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The PK POV (A Peter Knego Blog)
From "Aloha" To "Arrividerci", The MONTEREY Blog: Page Three
REPORT THREE: Thursday, September 19, 2006
By Peter Knego
Our final day at sea, from MONTEREY's Sun Deck. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2006.
I am writing from Coach 17, Seat 22V on the train from Barcelona to Perpignan. The remnants of yesterday's storm in the Gulf of Lyon lingers in the sky. Here in second class, the seats are sagging and the windows are smudged. AÊprimitive heart has been finger drawn into the dusty pane across from me.
Moments ago, the conductor asked for my ticket and passport. The signage outside the train has transformed from Spanish to French. The lush green foothills of the Pyrenees are now on other side of us. I am feeling somewhat melancholy that our week on board MONTEREY came and went so quickly, but a new adventure lies ahead. We are on our way to visit the old former Australian coastal liner MOONTA, which is now serving as a floating restaurant and casino in the sands of the French coastal town, Le Barcares.
But first, time to catch up on the events of the past two days...
From top to bottom: Aft from MONTEREY's port bridge wing; the wheelhouse, facing starboard; and one of the ship's original telegraphs. Photos and copyright Peter Knego 2006.
Sunday was spent mainly in repose. It was a picture perfect day with dramatic clouds, moderate head winds, and brilliant blue seas. After our usual breakfast in the Cafe de Paris, we were treated to a tour of the bridge. Captain Russo appeared to answer questions about the vintage brass equipment and the modern navigation devices. Trying to get decent video footage from the wings and flying bridge proved to be a challenge in the wind.
From top to bottom: The Cafe de Paris; facing aft along the starboard Promenade Deck; the pristine, fully-encircling Boat Deck, shown facing aft from port; and the vast, open Sports Deck, shown facing forward from starboard. Photos and copyright Peter Knego 2006.
The rest of the day was spent packing, eating an al fresco lunch at Cafe de Paris again, and lying around in various deck areas enjoying the majesty of the MONTEREY. Immaculate and steady she went, as Christopher (who came up with the title of this entry) lingered over our childhood memories. He told me about attending the last "official" PFEL night on board when dignitaries were invited to a fund-raising dinner in San Francisco. In his recollection, it was a gloomy, sad day.
Reliving the cover of the 1975 Chandris brochure, sort of. Facing out to sea from the starboard promenade. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2006.
In posh wooden deck chairs on the starboard promenade, we both recalled the 1975 Chandris Lines brochure depicting a similar but well-worn promenade on the ELLINIS, the MONTEREY's former running mate, LURLINE. Once a Matson liner, always a Matson liner!
The face of today's MONTEREY. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2006.
In the late afternoon as we head into the sun, the friendly safety officer offered to take me to the fo'c'sle for my coveted "face" shot of the MONTEREY's superstructure. We spent some further time on the bridge, where I was able to chat with the navigating officer about his time on the Australian-based FAIRSTAR. The faint, rocky outline on our starboard horizon grew into a sprawling, mountainous island. Soon, the cliffs of Mallorca were in view and the seas were dotted with pleasure craft. MONTEREY's last regularly scheduled passenger carrying day of the season was near its end. As the sun set, we entered the gaping mouth of Palma's bustling harbor. The giant cathedral in the city center was bathed in golden light, like a great beacon. At the other end of the seemingly endless terminal was the little VISTAMAR, the only other cruise ship in port.
MONTEREY at night, from top to bottom: the funnel as seen from the Palma passenger terminal; facing aft from the large observation area on forward Boat Deck; overlooking the lido prior to the deck party; facing aft along the port promenade. Photos and copyright Peter Knego 2006.
Christopher, Michael, and I ventured off to visit the city, but I was too haunted by the sight of the brilliantly lit MONTEREY to continue. Instead, I returned to the ship for a series of hopefully interesting night shots. By the time the other two returned, it was time to enjoy the pasta buffet on the lido. Copious amounts of penne arabiatta, pesto lasagne, and tortellini alfredo were consumed, prompting me to consider an appointment at a good lipo clinic when I return. We had one final walk around deck under the stars as MONTEREY set her course for Barcelona.
Monday, September 18, 2006: From my perch outside the Cafe de Paris, the only visible passenger ship approached off our starboard stern. The dark blue hull and squared off superstructure resembled one of Holland America's Vista Class ships, but when it got closer, I could see it was Pullmantur's BLUE DREAM. At least I got the "square" and "blue" right.
Top, MONTEREY backs into her berth as BLUE DREAM prepares to follow. OCEANIC, CRYSTAL SERENITY, and LEGEND OF THE SEAS are among the already docked cruise ships in the outer terminal. Center, royal suite 230 (category 14), one of the former Lanai suites, facing starboard. Cabin 331 (category six -- an original Matson inside), facing forward (thanks, Wayne!). Photos and copyright Peter Knego 2006.
When Barcelona appeared in the lazy gloom, a mind-boggling line up of cruise ships appeared, beginning at the outer terminus with RCI's LEGEND OF THE SEAS, Crystal's CRYSTAL SERENITY, and the lovely OCEANIC. BLUE DREAM would take the berth between SERENITY and OCEANIC and MONTEREY would berth at the end nearest the bridge. Once she tied up, MONTEREY's disembarkation was very quick, allowing me a very limited time in which to try and document her various cabin categories. We awaited a call from the safety officer, who offered to take us for a quick visit to the engine room, but due to a storm off France, the ship would have to leave earlier than her scheduled 1:00 PM departure. Thus, we were the last passengers to debark before she would deadhead back to Genoa. As we descended the metal gangway, the blue and white MSC flags were being stowed and the first of the ship's lines were being loosened.
After disembarking all of her passengers, MONTEREY dead heads to Genoa. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2006.
I left Mike in the terminal with our luggage (Christopher left for an early flight) and raced up the embankment to the bridge to position myself for her departure. A large blue tug at her stern, wide open decks empty save for one of her security officers at the stern rail, MONTEREY gradually edged out from the pier. Absolutely pristine, she managed to sparkle in the gloom as she head into the lower harbor.
Left, the OCEAN VILLAGE and, right, the GRAND MISTRAL, appear to be facing off at Barcelona. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2006.
From across the bridge, I took a quick moment to document the other ships near the World Trade Center: ISLAND ESCAPE (ex SCANDINAVIA, STARDANCER, VIKING SERENADE), OCEAN VILLAGE (ex SITMAR FAIRMAJESTY, STAR PRINCESS, ARCADIA), GRAND MISTRAL (ex MISTRAL) and NEW FLAMENCO.
When I reached the breakwater across from the terminals, MONTEREY came back into view, entering a silver streak of sunlit sea, plume of smoke overhead. A waterspout had appeared off to the north, touching down in MONTEREY's path. The dark gray skies closed in, bringing wind and rain as MONTEREY's silhouette grew dimmer and dimmer.
From top to bottom at Barcelona: the NEW FLAMENCO at the World Trade Center terminal; OCEAN VILLAGE; the lineup in the outer harbor, from OCEANIC on the left to BLUE DREAM, CRYSTAL SERENITY, and LEGEND OF THE SEAS; CRYSTAL SERENITY; ISLAND ESCAPE. Photos by Mike Masino and Peter Knego, copyright P.K. Productions 2006.
After taxiing to our hotel, the highly recommended Expo, we returned to take the harbor cruise. The skies had cleared completely by the time we climbed up to the observation point at Vista Mar. The panorama of departures began with NEW FLAMENCO at 4:00 PM and ended with OCEAN VILLAGE at 6:15. We ended the day in Barcelona before returning to our hotel.
The train has now arrived at Portbou station. Perpignan and our next adventure are 45 minutes away....
End of Part Three
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