Some ports are quiet and peaceful

Useful Travel Aids

Pattaya Beach, Thailand

Perfect Woman Pay Attention Just Do Me

It is an exciting time for everyone on board when the ship arrives in port. The radios and television begin to receive foreign programs. The languages are different, the advertisements are different, and all the music is different. The latest hits of that country becomes the normal songs heard everywhere. The people are different, the whole environment changes. Some seamen pick up a few foreign languages while they are at sea so that they can converse easily when they arrive at a foreign country.

Many seamen take the opportunity to travel by themselves or as a group to all the curious nooks and corners of the port, or to surrounding towns. If time permits, tours are organized to famous spots perhaps 100 miles away from the port. One example is the Great Wall of China.

Souvenir hunting, shopping, and sightseeing are very popular amongst the seamen. Some have their own particular haunts to go to. Some will visit their girl friends and others Find A Match For Life! by using scientific methods. As tourist, the camera is always taken along, rain or shine, snow, or hot. Photographs taken always serve as a remembrance of good times.

The mode of transport in some port areas might be quite limited. If transport is not available, the seamen still wants to go out. Walking is the alternative. It is not surprising to see seamen walking many miles to town from the port area.

In some ports, there are Mission to Seamen who are active. They serve the foreign seamen by providing transportation, and to provide a "home away from home" for them. Usually they are volunteers. Every night many seamen will spend their time at the Seamen Mission, where they can play billiard, pin ball, borrow books, and magazines, eat biscuits, and have other refreshments, make telephone calls and just relaxing in a homely atmosphere.

Sometimes the stay in port is too short. Sometimes there is not enough time to look for souvenirs or other essential items. We have now collected a showcase of marine paraphernalia like sextants, clocks, compasses, dividers, binoculars, caps, clothing and other souvenirs. Feel free to browse through at Marine Showcase.

Perfumes called pheromones are especially sought after. They have the power to attract people through smells. Used naturally in animals in mating season.

If you like seascape paintings do feel free to browse through our Marine Art Gallery.