The Diamond Princess

You know how some things can jog your memory?

Like the smell of someone's cologne, or hearing a familiar tune on the radio?

Well, mine came in the form of a 116,000-tonne marine vessel by-the-name of:

The Diamond Princess.

As is often the case, I was out for a stroll on a sunny, summer afternoon in downtown Vancouver when I noticed, peeking above the roof-tops, the unmistakable array of antennae, radar equipment, and smoke stakes that I've come to recognize oh-so-well.

From October 2005 to January 2006, I had the privilege of working on-board the Diamond Princess as a Videographer.

During that time, I visited ports in Asia, Australia and New Zealand. It was an experience that I will never forget! Some of the highlights included:

Visiting the Great Wall of China.

Seeing Hong Kong Island across Victoria Harbour.

Feeling the chill of Tiananmen Square.

Figuring-out how to use the ticket machine in Osaka, Japan.

Standing in the very same spot where my father stood to get his picture taken while visiting Osaka Castle before I was born.

Riding on the back of a motorbike in Nha Trang, Vietnam.

Taking-off to Thailand for a week during dry-dock in Singapore.

And scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef on my 30th birthday.

Fuelled by an overwhelming sense of nostalgia, I found myself gravitating towards the cruise ship terminals at Canada Place. My pace quickening with every step as if I was late for a reunion with a long-lost friend.

After crossing Howe and Cordova, her image finally came into view. A massive display of blue and white opulence; a jewel like no other!

As I climbed the stairs towards the top of Canada Place, I passed a few crew members going in the opposite direction, their tattle-tale laminexs (crew i.d. cards) giving them away. As I watched them go past me, I couldn't help but to smile as I too, understood the pain and pleasures that awaited them in the city. For as a crew member, your time on land is the only thing that keeps you sane (apart from the cheap drinks in the crew bar of course!).

After stopping to take a picture of the aft (back) of the ship,

I soon joined the other spectators as we watched the grandeur of this floating hotel spread-out before us.

A smile crept across my face as my eyes slowly scanned her glistening white exterior. I knew where the casino, restaurants, gym and discos were located. I knew which deck allowed you to walk from one end of the ship to the other. But more importantly, I knew where the crew slept and ate and where they went to seek camaraderie and fun with one another during those long days at sea.

Like seeing an old "flame" across a crowded room, I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment in this intimate knowledge that I held, and the memories that went along with them.

As the horn sounded and the Diamond Princess slowly left her berth, I took out my camera for one last photo-op.

With my trip down "memory-lane" complete, I said a silent farewell to the MV Diamond Princess, and left. Having already been to where she's heading, there was no need for one last look.

And besides, just like The Terminator:

She'll be back!