Dale Stenseth's Freighter Odyssey
Itinerary: Oct. 18, 2008-Feb. 19, 2009
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10/11/08 This will be the last update to this page for the next 4 months. While I won't have internet access, I am able to update my journal BLOG by satellite phone. Today, the Rickmers Jakarta is east of the Yucatan, headed north. I have tracked it by satellite. You can too, using this link. Click on the world map. It requires JAVA to be enabled on your computer. I'll be driving south early Sunday morning. 10/07/08 Update: Further delay. I was asked to switch to the Rickmers Jakarta, which could keep the same schedule. Can send and receive emails on a special satellite email address, but probably will not have internet access. 9/26/08 Update: Notified of a 2 week delay in arrival at Houston. People ask 'Why am I doing this?', and 'How did you find out about this?' I can only answer, 'It is in my Norwegian genes.' The mountains and the oceans call me. Ancestors skied endlessly in the mountains near Bodo. Distant relatives of my Viking ancestors settled Greenland. When I can see the ocean, I am at peace. Walking in the surf, or even on the sand, is a great pleasure. I think I saw an ad for freighter cruises in an adventure magazine, 2 years ago. The ship I will travel on is the Rickmers Jakarta. This is one of 9 ships in the 'Round-The-World Pearl String Service'. Under more normal weather and economic conditions, a ship departs from Houston twice each month. Each has a crew of 33, and may carry a few passengers. The best part about international travel by ship versus aircraft, is being able to sleep horizontally. How cool is that? Tidbits of the North Metro (9/22/08) claims there are 350 maritime attacks by pirates per year. This week I only need to pack and buy remaining supplies. Of course, there are the remaining satellite phone issues. 10/8/08 New ticket received, and new contract signed for Rickmers Jakarta. Created Freighter BLOG. 9/26/08 Satellite phone and adapters RECEIVED. Now I have to figure out how to make it play nice with my laptop. Argh! 9/19/08 Ticket RECEIVED! 9/17/08 Received 2-entry China visa. 9/12/08 Applied for absentee ballot. 8/1/08 Travel clinic. Typhoid 4-part, oral vaccination. Everything else is up to date. Malaria meds and emergency antibiotics. 8/8/08 Arranged mandated emergency air evacuation insurance. 8/11/08 Medical release signed by my doctor, because there is no doctor on board. 8/12/08 Contract for Carriage signed. 8/22/08 Bought a German power adapter plug for electronic toys: laptop, cameras, ipod. |
| Day | Date | Position | Likely ports | Possible ports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10/18/08 | 30°N 95°W | Embark, Houston, USA | |
| October | New Orleans, LA Newport News, VA Camden, NJ | Savannah, Baltimore, Philadelphia, NYC | ||
| 15-21 | 10/27- 11/01 | Atlantic Ocean crossing | ||
| 22-25 | November | 51°N 4°E | Antwerp, Belgium | Immingham/Liverpool, UK |
| 25-27 | November | 53°N 9°E | Hamburg, Germany | |
| 38-39 | 11/15/08 | 44°N 8°E | Genoa, Italy | |
| 40-42 | 11/17 | 30°N 32°E | Suez Canal passage | |
| 45 | 11/25/08 | 29°N 48°E | Kuwait | |
| 48 | 12/01/08 | 6°S 106°E | Jakarta, Indonesia | Chennai, India; Surabaya, Indonesia; Tanjumg Jati, Indonesia; Ko Sichang/Maptaphut, Thailand |
| 59 | 12/05- 12/9/08 | 1°N 103°E | Singapore | |
| 61 | 12/17/08 | 22°N 114°E | Hong Kong | |
| December | Ho Chi Minh City, VN; Shanghai, China; Dalian, China | Phu My/Haiphong, Viet Nam; Kaohsiung, Taiwan | ||
| January | Xingang, China; Qingdao, China; Masan, South Korea; | Inchon/Onson/Ulsan, S.Korea; Yangpu/Fangcheng, China; | ||
| January | 35°N 134°E | Kobe, Japan; Yokohama, Japan | Ishigaki/Hitachi, Japan | |
| 107-121 | 2/01- 2/14/09 | Pacific Ocean crossing | ||
| 122-123 | 2/15/09 | 9°N 79°W | Panama Canal passage | Long Beach, USA |
| 125 | 2/19/09 | 30°N 95°W | Disembark Houston |
Freighter Cruise Links
- My 10/2008 Freighter cruise!
- Rickmers Jakarta - Picture & position data
- Freighter Cruises - Maris Freighter & Specialty Cruises.
- Freighter World
- Travel Tips
- Internet guide to freighter cruises
- Freighter Cruise Review - Magazine
- Escape Artist - Freighter Cruises