Hey Fellas!
Like most of you already know, the journey ended for serious reasons known, so finally I wouldn't be able to reach Pongo-Pongo
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Baltic Cruise almost finished
Hey everyone!
So, we've been to Oslo, Copenhagen, Travemude, Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallinn and now we are on the way back to Southampton...
We had some good times outside, the weather was outstanding everywhere, and the Sunsets were at like 11 p.m. so we even could enjoy a cigarette open deck after our shifts in the evening. Awesome
This time I didn't take any pictures, but we will do the same cruise one month from now, so don't worry, you won't miss them.
The motherland took it's toll of 200 USD, which I have lost paying my bus ticket I think, which kinda ruined my whole day, but I'm over it now. I must have owed it to the Devil...
Days are going by super fast, and day after tomorrow, I will have a visitor for the first time, who is my love actually, so I'm looking forward, and I'm pretty enthusiastic!!!!
Today was crew bottle sales day, which means we get a great promotion on all of the drinks that are available on board. Tonight it's white star party again, when beer and wine are for free for us, and there are quite a few good things to eat as well. We re gonna have some happy hours!
OK thats all for now. C u soon
So, we've been to Oslo, Copenhagen, Travemude, Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallinn and now we are on the way back to Southampton...
We had some good times outside, the weather was outstanding everywhere, and the Sunsets were at like 11 p.m. so we even could enjoy a cigarette open deck after our shifts in the evening. Awesome
This time I didn't take any pictures, but we will do the same cruise one month from now, so don't worry, you won't miss them.
The motherland took it's toll of 200 USD, which I have lost paying my bus ticket I think, which kinda ruined my whole day, but I'm over it now. I must have owed it to the Devil...
Days are going by super fast, and day after tomorrow, I will have a visitor for the first time, who is my love actually, so I'm looking forward, and I'm pretty enthusiastic!!!!
Today was crew bottle sales day, which means we get a great promotion on all of the drinks that are available on board. Tonight it's white star party again, when beer and wine are for free for us, and there are quite a few good things to eat as well. We re gonna have some happy hours!
OK thats all for now. C u soon
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Norway
Hey everyone! Now this is really hard to explain in words how beautiful the fjords are! This is just amazing. So far we've been to Stavanger, Flamm and today in
Geiranger (23). I went out at Flamm and Geiranger so that makes me quite tired as well. (Going out means no sleeping XD ) I've made shit loads of photos, let
them talk about the place instead of me. You can all find out for yourselves what you think about these magnificent sceneries.
The weather is quite chilled (about 13 degrees centigrade). During the night it's light till 23-24!!! wonderful. I also have the oportunity to have a break in the
morning shift before the service starts, and as you can see on the photos, some of them were made from deck 10 while we were still not at the port. That's
a great oportunity to discover the fjords. Really I'm Speechless.
Ok, see you soon!
Ciao
Geiranger (23). I went out at Flamm and Geiranger so that makes me quite tired as well. (Going out means no sleeping XD ) I've made shit loads of photos, let
them talk about the place instead of me. You can all find out for yourselves what you think about these magnificent sceneries.
The weather is quite chilled (about 13 degrees centigrade). During the night it's light till 23-24!!! wonderful. I also have the oportunity to have a break in the
morning shift before the service starts, and as you can see on the photos, some of them were made from deck 10 while we were still not at the port. That's
a great oportunity to discover the fjords. Really I'm Speechless.
Ok, see you soon!
Ciao
Great news
Hey everyone! I have good news for you: From the 26 of may I will move to another station on the Line in Britannia restaurant, which means, I will have more
responsibility, and different stuff to serve. My chef also told me if I can fit this job and I'm doing as well as so far, I will be promoted soon to Demi-Chef, which
comes with a raise of my current salary (1900 USD) to 2800 USD per month
responsibility, and different stuff to serve. My chef also told me if I can fit this job and I'm doing as well as so far, I will be promoted soon to Demi-Chef, which
comes with a raise of my current salary (1900 USD) to 2800 USD per month
Back to basics
Hey fellas! Since the 19th of April I'b back on the breakfast shift! No more veg prep!!! That makes me feel real good, and now again I can go out during the day,
have a decent sleep during the afternoon if I wanted to. Priceless. I'm doing the same thing as before: pancakes, banana pancakes, waffles, blueberry pancakes,
oat meal, cream of wheat etc.
Now we are heading to Norway, can't wait to see the scenery...
Cheers
have a decent sleep during the afternoon if I wanted to. Priceless. I'm doing the same thing as before: pancakes, banana pancakes, waffles, blueberry pancakes,
oat meal, cream of wheat etc.
Now we are heading to Norway, can't wait to see the scenery...
Cheers
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Barcelona
Cheers guyz! We have just left the shores of Barcelona and heading back to Southampton via
Gibraltar. Unfortunately I couldn't go out today :(
We had a Health Environment Safety and Security training today, because on the 19th an international group is coming to supervise the conditions onboard...
Every week we have several trainings concerning safety, security, etc. Very strict regulations keep the Queen on the top of all cruise ships. I think I haven't mentioned that we have selective garbage system, energy saving everything, and many other things to keep our environment clean and healthy.
We also had a Flu vaccination few weeks back. I'm sorry, but there are so many things happening everyday, and I have so little time to share this with u, that I might have skipped important things. Would u please forgive me that :)
I also wanted to mention, that this whole blog stuff couldn't have been launched without my brothers help. I'm using his e-book here from day one. Thumbs up bro.
That is it for today.
C u guyz!
Gibraltar. Unfortunately I couldn't go out today :(
We had a Health Environment Safety and Security training today, because on the 19th an international group is coming to supervise the conditions onboard...
Every week we have several trainings concerning safety, security, etc. Very strict regulations keep the Queen on the top of all cruise ships. I think I haven't mentioned that we have selective garbage system, energy saving everything, and many other things to keep our environment clean and healthy.
We also had a Flu vaccination few weeks back. I'm sorry, but there are so many things happening everyday, and I have so little time to share this with u, that I might have skipped important things. Would u please forgive me that :)
I also wanted to mention, that this whole blog stuff couldn't have been launched without my brothers help. I'm using his e-book here from day one. Thumbs up bro.
That is it for today.
C u guyz!
Queens Grill
Hey everybody!
I just posted my request to the executive chef to transfer me to the Queens Grill, because I think that's the department where I can learn the most out of all of the galleys on board. Maybe I get lucky enough to get out of the veg prep. Fingers crossed.
Other stuff:
I've been out in Ajaccio (FR) and today (14 may) Cannes. It's the best place I've been so far. It has sunny sandy beach on the shore, but the city is like a decent european city. Like Geneva or the Váci street in Budapest. By the way the Film Festival was going on :) lovely place.
I will soon post some pictures of them.
Ciao
I just posted my request to the executive chef to transfer me to the Queens Grill, because I think that's the department where I can learn the most out of all of the galleys on board. Maybe I get lucky enough to get out of the veg prep. Fingers crossed.
Other stuff:
I've been out in Ajaccio (FR) and today (14 may) Cannes. It's the best place I've been so far. It has sunny sandy beach on the shore, but the city is like a decent european city. Like Geneva or the Váci street in Budapest. By the way the Film Festival was going on :) lovely place.
I will soon post some pictures of them.
Ciao
About jobs
Hey Guyz! With this one, I only want to explain what i've been doing so far...
First two weeks: I was on 'the line' XD
Line means a line where several stations with different kinds of food are being served to the waiters by order. During breakfast I was responsible for pancakes (plain, banana, and blueberry), waffles, french toast, oat meal, and cream wheat. In the afternoon, it was changing day by day according to the daily menu. The evening shifts are much more busy. Basicly there are at least 3 chefs at one station shouting like Russel Crowe "hold the line" XD... we were just assembling the dishes, everything were in chavers, but once something is finished, we shouted to the preparation area for supply (like: broccoli!!!!, snowpeas!!! etc.) Great teamwork.
Every day we had two seatings (800 passengers approximately at one seating)
Second two weeks: Vegetable preparation plus on the line in the evening
We are preparing vegetables during the day, according to the daily menus, and orders from all other departments then Britannia. (the line is in the galley of Britannia Restaurant) There are couple more, like the Lido, which is a buffet, Veranda, which is an a la carte restaurant, and Queens Grill, which is the best restaurant on board (also a la carte) Hundreds of kilos of vegetables we wash, peel, trim and cut in different styles. And the night shifts I'm also working on the line as before, but just serving, I don't have to set up my station like before...
So that's it
cheers guys
First two weeks: I was on 'the line' XD
Line means a line where several stations with different kinds of food are being served to the waiters by order. During breakfast I was responsible for pancakes (plain, banana, and blueberry), waffles, french toast, oat meal, and cream wheat. In the afternoon, it was changing day by day according to the daily menu. The evening shifts are much more busy. Basicly there are at least 3 chefs at one station shouting like Russel Crowe "hold the line" XD... we were just assembling the dishes, everything were in chavers, but once something is finished, we shouted to the preparation area for supply (like: broccoli!!!!, snowpeas!!! etc.) Great teamwork.
Every day we had two seatings (800 passengers approximately at one seating)
Second two weeks: Vegetable preparation plus on the line in the evening
We are preparing vegetables during the day, according to the daily menus, and orders from all other departments then Britannia. (the line is in the galley of Britannia Restaurant) There are couple more, like the Lido, which is a buffet, Veranda, which is an a la carte restaurant, and Queens Grill, which is the best restaurant on board (also a la carte) Hundreds of kilos of vegetables we wash, peel, trim and cut in different styles. And the night shifts I'm also working on the line as before, but just serving, I don't have to set up my station like before...
So that's it
cheers guys
Saturday, May 7, 2011
It's been a while... :(
Hey everyone! First of all I would like to say sorry again for not being able to post every day, but the thing is, that I'm really busy, and when I have free time it's always convenient to have a decent sleep :)
Ok, these last days I've installed myself in the veg prep department, and I'm working on the line in the evening hours. I work 12 hours a day, and I can sleep about 6-7 horus as well. Not that bad. But sometimes we have some beers, and chat with the guys, which ruins the day after XD.
I'm doing well, I wash my cloths, I iron them, I live on my own, and so far so good. With Vic, day by day we discover something in common. It's astonishing. Two guys living so far from each other, have the same style, same way of thinking, same sunglasses, same razors, same aproach to cuisine... Awsome!
Oh god I've got so many things to tell...
So far, I've been to Amsterdam, Zeebrugge, and Southampton. All of them were very exciting, and pleasant.
We have our new executive chef, and Jean-Marie Zimmerman is on board as well! For those who don't know who he is, he is the Culinary Ambassador of Cunard Lines, which means, that he is in charge of Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth regarding food. That makes him a big Pimp XD
Today I've talked to the executive, and he will arrange me a chat with Monsieur Zimmermann. I would like to talk to him about my future, get some advice, how to go on, to build up my carrier. I hope it's gonna work!
Tomorrow we're going to arrive to Gibraltar!
That's all for today, take care guyz, C u soon
Ok, these last days I've installed myself in the veg prep department, and I'm working on the line in the evening hours. I work 12 hours a day, and I can sleep about 6-7 horus as well. Not that bad. But sometimes we have some beers, and chat with the guys, which ruins the day after XD.
I'm doing well, I wash my cloths, I iron them, I live on my own, and so far so good. With Vic, day by day we discover something in common. It's astonishing. Two guys living so far from each other, have the same style, same way of thinking, same sunglasses, same razors, same aproach to cuisine... Awsome!
Oh god I've got so many things to tell...
So far, I've been to Amsterdam, Zeebrugge, and Southampton. All of them were very exciting, and pleasant.
We have our new executive chef, and Jean-Marie Zimmerman is on board as well! For those who don't know who he is, he is the Culinary Ambassador of Cunard Lines, which means, that he is in charge of Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth regarding food. That makes him a big Pimp XD
Today I've talked to the executive, and he will arrange me a chat with Monsieur Zimmermann. I would like to talk to him about my future, get some advice, how to go on, to build up my carrier. I hope it's gonna work!
Tomorrow we're going to arrive to Gibraltar!
That's all for today, take care guyz, C u soon
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Veg Prep :(
Hey guyz! Today we have our new Chef de Cuisine onboard, the other one went home for vacation. The new one inmediately told me that I should work from mow on on the vegetable preparation downstairs. Quite fucked up. So far I enjoyed my job, I got used to it, now my whole day is gonna be different. Shit. To look at the positive side, i only start at 8:30 in the morning instead of 4:30 XD! Right now we are at see, tomorrow we're gonna arrive in Amsterdam, where we stay for the whole night.
We're going out with Vic (my roomie)
C U
We're going out with Vic (my roomie)
C U
Enjoy the little things
Hey Everyone!
Today (29) we had the honour to participate the famous chefs parade, which is held at the end of each cruise. Chefs parade is held for all the chefs on board. At the last supper, we made a small parade in the dining area, and our guests welcomed us with a huge applause, and celebrated us as individuals! It was just wonderful!
Other things: We're changing our clocks quite often, which makes our sleeping even harder sometimes :(
Can't wait to get to Amsterdam and Bruges!!!!
See you
Today (29) we had the honour to participate the famous chefs parade, which is held at the end of each cruise. Chefs parade is held for all the chefs on board. At the last supper, we made a small parade in the dining area, and our guests welcomed us with a huge applause, and celebrated us as individuals! It was just wonderful!
Other things: We're changing our clocks quite often, which makes our sleeping even harder sometimes :(
Can't wait to get to Amsterdam and Bruges!!!!
See you
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Gran Canaria
Hey there everyone! We finally arrived at the Canary Islands, and I had the chance, to go ashore, enjoying the facilities of this wonderful island. We went directly to the beach, with one of my colleagues, and I had a nice swim as well in the ocean.
Happy times!
But to have some shit in the same time i got heavily sun-burned :(, so tomorrow i visit, the medical staff, to have something for me, because it's like really bad... and which makes this even more uncumfortable, the steam during the nightshift it's unbearable XD.
Fuck it... ...still worth going out I would say.
Oh I forgot to mention, we've recieved a new flu vaccination onboard, from the medical department, to prevent any further problems. (22 april)
I'm sorry about posting this unregular, but the thing is that the crew areas wi-fi router is broken... I only got online once so far, i'm really sorry.
What i'm looking forward now, is my contract! In couple of days i will get to sign it!
Cheers guyz
Happy times!
But to have some shit in the same time i got heavily sun-burned :(, so tomorrow i visit, the medical staff, to have something for me, because it's like really bad... and which makes this even more uncumfortable, the steam during the nightshift it's unbearable XD.
Fuck it... ...still worth going out I would say.
Oh I forgot to mention, we've recieved a new flu vaccination onboard, from the medical department, to prevent any further problems. (22 april)
I'm sorry about posting this unregular, but the thing is that the crew areas wi-fi router is broken... I only got online once so far, i'm really sorry.
What i'm looking forward now, is my contract! In couple of days i will get to sign it!
Cheers guyz
Happy Easter!
Hey everyone! I really have just a few time for keep you up-to-date, but this is one of them, so here it goes:
We are currently near Morocco, heading towards the Canary Islands. Tomorrow we're gonna arrive at Tenerife, and to Gran Canaria the day after. I'm looking forward to get ashore.
Life on cruise ships is tough, very tough. The rush is unbelievable, and I also have to adept to the few rest that we've got. So far, I'm good with that, I'm getting faster and more organized every day, I'm pretty much proud of it.
Today was the first day, that I really felt myself being the part of the team. I can do much more things in the same time. I'm also getting closer with the guys in the kitchen, day by day, more and more chefs, waiters etc. recognize me, and they recognize my skills improving as well.
This makes me feel much better, and makes me forget about everything else that could cause bad moments during my days. During the evening shifts I sweat like a flambéd pork chop, and in the morning shifts it's ain't no better. That makes me have 2 showers a day. XD
To sum it up: I feel good!
One more thing: I'm making friends every day. I get on well with the Mauritian guyz, to whom my roomie introduced me. We're having good times in our breaks, having couple of beers and nice chats in french.
That would be all for now!
Thinking of you all every day!
Cheers
We are currently near Morocco, heading towards the Canary Islands. Tomorrow we're gonna arrive at Tenerife, and to Gran Canaria the day after. I'm looking forward to get ashore.
Life on cruise ships is tough, very tough. The rush is unbelievable, and I also have to adept to the few rest that we've got. So far, I'm good with that, I'm getting faster and more organized every day, I'm pretty much proud of it.
Today was the first day, that I really felt myself being the part of the team. I can do much more things in the same time. I'm also getting closer with the guys in the kitchen, day by day, more and more chefs, waiters etc. recognize me, and they recognize my skills improving as well.
This makes me feel much better, and makes me forget about everything else that could cause bad moments during my days. During the evening shifts I sweat like a flambéd pork chop, and in the morning shifts it's ain't no better. That makes me have 2 showers a day. XD
To sum it up: I feel good!
One more thing: I'm making friends every day. I get on well with the Mauritian guyz, to whom my roomie introduced me. We're having good times in our breaks, having couple of beers and nice chats in french.
That would be all for now!
Thinking of you all every day!
Cheers
Thursday, April 21, 2011
First Day
Hey guys! I just finished my first day, and i have to admit, that this guys are tough!
The job is very tough as well, its really hard to keep up and live up to the standards.
I put a really hard time to catch the rythm of the place, but i think it's gonna be fine
step by step.
I kinda getting used to the movement of the ship as well, so i don't have to be worried
about that neither.
The kitchen is huge, and very hot, and very busy. My shifts are as follows:
I start at 4:30 a.m. then finish at about 10:30 a.m. after that, i have couple of hours
to rest, then get back to work at 4 p.m and work till 10 p.m. Its a bit rough, but i will
get used to that as well...
The food we're serving is extraordinary, and i see unbelievable things as well. All the
departments of the kitchen does a terrific, and spectacular job. Nothing but perfection
is accepted.
Now its 23:49, we're sailing on the atlantic ocean, somewhere near France, more than
halfway to Lisbon, and im gettin to bed soon, but we're gonna have a beer before,
with my roomie.
Bless you all!
The job is very tough as well, its really hard to keep up and live up to the standards.
I put a really hard time to catch the rythm of the place, but i think it's gonna be fine
step by step.
I kinda getting used to the movement of the ship as well, so i don't have to be worried
about that neither.
The kitchen is huge, and very hot, and very busy. My shifts are as follows:
I start at 4:30 a.m. then finish at about 10:30 a.m. after that, i have couple of hours
to rest, then get back to work at 4 p.m and work till 10 p.m. Its a bit rough, but i will
get used to that as well...
The food we're serving is extraordinary, and i see unbelievable things as well. All the
departments of the kitchen does a terrific, and spectacular job. Nothing but perfection
is accepted.
Now its 23:49, we're sailing on the atlantic ocean, somewhere near France, more than
halfway to Lisbon, and im gettin to bed soon, but we're gonna have a beer before,
with my roomie.
Bless you all!
Finally onboard!!!
Greetings everyone, I'm pleased to tell you, I'm finally aboard! We've arrived
to the big lady at about 9 a.m. then shit loads of paperwork, and afterwards
we went through a quick look-around with our heads of department. After that
we had our uniforms issued (very fancy). Later on we participated the first
safety training.
Now we have a 3 hours rest, then at 5 p.m. we go live, my first shift starts!
(YES XD)
I've recieved quite a bunch of information concerning kitchen preparation etc,
it's quite cool.
About internet: i will have to buy wi-fi cards (20USD for 200 minutes) so i might
not post every day, but I'm still going to write stuff in notepad then post it
on the blog later on!
That should be it for now...
Ah the most important: firs impression on Queen Elizabeth!
I gotta tell she's huge, but i really mean it she's huge! But at the same time it's
a freakin labirynth... anyways i feel really good, my roommate is a nice guy so
i've nothing to complain about for now!!! Besides that everyone is very nice, loads
of the crew speak in french, my roommate as well so its very very good for my french
as well.
Next stop: Lisbon, on friday (we set sail today (tuesday 19) at 16:15
Cheers, love u all
to the big lady at about 9 a.m. then shit loads of paperwork, and afterwards
we went through a quick look-around with our heads of department. After that
we had our uniforms issued (very fancy). Later on we participated the first
safety training.
Now we have a 3 hours rest, then at 5 p.m. we go live, my first shift starts!
(YES XD)
I've recieved quite a bunch of information concerning kitchen preparation etc,
it's quite cool.
About internet: i will have to buy wi-fi cards (20USD for 200 minutes) so i might
not post every day, but I'm still going to write stuff in notepad then post it
on the blog later on!
That should be it for now...
Ah the most important: firs impression on Queen Elizabeth!
I gotta tell she's huge, but i really mean it she's huge! But at the same time it's
a freakin labirynth... anyways i feel really good, my roommate is a nice guy so
i've nothing to complain about for now!!! Besides that everyone is very nice, loads
of the crew speak in french, my roommate as well so its very very good for my french
as well.
Next stop: Lisbon, on friday (we set sail today (tuesday 19) at 16:15
Cheers, love u all
Monday, April 18, 2011
So far so good!
Hi everyone!
As it appears, I've arrived to London-Heathrow without any problems. (avoiding the fact that i spent like 20 minutes to find the hoppa bus i was lookin for :) ) Right now i'm in the lobby of the inn where i'm staying at tonight (Holiday Inn M4 Junction 4). I've already had dinner, which was very good and very nourishing. First things first, I had a beer.... Then shit loads of stuff to eat, so now I'm packed.
The only thing which is weird: i have 3 different kinds of currency on me, and it's quite a tough affaire to handle, but I know, i'm gonna be able to move forward.
Other stuff: London Hoppa Bus drivers are rough riders, and the weather is not that bad as I was expecting it.
Ok thats all for today, tomorrow is the big day, im gonna meet the Big Lady!!!
C u then, stay tuned!
As it appears, I've arrived to London-Heathrow without any problems. (avoiding the fact that i spent like 20 minutes to find the hoppa bus i was lookin for :) ) Right now i'm in the lobby of the inn where i'm staying at tonight (Holiday Inn M4 Junction 4). I've already had dinner, which was very good and very nourishing. First things first, I had a beer.... Then shit loads of stuff to eat, so now I'm packed.
The only thing which is weird: i have 3 different kinds of currency on me, and it's quite a tough affaire to handle, but I know, i'm gonna be able to move forward.
Other stuff: London Hoppa Bus drivers are rough riders, and the weather is not that bad as I was expecting it.
Ok thats all for today, tomorrow is the big day, im gonna meet the Big Lady!!!
C u then, stay tuned!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Getting ready to set sail
Hi everyone out there!
This is my first blog entry with the only purpose of thanking all of you to be interested in my journey with Queen Elizabeth.
I promise to keep you as up-to-date as possible, depending on my upcoming shifts.
For now, all I can say, I'm leaving the country on the 18th of april (monday), I'm gonna spend one last lazy day in Southampton, then the morning after, I'm gonna set sail with Queen Elizabeth, early in the morning.
All the rest is uncertain, so stay tuned!
C u soon!
This is my first blog entry with the only purpose of thanking all of you to be interested in my journey with Queen Elizabeth.
I promise to keep you as up-to-date as possible, depending on my upcoming shifts.
For now, all I can say, I'm leaving the country on the 18th of april (monday), I'm gonna spend one last lazy day in Southampton, then the morning after, I'm gonna set sail with Queen Elizabeth, early in the morning.
All the rest is uncertain, so stay tuned!
C u soon!
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