Our Weather Luck Runs out at Taiwan

Day 32, Grand Asia 2018

Thursday, Nov. 1, Keelung, Taiwan:

The farther we sailed southwest toward Taiwan, the heavier the clouds. Soon we had light rain. By noon, as we approached the harbor at Keelung on the northern side of the island, the waves became choppy. The small pilot boat tossed and turned as it drew alongside the ship so the brave (or crazy) pilot could step to the rope ladder of the Amsterdam.

Our original plan was to anchor today at Ishigaki, Japan, to enjoy the sun and beaches. But as the remnants of Typhoon Yutu neared Hong Kong, the seas at distant Ishigaki were still too rough to take the tenders to shore. And no one wanted to go to the beach in the rain, anyway.

Once we were docked in Keelung in the early afternoon, some passengers ventured out in the steady rain to explore. Others like me stayed on board. I watched from the outdoor covered promenade as passengers returned to the ship carrying the umbrellas but few shopping bags from their brief sojourns ashore. A night market is only a few blocks away, but I waited to hear some reports before deciding not to head out tonight. I’ll be on a foodie tour in Taipei tomorrow, anyway.

I used what essentially became for me a sea day to catch up on writing and posting blogs, adding watercolor to my journal, appliquéing a few more pieces to a quilt block and chatting with friends.

Despite the weather, a fireboat welcomed us to Keelung with sprays of water. In the harbor, I spotted a reminder of my career in telecommunications – the Alcatel-Lucent LODBROG, a ship designed to lay cable under the sea.

Once we docked, we watched Chinese cruise line Star Cruises’ Aquarius expertly back the huge ship into the berth ahead of us. I sat on the balcony to sketch the hillsides surrounding the harbor. The air was muggy but still, and the covered balcony protected me from the steady drizzle.

All in all, it was a lazy day – and enjoyable way to pass the time while the rain fell.