I went into the port, apparently it was the foot passenger ticketing office where they checked the passports and handed the boarding pass to the passenger. After checking my ticket and passport they asked me if I’d like to take the 12:15 am ferry, which was good for me. ‘At 11:30 another bus it gonna take you from here into the main port...be hear we’ll let you know when the bus is here.’ This was great, and in the mean time I wondered around the waiting area, took loads of pictures. Soon my name was called out; many passengers had gathered in the waiting area, all ready to be taken to the bus. The driver of the bus (a smaller one this time) pulled out the ramp and I wheeled myself inside the bus, other passengers followed.
After a very short journey the bus drove into the ferry, at this point I hadn't a clue if I was in a ferry. We all got out and were then sent up on to a lift, apparently this was the upper deck of the ferry. It was huge inside, lots of seats and shops it looked like a huge waiting room. I was confused and completely lost, had no idea was in the ferry already. Baffled I was wondering about, the place was huge with a coffee lounge, shops, a bar, many seating areas and so on. Until I reached the information desk, ‘excuse me’, I asked, ‘are we in the ferry yet?’ a kind man in a uniform answered ‘yes’ politely. He also offered to give me a tour of the ferry which I accepted delightfully. He showed my around the deck I was on already, it had many seating area which included a big quiet room which had lots of comfortable seats to relax and sleep on. There was also a children’s play area, it had a big screen with cartoons on it. There was also a gambling area for adult entertainment having slot machines and other games and stuff. I was also shown the shops, which includes perfume, confectionary, clothes, jewellery, alcohol, etc. After checking out the entire deck I was then taken to the upper deck were all the restaurants were. There was a food court, a restaurant and a club class restaurant; all these were really expensive although the food court was a bit cheaper. He also took me outside the ferry deck, this was the area for smoking. Unfortunately due to security and safety reasons only part of the outer deck was open for passengers. But at least there was an area designated to enjoy fresh air, something is better than nothing! After the ferry tour was completed, the staff member who was touring me around also introduced me to other members at food court and the restaurant and also informed them and me, that if help is needed please feel free to ask one of the staff members. Then he left as it was his turn to sit at the information desk, we greet thankyous and good byes. After the exciting tour around the ferry and specially the food court I was slightly peckish. Didn’t want to fill up myself as I wanted to eat something nice in Calais. So I ordered a bowl of fries and mushy peas with lots of vinegar and salt, the whole thing costed £2.20 and of course tap water is for free!
After my short and sweet meal I roamed around the shops and watch a bit of TV with the kids, Tom and Jerry was on. I then looked out the window, I could see the port of Calais, soon there was an announcement by the captain ‘we shall be arriving the port of Calais in 10 minutes, please remain seated, thank you’. Woohoo! I was so excited.
It was 3:00 pm French time. I had rubbed one of eye so hard that I managed to wipe the mascara off (do check this out in the pictures) ‘oh no, now no French man will wanna check me out!’ I thought, unfortunately I didn’t know this at that time. Anyways so here I am full of excitement and vigour. One of the staff members came and told me that I have to wait for everyone to leave the ferry first. After 20 minutes my turn came ad a kind lady directed and escorted me down by the lift on to a mobility vehicle which was parked inside the ferry. I have take load of picture and I can assure the entire process is very simple, smooth and all wheelchair accessible. As soon as the vehicle dropped me at the post I took a dozen pictures, of the streets, the roads, the shops, the cars, it was like a burst of fire works just kept clicking away. I am uploading all those pictures on my blog to share. Do stay in tune for my 4th and final part 'To and Fro Calais'. Thankyou.
2 comments:
it brings nostalgia when I think of those old fashioned ferries but now adays some of them are so modernized :( When you said ' you looked out the window and saw the port of Calais' its like for me imagining a calm sea and the call of the seagulls and the the sight of that distant port :) Love the way you describe things and give the reader the illusion to imagine the place. ty... waiting for the fourth part and the photos are so nice :D
..Maribel
Thank you, Maribel. X
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