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Kaushal's Excellent Northern Adventure Blog by Kaushal Trivedi
Published September 2007.
Maritime Matters is pleased to post a blog received by our good friend, Kaushal Trivedi, reporting from his voyage this past winter to Helgoland
on board the WAPPEN VON HAMBURG with passenger ship enthusiast, Steffen Weirauch. Kaushal lives in Bhavnagar, India with his wife, Malvika
and family and, via his company, Inca Maritime, works in the shipping industry.
The WAPPEN VON HAMBURG awaits at Cuxhaven. Photo and copyright Kaushal Trivedi 2007.
WAPPEN VON HAMBURG's builder's plate. Photo and copyright Kaushal Trivedi 2007.
"I embarked on my first voyage aboard the WAPPEN VON HAMBURG in the port of Cuxhaven on the eveing before her last seasonal sailing to Helgoland. It was not until we were on the ship that my friend, Steffen Weirauch, informed me that she was being transferred to another service and that after this trip, she might never return to Helgoland. We reached Cuxhaven late in the evening and found a nice cabin on board so that we could enjoy the ship. It was a fantastic experience for me to sleep on board any live ship, especially before experiencing my first cruise anywhere outside of Greece. The cabin was a nice, cozy one with a mahogany-framed bed and doors and a small table with one drawer.
In the morning, I was awakened by the noises of people embarking. I went outside to see if any vessels were leaving the port. The weather was cool and seemed all the more cool for a person like me, coming from the tropics but it never dampened my enthusiasm.
The Light Tower at Cuxhaven. Photo and copyright Kaushal Trivedi 2007.
The MV BOUDICCA, as seen through the lens of Kaushal Trivedi. Photo and copyright Kaushal Trivedi 2007.
Looking out to sea from sea level. Photo and copyright Kaushal Trivedi 2007.
When we left Cuxhaven harbour, I saw the Light Mast of Cuxhaven and, later, to my surprise (and Steffen's surprise, as well), we saw MV BOUDICCA pass by us on her port side. Below, when I went in my room, I found one of the best sights ever -- the swirling water outside the port hole!
Over the bow of WAPPEN VON HAMBURG as the ship sails toward Helgoland. Photo and copyright Kaushal Trivedi 2007.
The handsome ATLANTIS joins WAPPEN VON HAMBURG at Helgoland. Photo and copyright Kaushal Trivedi 2007.
Once we neared Helgoland, I went on the top deck and took some photos. It was quite windy and my body was not accustomed to the weather but no complaints, at all! When we entered the harbour, I saw one other vessel, ATLANTIS, which also takes people to and from Helgoland. She was looking small from my "big"ship!
The WAPPEN VON HAMBURG in the sunlight off Helgoland. Photo and copyright Kaushal Trivedi 2007.
We disembarked on one of the last tender boats and took one very good snap of the majestic WAPPEN VON HAMBURG, possibly my first ever shot of an anchored ship that would enjoy taking another voyage. The water was crystal clear and Helgoland's red soil was a perfect contrast to the shore. I was informed that this island was traded by Germans with Brits by giving them Zanzibar and it was good deal, I suppose. It is also a "duty free paradise" and a nice place for a quick holiday in the North Sea.
Kaushal, reporting from Helgoland. Photo by Steffen Weirauch, copyright Kaushal Trivedi 2007. Photo and copyright Kaushal Trivedi 2007.
"They just ignore you." Photo and copyright Kaushal Trivedi 2007.
We climbed the cliff and walked around the island. It was great fun and it gave me perspective about holiday making activities in that part of the world. On the way to the top, there is also a very good view of the harbor and I could see some smaller ships along with ours. On top of the island, you can see spectacular red cliffs and some some seagulls, which just ignore you.
It was quite a sight when the WAPPEN left Helgoland! Lots of small fishing/ tender boats followed and saluted us, since it was her last voyage before winter lay up. Our trip back was nice, calm and a bit tiring. We said good bye to the WAPPEN VON HAMBURG at Cuxhaven harbour and thought of sailing on her again in the future.
The FRIEDERICH at Bremen. Photo and copyright Kaushal Trivedi 2007.
On the next day, we saw one very old and beautiful vessel, the FRIEDERICH, which was laid up in the River Weser in Bremen.
The SS ROTTERDAM undergoing refurbishment at Wilhelmshaven. Photo and copyright Kaushal Trivedi 2007.
Then, at Wilhelmshaven, there was the sight of the majestic ROTTERDAM! She is such a beauty, a real jewel. I hope to visit her sometime in the future. Man, what a stature she has at the north pier!"
End
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