14 Oct 65 : Special moments on board : Cap Finisterre, Pacific Ocean

This continues the letter dated 10th October 1965, which began:

Pacific Ocean,

Dear family,

Thursday 14th October

Something strange is happening today. Today is Thursday 14th and tomorrow is Saturday 16th!!

This is because tonight we cross the International Date Line. It’s all very odd, but we are assured that we make up our lost day on our way back around the globe. Then we will experience the same day twice.

We are plodding along steadily. We have passed two South Sea Islands since leaving Tahiti and last night passed a ship, all these are great ‘events’ and everyone rushes to see them.

I had some good news this morning. I was told that I can have all five days off in Sydney and Melbourne, which is great. Also we lose some passengers there so our work will get a bit easier too.

The two fellows I work with a great fun and we have a lot of laughs. They both have an excellent sense of humour, which is unusual for Germans. Gustav the chief steward is 25, and Heinz the second steward is 20.

To be continued… 

Note from Tony: I remember one incident from that section of the journey very well. One evening, I had finished work and was in my cabin when Heinz rushed in and said ‘Tony, Tony, quick – come and see!’ I dashed out after him, along corridors and upstairs onto the deck, expecting to see something special – an island, another ship, a whale?

Instead, Heinz pointed to the most glorious sunset – saying ‘Isn’t that beautiful?’ He was right. For both of us, that sunset was ‘a great event’.

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