A Quick Trip to Newfoundland - The crossing

I generally find the rocking of a ship a soothing motion. However, not everyone does. Throughout the night an endless parade of passengers hurriedly make there way to the restroom near my "bunk", including the boy with the squeaky sneakers. A teenage girl with hiccups wanders through the lounge a half-dozen times, like a small wraith haunting the ship.

At 5:00 AM, after 3 hours of non-sleep, I see the sky has lightened and make my way to the upper deck. We are about halfway to Newfoundland and the sky has cleared somewhat.

As the sun peaks over the horizon, I take a tour of our ship, the MV Leif Ericson.




The lifeboats. I decide I really wouldn't want to spend much time in these...

The upper deck with only two benches. I suppose most people spend their time below in the cafeteria.

The sun shows itself only briefly before disappearing behind the clouds overhead, leaving a blank horizon.

At 7:00, the cafeteria opens and I head below to get a cup of coffee. When I come back on deck I get my first glimpse of Port aux Basques, our destination.

The Lief Ericison makes a long turn into the harbor giving a better view.

As we approach the ferry terminal, the ships P.A. announces that we should head for the car deck. Though, I know it'll be a bit before we dock, I follow the herd to the bowels of the ship.

On the car deck the Ferry men return and congregate at the rear door of the ship. We entered the ship through the bow in North Sydney, and now we'll exit through the stern. Outside, the ship is pirouetting and backing into the Terminal ramp. The engine noise is loud and accompanied by various deep rumbles and vibrations and the occasional hard jolt. I wonder how the hiccupping wraith is doing.

Finally it all comes to a halt and as the stern door lifts a bit of natural light filters into our neon undersea world.

Though it will still be 5 minutes before we can actually leave, SUVs, Winnebagos and 18-wheelers all start their engines at the sight of the light. Soon, in the distance, I can see the Ferry men frantically waving for the the front vehicles to move. Though I was the last vehicle on the boat, by luck I get to slip past a large group of trucks and RVs which need space to maneuver.

Once I hit the the ramp, there is no stopping for photos. I'm in the midst of small rush-hour's worth of traffic all rushing towards their home, their work, their vacation! I'm too busy watching out for the semi to my right as a VW passes me on my left and a Winnebago hits his brakes in front to look at much else.

Finally, the cars and trailers disperse a bit and I pull over to get my bearings. I'm in Newfoundland!