Travelblog Si Gemok: May 2014

An hour at Amsterdam

I have chance to visit this city after sign off from Bunga Bakawali on 14 April 2014. Although I made call to Rotterdam port several times for past 6 years, but I never have opportunity to visit Amsterdam due to workload or time restriction. Plus, it hard to get there legally since all seaman who called Rotterdam, only allowed to move within Rotterdam Municipality. If get caught?.. so far, nobody get caught..

After check in my bags at Schipol Airport, I still have about 4 hour before my flight to Kuala Lumpur. I have decided to go to Amsterdam since it among a city that in my wish list to visit. From Schipol, I purchased return train ticket that cost EUR 8.50 and took a train at 1st level at gate no 3. It little bit tricky since most of a signboard showed area in Amsterdam but luckily I managed it by asking train's company personnel that available there. It took about 15 minute to arrive Amsterdam Central (pronounce as Amsterdam Centrum) which is a house for train, bus & water taxi for Amsterdam Municipality.

Amsterdam Centrum is an old building, showed the design of circa years 18th Century. It architecture, really bold of Dutch trademarks. It like ancient building that showed in most of Harry Potter's movies. It really long history to see & feel while at Amsterdam. It can be feel by taking boat cruise, a cruise around Amsterdam city & took about an hour.

Let enjoys some of scenery of Amsterdam from the boat cruise & scene around the Amsterdam Centrum.

Inside Boat Cruise

Centrum Building from Red Light Area

One of Boat House at Canal.

Skinny Bridge

Tunnel at the Canal

The Tunnel build date.

Sayonara Bunga Bakawali !

Bunga Bakawali is a Type II 45000 DWT oil & chemical tanker vessel owned by MISC Berhad.

It was sold to UACC,a Dubai based oil & chemical carrier.

It was delivered on 2010 from SLS Shipyard, Teongyong South Korea. LOA is 183m, Breadth 32.2 M while the depth is 18.90 M. It was powered by engine B & W 6S50MC – C, with Nominal Rating 12,900 BHP at 127 RPM. The service speed is 15 knots. During her service, this lady was served route of Asia , USA & South America carrying mostly vegetable oil products. It was officially hand over to UACC at Rotterdam on 14 May 2014.

The last voyage of Bunga Bakawali is V1402, from Sandakan & Kunak to Rotterdam, with laden of palm oil products. The last Master of this lady before change her name is Captain Rajah Rajangam with total 28 crews including Master. All crew was sign off at 1300 hrs after handover. Her new name is UACC Doha & manned by 21 Russian, Latvian & Filipino crews incl Master.

I joined this vessel on 4 April 2014 & among the last crews who manned this vessel. Even though my SBS here only 40 days, but this vessel will remained in my memory!