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Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Ribe Mærsk / Ribe Maersk
Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Ribe Mærsk / Ribe Maersk
M/T Ribe Maersk
Map Ta Put anchorage - Picture by Aladdin


Aladdin's adventure on board M/T Ribe Mærsk
From https://www.marinetraffic.com



Monday 16th of December 2019 and we left Bangkok around 12 thirty. First they said 11 and then suddenly it was changed to 13:00. When I came back from lunch they were waiting for me at the parking outside my apartment. I went to get my luggage and we took off towards Rayong.

I went up to get my bag and fruit and we were soon on the toll way towards south. Approaching Rayong, well, we had passed Pattaya and we stopped at a gas stop and I could not help myself, I bought a MAX. I have given up the MAX but one bottle, never mind.

Bangkok to Rayong
Leaving Bangkok behind

Bangkok to Rayong
Full speed towards Rayong

Bangkok to Rayong
Could not help myself, I bought a MAX

Reaching Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด and we had to wait for our Electrician that was going to join the ship as well. We had to wait for more than one hour so I had time to go see “MAMA” to give her Line cameraa kiss from our “Time Keeper”

I was lucky and “MAMA” was in the shop and I could give her a kiss and I sent the picture to our “Time Keeper” instantly via Line. He is on board waiting so now he have a little something to enjoy while waiting for us to come on board.

I bought a little something to drink before I went back to the jetty and it is darn hot on the jetty so a cold drink would come in handy. Our electrician arrived and we boarded the boat and we were soon on our way to Ribe Mærsk.

Line camera

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Durian have reached Map Ta Phut

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Walking towards “MAMA´s” shop in Map Ta Phut

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Where is “MAMA”?

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Our “Time Keeper” will be green of envy

We left Map Ta Phut behind and we could soon see Ribe Mærsk in the horizon and we were lucky, she is loaded so it is not so long to climb to get on board. Coming on board and I moved right in to my room and the old Chief Officer left 3 hours later. Really didn´t had any real chance to see him as he was busy packing his luggage.

He came down and they left with the service boat. Well, no need for any handovers as the ship is almost exactly the same as Ribe Mærsk.

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
2nd Engineer, Electrician and Superintendent

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
We can see Ribe Mærsk

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
We can see Ribe Mærsk

The original plan was for us to take Pilot at 22:00 but it was delayed and new pilot time is for 8
o`clock tomorrow morning, perfect. Full night sleep, good as I have been up since 4 in the morning. Otherwise it would have been a full night in the CCR.

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Our “Time Keeper” looking busy

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Our “Time Keeper” taking pictures

I have not got in to my diet bet, but I will be in a hurry to start the 1000 US Dollars for each and every one catching me eating. Or I will soon have blown me out of proportions. Hot chocolate with whipped cream, for sure nothing good for my V-shaped torso is coming out from that. Especially if drinking buckets of it.

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Meal time

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Merry Christmas

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Merry Christmas

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Magic for sale

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Magic for sale

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Magic for sale

Our “Time Keeper” want to sell some magic and he sent me a couple of picture. It is nice magic and I would not mind having them in my new “magic display” back home. Would look nice with my ☺ and the other magic.

He asked for a price that made me lose my hair. We negotiated and he didn't give after. He lowered the price by 1000 Baht. 1000 Baht is nothing and I could as well pay the full price. I went from 18000 to 25000 and I started to send pictures to him via Line. If he see money he might realize that he need money.

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk

He came in to my room and he said 8+8+8+5 and I said OK. Again, he started to negotiate and I told him that he had already given me the price. He gave me the full song and dance on how he had miscalculated.
- NO NO NO, I give you 8+8+8+5, I said.
- Farang no good!

He was in my room dancing to some funky Ponglang and we made a video to send to “MAMA” and the negotiation continued. I gave him the cash and he put them on my desk. He asked for a little higher price and he said that I was asking for a “painfully” low price.

I told him that he was the one coming rushing in to my room telling me the price. I accepted and the cash was there right in front of him.


Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
The deal was done

We left Map Ta Phut and our emergency generator broke down. We could not leave the anchorage until it was working or we had a new generator on board. This is the best time of the year to get spares etc. Our “Time Keeper” will have a few days at the anchorage and he decided to go home to Bangkok. He will get my magic from his home and bring it on board. And he will make gold and silver frames for the magic.

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
One of my new magic with gold frame

The festive season, but they managed to find a generator and a barge that will be here on the 31st of December. We spent the days waiting by inspecting a few void spaces and I learned that we had to leave for International waters before 23:59 on the 31st of December. I had expected us to stay anchored until the 2nd as we will load on the 3rd of January 2020.

I sent a line message to our “Time Keeper” that he would have to liaise with the Agent when to come on board. He sent me a message that he would come on board at 3 o´clock in the afternoon on the 31st. The barge will be here at 17:00 but they arrived already at 3 o´clock.

Our “Time Keeper” had arrived already at 2 and he had brought bananas and herb, and of course the magic. Festive season and the silver shop had been closed so we will have to buy the frames next time. But the gold shops were open so one of the magic’s had got a gold frame.


Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Pump Man and Chief Engineer

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Our green painted generator have arrived

We left Map Ta Phut anchorage in the evening when the generator was up and running. We will drive through Cambodian water so we leave Thai water and then to Bongkot where we will drift until 3rd of January when we will load.

Pilot on board at 6 o´clock in the morning on the 3rd but was later changed to 12 and then to 3 o´clock in the afternoon because they expected bad weather in the morning.

We are back in Bongkot the next voyage #20017 and again, no pilot before 13:00 so this means no early morning. Same quantities and same cargo tanks. Easy! I was tricked in to buy more magic from our Time Keeper. One 100 year old (According to the Time Keeper) and I was more thinking like Hong Kong 1977 and I started to look for a lighter.

A Thai Buddha amulet

(Thai: พระเครื่อง; RTGS: phrakhrueang), often referred to academically as "votive tablet", is a kind of Thai Buddhist blessed item. It is used to raise funds to help the temple producing the amulets. Worshippers can obtain an amulet or Thai Buddhist monk blessing by simply donating money or offering oil to the temple.

After the donation, the monk will give them an amulet as a gift. The amulets no longer simply are considered a "gift", but a tool to help enhance luck in different aspects of life. People use amulets to improve their marriage, wealth, health, love and relationships.

It is a Thai tradition to place amulets under a stupa or other temple structure when it is built. When the structure collapses, many amulets may be found. Some can be over a century old.

Almost every Thai Buddhist has at least one Thai amulet. It is common to see young or elderly people wear one or many amulets around the neck in order to get closer to the Buddha.

Amulet with image of Phra Khru Thammakitchaphiban, past abbot of Wat Doi Tha Sao, made of metal

Amulets are made using the Buddha image, an image of a famous monk, or even an image of the monks who made the amulets. Amulets vary in size, shape, and materials such as plaster, bone, wood, or metal. They may include ash from incense or old temple structures, or hair from a famous monk to add protective power to the amulets.

After the amulets are made, the maker will then ask the monks who live in temples or monks from other temples join together and practice will, chant, pray and bless the amulets. This process may take from a week to more than three years.

When a new amulet is freshly made, its plaster appearance may not be attractive or gorgeous. By adding a protective casing the appearance of the amulet is enhanced and at the same time the amulet inside is protected. The price of an amulet not only depends on its appearance, but also on its scarcity, its maker, its age and the magic classes as well.

Famous markets for amulets include the Tha Phrachan Market next to Thammasat University. However, many amulets at the Tha Prachan market are considered to be fake, meaning replicas that have not been blessed by a monk. Genuine amulets are rare at the Tha Prachan Market. Many collectors and devotees have a trusted dealer of authentic amulets, for the study and authentication of real amulets is as complex a matter as is to be found in the antique trade, or in similar niches such as stamp collecting.

Forgeries are rife, and it takes decades of study and experience to develop the skills needed to recognise authentic amulets. There are literally millions of editions from thousands of temples, spanning centuries, and it is not possible for one person to harbour the knowledge to be able to authenticate every single edition. Hence, each expert has his own chosen line of amulets, of a particular type, temple, or artisan, which he chooses as his personal field of expertise.

Famous Thai amulets
Benja Phakhi

The most famous of Thai amulets are the set of five rarest and highly sought after amulets Phra Somdej Wat Rakhang (Thai: พระสมเด็จวัดระฆัง), Phra Rod (Thai: พระรอด), Phra Nang Phaya (Thai: พระนางพญา), Phra Phong Suphan (Thai: พระผงสุพรรณ), and Phra Sum Kor (Thai: พระซุ้มกอ), together called Benja Phakhi (Thai: เบญจภาคี). They are valued at over 10 million baht.

• Phra Somdej

• Phra Rod

• Phra Nang Phaya

• Phra Phong Suphan

• Phra Sum Kor

• Phra Khun Phaen

• Khun Phaen amulet

• Jatukham Rammathep

• Phra Kring

Amulet taboos

• Do not wear Buddhist amulets under the waist. For most amulets, wear it on the neck or above the waist. This tradition is to show respect to the Buddha.

• Takrut (without a monk or Buddhist image) can put inside your pants pocket.

• Do not put a Buddhist amulet in a bedroom if you expect to engage in sex there.

• Pray before and after wearing an amulets.

• Remove amulets when bathing.

It is not necessary to wear an odd number of amulets around the neck for balance and symmetry; it is not required.

Prayer

Vandana
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa: This is a prayer to honour to the blessed one, the exalted one, the fully enlightened one. People usually say this prayer three times before and after wearing on the amulet. Saying this prayer, means showing absolute respect to the Buddha. This prayer can also be said before and after meditation.

Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa


There is a special mantra or prayer in Pāli for praying to amulets to beseech blessings, called Kata Ārātanā Pra Krueang, which goes like this: Puttang Ārātanānang Tammang Ārātanānang Sangkang Ārātanānang (make a wish or prayer, and continue with, Puttang Bprasittimē Tammang Bprasittimē Sangkang Bprasittimē.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Super holy tiger tooth

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
คุณพระเครื่อง

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
คุณพระเครื่อง

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Tiger Magic

I had been on board for a trip, 4 days or so before I got in to my normal routines to order fruit from “MAMA” Bananas and mango + 50 coconuts. So I will start the day in the CCR by eating and drinking coconuts, very healthy. So this will Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st hopefully help me with my V-shaped torso.

I also put up my diet bet but Captain took it down again telling me that we would start with the diet after New Year.

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Pollution in Bangkok

Lucky to be at sea, the pollution in Bangkok was above 2.5 whatever and she is wearing dust mask going to work. The air is full of dust in Bangkok and I hope it is better by the time I am back home. Otherwise I kill time to go through my birds from Ethiopia. A lot of pictures and when I was finished I started to plan for my next birding trip.

Florida and Niagara Falls. Start in Florida for two workshops:

• ROSEATE SPOONBILL PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP 2020

• FLORIDA DIVING AND FEEDING OSPREY PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

Then the plan is for a few days in the Everglades and then to Key West before flying to Toronto. I have found a Guide at www.birdingpal and looks like we will do a few days in Whitby just north of Toronto before going to Niagara Falls, then back to New York and my flight back home. I cancelled the workshops in Florida as it requested a 600mm lens minimum most of the time.

I have a 400mm and I already think that is too much as I want to come close to the birds.

+++++++++++++++
Tuesday 14th of January 2020
and we had left Bongkot, บงกด, loaded voyage 20118, arriving 22 hours later to Map Ta Phut anchorage. I was preparing all the papers for the discharge. Going to speak with Captain and he told me that Maersk Tankers have broken up with our Agent.

I was sitting down screaming THANK GOD! THANK GOD! THANK GOD! I asked him if the new one would be the one we had used before, Alliance, we will most likely do. I was in an instant good mood receiving this news. Alliance, professional Agents.

Our “Time Keeper” needs to attend a safety course, a yearly event or he is not allowed to pass the jetty at TTT in Map Ta Phut when he is going ashore. So we started voyage #20019 without our “Time Keeper” and I will do his paper work in Bongkot.

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Arrival report ready to be sent

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Has to be stamped

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Scanned and soon sent

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
I also sent him a picture of his new PAD via Line

We left Bongkot early morning on the 20th of January and our “Time Keeper” kept me updated with the latest news from the safety course. It started early morning with a picture of him when he left Bangkok for Map Ta Phut. And later on in the afternoon I received a picture via Line that he most likely had have to sneak with when taking the picture.

He had also found the พระเครื่อง that I had brought from him. One he had put in silver frame and the other black พระเครื่อง will have a gold frame. So he had been busy while at home.

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Leaving Bangkok and he is obviously using a “BEAUTY” filter on his phone

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
In the class room

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
พระเครื่อง

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
พระเครื่อง

January 2020 will go down the history books as the month when the Corona Virus got known all over the world. I don't know if it was the Corona Virus, but I was sick for two days and I never made it ashore in Map Ta Phut with our Time Keeper.

I had a chance to get ashore when we completed voyage 20020 but I cancelled as I was sick. I need a haircut, a new phone, a new loudspeaker and gold and silver chains for my magic. So I was for sure saving a lot of money.


And that is money I need when I am coming home. My birding trip to USA and Canada starts to fall in to place now. Florida, Rocky Mountains then off to Canada for Toronto and Niagara Falls before going to New York and back home.

We have our old Agent back and everyone is very happy that they have swapped back to Alliance Shipping. Our Agent came on board and now they require that they wear gloves and mask when walking through the terminal because of the Corona Virus.

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Our Agent in full protective clothing

Our Time Keeper went home when we had discharged in Map Ta Phut, voy 20022. He have a meeting at the office in Bangkok and he will bring back 8 new Thai Amulets, พระเครื่อง for me. This will be the last พระเครื่อง I will buy for a long time. Now I have spent way too much money on the magic and I will not spend any more for at least a year.

Out Time Keeper left us on the anchorage after discharging in Map Ta Phut on voy. 20022. He will go to some Ganesha ritual with his office in Bangkok. He will also cover my new amulets with gold and silver when at home.

He will come back on board in Map Ta Phut when we discharge on voy. 20023 so that means that I will do his paper work in Bongkot.

Ganesha Festival in Bangkok
Ganesha Festival in Bangkok

Ganesha Festival in Bangkok
Ganesha Festival in Bangkok

Ganesha Festival in Bangkok

Ganesha Festival in Bangkok
After all the magic I am sure we will win the lottery

Ganesha Festival in Bangkok

Ganesha Festival in Bangkok

Ganesha Festival in Bangkok

Line


Of course, our Time Keeper and Agent sent pictures of the event with line so we know what is going on in Bangkok here on board m/t Ribe Maersk. And as he was sharing his picture I shared my pictures of us sending the arrival report, just for him to know that we were on top of things on board Ribe Maersk.

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Arrival report ready

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
A signature...

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
... and the report is sent

Our Time Keeper had time to buy covers for my amulets and he sent me pictures to keep me updated on the progress. And I could see where my money is disappearing. But me new amulets (พระเครื่อง) looks good. Now I only miss a silver chain for my silver amulets and a gold chain for my gold amulets. And by now I think I have enough to fill my new พระเครื่อง cabinet.

Thai Buddha amulet, พระเครื่อง
Thai Buddha amulet, พระเครื่อง

Thai Buddha amulet, พระเครื่อง
Thai Buddha amulet, พระเครื่อง

Thai Buddha amulet, พระเครื่อง
Thai Buddha amulet, พระเครื่อง

Thai Buddha amulet, พระเครื่อง
Thai Buddha amulet, พระเครื่อง

Thai Buddha amulet, พระเครื่อง
Thai Buddha amulet, พระเครื่อง

Thai Buddha amulet, พระเครื่อง
Thai Buddha amulet, พระเครื่อง

Aladdin´s adventure in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Selling all his magic so I had to make a new magic to him

I had a chance to come ashore on the 13th of February. 2 days at the anchorage and I took the chance to get ashore. I need a new Bluetooth loudspeaker, a new phone. And I will look for one silver and one gold chain for all my new magic. We will also bring my new “IRON FLOW” พระเครื่อง FUJI - Japanese Restaurantto try to find a nice gold frame. Our Time Keeper will come with me for assistance.

And most important, we will have lunch with MAMA. Japanese food at FUJI. Our 2nd Officer will go ashore to see the Dentist and we will leave at 11 o'clock with the launch bringing the Lloyd Surveyor to the anchorage.

Aladdin´s adventure in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
On the way to the fishing port in Rayong

Aladdin´s adventure in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
On the way to the fishing port in Rayong

Aladdin´s adventure in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Coming ashore in Rayong

Aladdin´s adventure in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Coming ashore in Rayong

Aladdin´s adventure in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Coming ashore in Rayong

We left Ribe around 11 o'clock and we stepped ashore 30 minutes or so later. We met MAMA at her shop on the jetty. We were soon on our way to Central and MAMA will come a little later to Ice cream in Thailandjoin us for dinner. Well, it will be more like lunch as it is in the middle of the day.

And if I am lucky (or unlucky) we will find some nice ice cream.

We started by looking for the chains and a gold cover for my amulet. No silver, but there were many beautiful gold chains. But they were all too short for me. I found one 4 Baht chain, too short but beautiful. They wanted 99000 for the chain and I asked for the “SPECIAL FRIEND” price. She lowered the price to 74000.

I am sure that was a mistake as 4 Baht of gold would be 92000. Anyway, I told them to hold on while I went to look for a longer chain. When I started I thought they would be longer if I added more gold. But they only became thicker and not longer.

We ran in to MAMA and her friend and we went to FUJI to have lunch.

Aladdin´s adventure in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Japanese food

Aladdin´s adventure in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Japanese food

Aladdin´s adventure in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Japanese food

We left central for another place when we finished the lunch. I found a silver chain and we also managed to get a gold cover for my new magic. All their gold chains were too short. Their only silver chain was 80 cm and I bought it for 6700. My Time Keeper was very disappointed that I liked the chain as he wanted to buy the chain.

6700 was VERY cheap for a 5 Baht chain and I was very happy. I think the made a mistake in the shop. But I was happy when we left. I found a loudspeaker and a new mobile phone. I manage to get a haircut and we managed to get a hair trimmer for the ship. We were ready to go back to MAMA's launch to get back to the ship.

Our Time Keeper called our driver and he was at the shopping mall to pick up the rest of the crew. He will drive them to Central and he will pick us up on the way.

Aladdin´s adventure in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Waiting for the car

Aladdin´s adventure in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
We get on board the pick-up truck

The pick-up truck arrived and we left for Central where we dropped the crew before going to the launch and we were back on board around 8 o'clock.

I was very happy with my new silver chain. I really liked it and it goes well with my พระเครื่อง with silver frames. But I need a gold chain for my พระเครื่อง with gold frames. And I was very happy that I only found gold chains that was too short in Rayong. Our Time Keeper brought my silver chain to a gold shop in Bangkok when he went home when we were anchored at Map Ta Phut.

They will copy the silver chain for me and it takes 6 Baht of gold to do it. Expect the chain to be ready in 2 weeks. He had managed to cover the remaining of my amulets in silver and gold when he came back. He had also bought a loupe for me so now I can study my collection.

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Can study the magic with the new loupe

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Can study the magic with the new loupe

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Can study the magic with the new loupe

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Can study the magic with the new loupe

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Pump Man in my room


We do our morning gymnastics as much as we can, but we are mostly in port loading and discharging so there is not so much time. But we do whenever we have time. I have spent more money than I had wanted on MAGIC and our TIME KEEPER is always in my room trying to promote his MAGIC.

And I make videos that I send to MAMA and she think he have been on board too long and that he is going crazy. We will see if we have time to take a tour to Bangkok while discharging in Si Racha, ศรีราชา during voyage 20027. Slow discharging in Si Racha, ศรีราชา so we might have time to go Bongkot and pick up my gold chain that I have ordered.

SUPER MAGIC


Time passing very quickly and it is soon time to go home. I have booked and paid for my trip to USA and Canada. Bird watching in:

• Florida
• Rocky Mountains
• Ontario in Canada including the Niagara Falls
• Central Park in New York before flying back home again.

But now I am getting worried about the Corona virus. Maybe Thailand come up on some kind of a black list before I can enter USA. I really hope not. The Corona virus and our Agent have to get dressed properly before entering the terminals, full space style.

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Space style

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
2 old guys

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Leaving FSO2 Pathumabaha

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Leaving FSO2 Pathumabaha

Time is quick and we left FSO2 Pathumabaha for the second last time before I go home. I tried to order tuna on line but they were out of canned tuna in Bangkok. I had read in Bangkok Post that they were running out of canned and dry food because of the Corona virus. I ordered 200 cans in Rayong and I sent it to our Agent.

I will bring it home when I sign off. A little like the flooding of Bangkok when I had to go to the Eastern Seaboard to bunker water and canned tuna.

Discharging in Map Ta Put and pilot was on board at 04:00 in the morning of 16th of March and we left to drop the anchor. The on signers will be here around 10 o'clock and we will take off. Our time keeper helped me to pack my bag. I met the on signers in the stairs going down to the CCR.



The launch that had brought the on signers was waiting for us and we were in the boat after 30 minutes. Off signing AB had left 6 o'clock in the morning and it was our 2nd Officer and 2nd Engineer signing off together with me.

It was hot sitting in the sun, but never mind, on my way back home. But this time it was not as joyful as it used to be depending on the Corona virus. Will I be able to go to USA and Canada to look for birds? Running around in an empty town because of the Corona?

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด / Rayong, พระเครื่อง
Leaving Ribe Maersk behind

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด / Rayong, พระเครื่อง
Leaving Ribe Maersk behind

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด / Rayong, พระเครื่อง
Leaving Ribe Maersk behind

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด / Rayong, พระเครื่อง
2nd Officer and 2nd Engineer

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด / Rayong, พระเครื่อง
Leaving Ribe Maersk behind

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด / Rayong, พระเครื่อง
Leaving Ribe Maersk behind

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด / Rayong, พระเครื่อง
Leaving Ribe Maersk behind

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด / Rayong, พระเครื่อง
Leaving Ribe Maersk behind

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด / Rayong, พระเครื่อง
Arriving to the jetty in Rayong

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด / Rayong, พระเครื่อง
Arriving to the jetty in Rayong

Aladdin´s adventure on board Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด / Rayong, พระเครื่อง
Mama busy in her shop - No hugging today because of corona


I joined Ribe Mærsk on the 16th of December 2019 in Map Ta Phut and we did the below voyages before I signed off in Map Ta Phut on the 16th of March 2020:

Voy No.
Load Port
Cargo
Discharge Port

19013

Bongkot, บงกด
3 parcels of condensate on bord when I join the ship

Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด
I join the ship on Map Ta Put anchorage before discharging

19014

Bongkot, บงกด
70,000 Bbls of Bongkot condensate
145,000 Bbls Bongkot condensate

145,000 to Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด
70,000 to Si Racha, ศรีราชา


19015

Bongkot, บงกด
70,000 Bbls of Bongkot condensate (Loaded for Si Racha, ศรีราชา)
70,000 Bbls Arthit condensate
70,000 Bbls Bongkot condensate

70,000 to Si Racha, ศรีราชา, cancelled, all cargo to be discharged in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด

If the parcel to Si Racha, ศรีราชา is not passing lab test we will do STS to discharge this parcel



19016

Voyage cancelled due to broken emergency generator. We were not allowed to leave the anchorage before we had an emergency generator on board



19016

Bongkot, บงกด
130,000 Bbls of Bongkot condensate
60,000 Bbls Arthit condensate

All cargo for Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด



20017

Bongkot, บงกด
130,000 Bbls of Bongkot condensate
60,000 Bbls Arthit condensate

All cargo for Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด



20018

Bongkot, บงกด
125,000 Bbls of Bongkot condensate
55,000 Bbls Arthit condensate

All cargo for Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด



20019

Bongkot, บงกด
150,000 Bbls of Bongkot condensate
40,000 Bbls Bongkot condensate

150, 000 Bbls to be discharged at Si Racha, ศรีราชา
40, 000 bbla parcel to come back to Bongkot and to be discharged in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด on voyage 20020



20020

Bongkot, บงกด
50,000 Bbls of Arthit condensate
120,000 Bbls Bongkot condensate + 40,000 Bbls ROB from Voy 20019

All cargo to be discharged in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด



20021

Bongkot, บงกด
120,000 Bbls of Bongkot condensate
70,000 Bbls Bongkot condensate

All cargo to be discharged in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด on voyage 20020



20022

Bongkot, บงกด
50,000 Bbls of Arthit condensate
100,000 Bbls Bongkot condensate

All cargo to be discharged in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด

20023

Bongkot, บงกด
50,000 Bbls of Arthit condensate
120,000 Bbls Bongkot condensate

All cargo to be discharged in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด

20024

Bongkot, บงกด
165,000 Bbls Bongkot condensate
65,000 Bbls of Arthit condensate

Bongkot condensate for Si Racha, ศรีราชา
Arthit condensate to be discharged in Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด

20025

Bongkot, บงกด
140,000 Bbls Bongkot condensate
90,000 Bbls of Arthit condensate

Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด

20026

Bongkot, บงกด
90,000 Bbls Bongkot condensate
80,000 Bbls Bongkot condensate

Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด

20027

Bongkot, บงกด
40,000 Bbls Bongkot condensate
115,000 Bbls Bongkot condensate
35,000 Bbls Bongkot condensate

40,000 Bbls Bongkot condensate - Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด
115,000 Bbls Bongkot condensate - Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด
35,000 Bbls Bongkot condensate - Si Racha, ศรีราชา

20028

Bongkot, บงกด
65,000 Bbls Arthit condensate
125,000 Bbls Bongkot condensate

Map Ta Phut, มาบตาพุด
I go home

We meet our Driver and we load the car. There are already two boxes with canned tuna in the car that I had ordered. And one box with snus so it was not all that easy to load our luggage. We were soon on the way towards Bangkok.

We stopped at SEVEN so I could buy a few bottles of MAX and some pain killers, might come in handy if I get hit buy Corona during my self-quarantine in Bangkok.

Self-quarantine so I was surprised when we stopped at Burger King for lunch. I have arranged for milk, canned tuna etc. to last me for 3 to 4 months sitting in my self-quarantine in my apartment as I was going to avoid going to restaurants. No one seemed to care about the Corona so it was soon forgotten. Wearing a mask, what is the point?

I don't think people understand the point with the mask, people keeping them in their pockets, covering just their mouth and not the nose. Taking of the mask while eating and then put it on again, but then they would already have been infected by the people sitting around them. Or by eating the burgers using their unwashed hands only.

On the way to Bangkok
On the way to Bangkok

I was home around 3 o'clock, earlier than expected so I had time to go to the bank to pick up some raha for my new chain that I had ordered. But before going to pick up my chain I had to go TOPS Online shopback home to wait for a delivery from TOPS Market. Long life milk and some other things that can be needed for myself quarantine.

I unpacked all my parcels while waiting for TOPS. My kitchen is full of parcels from Amazon and Lazada. Solar driven lights and books. I had ordered National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America for my upcoming birding trip to USA and Canada next week. Ticket still not cancelled.

National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America
National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America

I was really happy with my emergency lights. Flash lights with solar cells and a hand cranked dynamo so now I have lights for emergency. I also got 5 different solar lights, one was not working and ended up in the garbage.

So now I have lights to last me during the night so I can read books to kill the boredom if the power plant technicians get the corona virus.

Not easy to crank the dynamo while making the a video


Solar cell light
Red led light indicating that the lights are charging

Solar cell light
Light enough for reading

Solar cell light
Flash light/ reading light combo

There was also several packages with vitamins and herbs that will help me protect myself from Corona. And just in case the vitamins won't work I have all my new magic to rely on. I put all my new magic in my display cabinet and I also have an instruction video on how to pray for good luck, corona protection and lottery win.

Thai Buddha amulet, พระเครื่อง
Thai Buddha amulet, พระเครื่อง


San Marino Tuna Paella
San Marino Tuna Paella from the Philippines

I was off to pick up my new chain and I was back home to leave some onions that I had bought and I took the same taxi to the airport to pick up my tuna from the Philippines. My favourite San San Marino Tuna PaellaMarino Tuna Paella that I was eating every time I was in Manila back in the days. Better than the breakfast including in the hotel price.

I was early at the airport, about one hour before scheduled arrival time. So I was lolling around for a while and I went to look at the ARRIVAL screen. The flight had arrived 1 hour early, 30 minutes ago so I went to look for my tuna.

I walked around the meeting point and no sign of anyone carrying tune. Suddenly a guy jumped forward shouting “CHIEF” and I was lucky that the AB recognised me.

We took a seat sitting down waiting for the Agent that still thought the flight would arrive at 21:50. The Agent arrived and he took care of the AB and I took a taxi back home.

Sukhumvit 23 - Baan Khanitha
Baan Khanitha

Sukhumvit 23 - Baan Khanitha
Baan Khanitha

I have a friend from Sweden in town and we decided to meet for a little something to eat. We went to Baan Khanitha on Sukhumvit Soi 23, the best Thai Restaurant I have ever been to. We were full by the time we left and we decided to walk down Sukhumvit Soi 23 and my friend was filming life while walking. He have some kind of live feed on internet people are watching.

Walking through Soi Cowboy and we took a taxi from Asok. Next stop New Cowboy on Sukhumvit Soi 22 were we will have a few Soda waters.

Sukhumvit 23 - Baan Khanitha
Soda at New Cowboy on Sukhumvit Soi 22

Of course, they recognised us at New Cowboy even though we had not been there for a very long time. The place was empty when we arrived and a bit later there was a couple coming in. We had our soda while calling an old friend we had no seen for many many years. We got invited to dinner at his house tomorrow so this is something we look forward to, will be fun to see him again.

And of course, I update our Time Keeper on board Ribe Maersk and he was quick to reply.

Our Time keeper is scared that I will catch Corona


Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Discharging in Srirach - Our Timekeeper update me on LINE

Ribe Maersk / Ribe Mærsk
Discharging in Srirach - Our Timekeeper update me on LINE

Saturday 21st and we leave for MEGA Bang Na, we will eat and have a look before we leave for our friends house not far away from MEGA Bang Na. We find a, we were looking for Wine Connection, a place with very good food but we end up at a place called “Wine and love” something.

Was a wee disappointment, but we were full when we left the restaurant. The cheese bread was OK, and the spinach gratin was OK, but the pizza was a disappointment.

They had tea, but no pots so I asked for fresh orange juice but ended up with orange juice from a pack. Well, we were full when we left.

WINE, I love you at MEGA Bang Na

WINE, I love you at MEGA Bang Na
Study the menu before going inside

WINE, I love you at MEGA Bang Na

WINE, I love you at MEGA Bang Na

WINE, I love you at MEGA Bang Na

Tops Market at MEGA Bang Na
Buying flowers

Tops Market at MEGA Bang Na
Buying flowers

Tops Market at MEGA Bang Na
In the smokers corner

Next stop is to buy flowers. My friend had told our friend that he would bring flowers and I was just thinking “what the duck?” Who brings flowers? Well, old folks maybe? Anyway I helped him with half the cost for the flowers, but he have to carry them by himself.

We had coffee and chocolate shake in the smoking area killing time and we went to the taxi stand just before 5. We got in to the taxi and it took a while before we knew where we were going as we had not been there before.

Bang Na
Tea Time

Bang Na

Bang Na

Bang Na

Bang Na

We arrived to our friend's house at 5 and BOOM! It was 10 o'clock in the evening. Time to go home, me and my friend took 2 different taxis and I was home around 11. They will close down all the shopping malls in Bangkok tomorrow. I will charge my batteries and prepare my birding equipment and I will try to go look for birds on Monday morning.

I ordered some Nature Valley snack bars for my bird watching together with a few cans of tuna and they had put two face masks with the groceries. All my air plane tickets have been cancelled and it looks like I will have to stay in Thailand for a very long time. Everything is closed down so I hope I can do bird watching.




       
                  


                                       

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