. 

In any event, and after a couple of unsurprising administrative SNAFUs, we arrived at our new home for the next 5 weeks or so…. the CMA CGM Vela, a large containership (Portuguese flagship, Ukrainian and Filipino crew for the most part, with a German operator).

The accommodations are a revelation.  We have the owner’s cabin, and it is spacious and absolutely spotless… at least as good and better than many of the places we’ve stayed over the last few weeks, artificial plants and all.

Quite a different set-up from the general cargo operations we had on the New Orleans.  The mind boggles at the immensity of this scene.  Remember that each of the colored oblong boxes you see here is as big as an 18-wheeler…..

We are due to depart early the morning of 3 August and to arrive in Malta in a couple of days for a short visit.  More later!