I took about 2,000 pictures and kept 1,183 for editing. You are doubtless grateful I haven't used them all. Forgive my self-indulgence, but there are still a few shots to put on record.
It is, of course, the crew, not the ship, I most remember. Here are just a few.
Third Mate Frederick Villanueva.
Oiler Ernesto Sicatin.
Bosun Chris Ramos.
Third Mate (there are always two) Gilbert Garduque, Able Seaman Oliver Legal and 'the cadet'. Properly pronouncing the delightful Hrvoje Musulin's name was impossible; everyone just calls him 'Herky'.
Poor old Herky pauses in front of the bridge on yet another dogsbody task.
Don't worry about Herky. With a master's degree and sea experience as an officer, he is likely to have a lucrative career in some form of shoreside maritime management. This voyage has taught him the perils of an entire career at sea.
Deck Fitter Domingo Garfin under the anchor chain. To see him, go to the barbecue in part thirty-nine. I just like the shot.
My hand on one of the links for perspective.
'Manny' Uytoco on the prowl for lose container lashings.
Second Engineer Bruno Tomic lectures on preventing oil and chemical spills. I will miss our ongoing joke about talking to the elevator (you had to be there).
Beyond the helmsman is Captain 'Boni', Captain Bonifacio Miramontes, responsible for Amber and cargo, together worth hundreds of millions, and twenty-four souls. This was taken in the Arabian Sea when facing a possible pirate attack.
Here he is in less troubled circumstances. I am grateful to have sailed with 'Boni' in command.
Few have the time or, likely, inclination for such a voyage. It was, as have been all my freighter trips, an education. The sea is unforgiving and we should be grateful for those who man all the anonymous, battered, essential ships about which most of us never think.
One last picture (an envoi of kinds). Able Seaman Elmer Sedicol, with whom I passed many pleasant hours on Amber's bridge, and the CMA CGM house flag.
