Have you been inside a cargo ship?

No? Well, neither have I. But it was thisclose.

You see, when the father-in-law – who is a seafarer by profession – had a two-week docking period in the Philippines amid an eight-month journey across international waters, we were invited to come aboard for a tour of the massive Panamanian-owned cargo ship Alstroemeria.

This mom was all up for the adventure  but unfortunately, the thirty-minute trek through a worn steel bridge (with some dilapidated rails supported only by thin strings of wire) from the granary to the vessel was quite dangerous for Lia (She wouldn’t let anybody else take care of her anyway.). I decided to just say pass. For now.

Huuuuge canisters of grains at the Nation Granary Port in Sariaya, Quezon.

These are animal feeds being processed inside the cargo ship.

The husband did say though that it is more commanding and more handsome from the outside than when you’re on the inside. Wouldn’t really know as I wasn’t exactly there.

Here are some photos he and the sister-in-law took back home:

Sister-in-law at the chief mate’s office. Bagay no?

This room is strictly for the officers’ dining pleasure only. Didn’t know velvet ropes  existed in ships too.

The chief mate’s bedroom was cozier than the room we had back at the hotel. It is equipped with a queen-sized bed, ref, a workstation, a receiving area, and a lush toilet and bath .

Despite what you’ve seen in Titanic, it’s not the captain who’s behind the wheel. Apparently, the captain only makes the orders. A subordinate called the”timonil” steers and turns that little wheel over there. And no, that is not the timonil. That’s my husband. LOL.

Contrary to what I’ve always imagined, a ship’s machinery is not flocked by sweaty porter guys shoving hot coal to a huge vault. Nor is it swathed in dirt and grease. Turns out it is cleaner than our dirty kitchen and runs entirely  on engine, much like cars (What era am I in anyway? Sheesh.). The engineers manipulate the machines in a separate air conditioned control room.

According to the FIL, the lower submerged part of the ship (painted in red) is just as tall as the visible upper portion (in black). So, uhm, I might have miscalculated. The cargo ship may be waaay higher than 50 feet.