Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Cured!

Our Building
The beautiful Maritime Heritage Centre in Campbell River, BC




Normally, I get sick on boats.
Smaller boats:
We went whale watching off the coast of Oregon.
It was a beautiful, sunny, calm day.
The sea was 'running smooth', as our captain informed us.
We scurried awkwardly aboard.
And took up places of advantage to watch for the great denizens of the deep.
The boat put out.
And I immediately turned green.
And stayed that way until we returned to the dock and I once more stood upon terra firma.
We tried once again at Cape Cod.
You can read that story here.
My Husby took me on a cruise on a beautiful ship:
We had every every luxury.
Gourmet meals.
Exceptional service.
Deluxe accommodation of every sort.
And I spent the entire week battling nausea.
Until I was standing once more on solid ground.
Sigh.
Yesterday, we toured the Maritime Heritage Centre in Campbell River, BC.
Took the excellent and informative tour with our guide, Fred.
Poked about through displays of things nautical.
Tried out Captain's wheels.
Tested the rope-tying.
Exclaimed over the ingenuity, creativity and artistic talents of Canada's seafaring people.
And finally clambered all over the only known example of a wooden seiner in its original configuration still in existence, the BCP45.
And I do mean all over.
We wandered about the deck.
Peered into the now remarkably fish-free hold.
Took a turn at the helm.
Sat in the minute kitchen and heard 'fishing' stories.
Climbed down into the engine room and studied the behemoth that gave this tidy little ship power and electricity.
Stared askance (Ooh! Good word!) at the tiny bunking facilities that once were home to a crew of six.
And generally spent a wonderful hour, exploring.
And I realized, as I crossed the walkway back that I had just spent time on an ocean-going vessel and not once did I feel the least bit queasy.
It was a breakthrough!
And as long as every boat I get on is standing perfectly still on supports in the middle of a giant display room, my seasickness and I can permanently part ways.
Yep. Cured!

My new best friend





National Historic Site
As you may remember it

7 comments:

  1. I rarely travel without Dramamine!

    Yours in seasickness,

    Pearl

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  2. lol Good for you!
    I love the lulling of the waves on a boat.
    It gives you the sleepy feeling.
    But it's when the waves become huge that it becomes a little disconcerting.

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  3. I have the same problem with buses, not that I've ever been on a bus on the open sea you understand. Glad you finhally found a boat you can love.

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  4. The best place to be 'Whale Watching' is across the street from the local Crispy Cream donut shop. SLAP! Sorry, couldn't resist...

    Aside from that, I do relish taking a tour of those old vessels. A crewman on one of those had to be a special kind.

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  5. Normally I have 'sea legs' and do well. There was only once when I was clutching a bucket. Glad you have found your place on the ocean, with solid piers piling beneath.

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  6. Oh that is a good cure congratulations I have never went on a cruise I am pretty sure I would not like it. I have never thrown up on a ship in the air on stilts either. B

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  7. What a cute story, thank you for the laugh:)

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