Travel by container ship.

I was asked the following question by a fellow writer and traveler.  I appreciate it because as I'm reading it I thought now here is a guy who thinks outside the box.  And I enjoyed writing my response because the question got me to thinking again about an unrealized travel idea that's been kicking around in my head.  I'm publishing it because doing so may give feet to the idea.  Feet a allusion employed solely as an artistic device.

Here goes,

Hey Vicktor,

caught your site in a random search, and plan to travel to Japan via container ship before the end of the year, if all goes as planned.

I'm also a writer (screenplays-mostly), and have done about two million commercial trucking miles across America and into Canada, running everything from Household Moves (Alied Van Lines and others) containers from central washington to all the ports from Portland to Seattle, to Everette, to heavy equipment, boats, cars, and all manner of construction gear.

Always wanted to travel via container ship, have owned a couple of small pleasure boats when living in the San Juan Isalnds up in Puget Sound, and a couple of my good friends have held 100 or 200 ton licenses and who worked commercially have encouraged me to not wait.

Thought I'd ask a real sailor which line he would choose for a ride to Asia, (If you would have a preference), and of course, any other advice you might want to include.

Thanks Much.  See you out there in the "Jungle".

Peace,
GM
Screenwriter

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GM,

Apologies for not replying sooner, but I've been at sea.  A sailor's life you know.  To answer your question, I'm unable to recommend any particular shipping line to you because I've always sailed for work, and on the US flag commercial carriers I work for I've yet to come across any passengers paying for a berth.  Like everything else these days just Google it.  I know that's not any kind of insight that you haven't learned for yourself.  So...

Let me tell you about a travel idea that once occurred while transiting the Panama Canal.  I haven't yet realized it, but its on my to-do list, right along with screwing Japanese twins named fook-u and fook-me ;)  But this plan requires a big pair of brass ones, a flexible travel schedule, and some A-game bullshitting skills. I'd go to the the Port of Balboa which is on the Pacific side of the Panama Canal. From there I would talk my way aboard a ship and hitchhike my way across the Pacific.  Here's the game plan.  To begin with you can easily meet ships crews by hanging out at the Ports exit with the taxi drivers who service the sailors or you could hang out at the brothels that cater to sailors -sailors on shore leave always go to brothels - and try to meet crew members there.  You'll want to socialize with everyone, but know that only Officers are decision makers.  Explain to them that you are a writer/photographer/whatever and that you are doing research for XYZ project and can you ride with them. Of course if you ever do this you'll have to fill me in on your plans beforehand, just in case. 

Some additional advice for the journey.  Take a camera, you will never take more stellar pictures of Sunrises and Sunsets than you will when out to sea.  In bars only drink out of bottles - insist it be opened in front of you - or you may get drugged as happened to me in Singapore.  I know, drugged in Singapore sounds incredibly cliched, but it really did happen to me.  Fortunately I woke up 10 hours later in my rack onboard my ship with all of my organs intact.    

Here are Japan specific insights I gleaned when living in Tokyo for 6 months.  It's expensive so be prepared.  The trains are the bomb and easy to master.  Japanese insert the most atrocious combinations of food inside of bread pies, they're known as bread surprises.  The only dangerous people in Japan are fellow travelers.  Get a place as near to Roppongi Square as is possible (Google Tokyo apartment rentals). Roppongi Square is nightlife central for foreigners in Japan, and for Japanese who want to party with foreigners. That last point is key because you will quickly learn that not all Japanese like Gaijin (foreigners), but you will find that the ones who do all flock to Roppongi just to meet you. Important Fashion Alert: Don't go dressed like what I call Wal-Mart Americans or neo-hippies.  Dress to impress! Japanese absolutely do notice and if you take care of your appearance you'll find yourself being shown those little courtesies that the grunge set doesn't.  Sadly, despite your best efforts be prepared to be occasionally slighted by Japanese that just don't like you. For example, late at night taxis will routinely refuse you because they don't speak English and your just not worth the trouble.  There are, however, two silver linings to all of this: You will be humbled, in a good way.  Also and fortuitously, if you are a man who is into casual flings with hot foreign women in exotic destinations, then you need to visit 7Heaven strip club which is conveniently located in, you guessed it, Roppongi.  The hottest women in this world are dancing their and since they are downright wore out by the shenanigans of drunk Jap salarymen your big gentlemanly-American self is golden. Just remember the girls aren't looking for pimps.  What they want is a man to take them out, treat them right, romance them a little, and have casual non-committal recreational sex with.  On the other hand if you come across one who is selling extra services that come with a happy ending I recommend you just politely but firmly walk away because it's a buyers market (that's you) and you don't need to do that to your manhood. Alert!!Warning!! Tokyo is awash with bitter self-pitying money blinded foreign workers who are more misguided than even the strippers.  You'll recognize them by their most oft repeated catch phrase, "I hate it here, but I make a lot of money."  Stay away from them, they're losers.  On that note, should you come across a little English language rag called Tokyo Classified take what you read therein with the proverbial grain of salt.  It's subjective pulp written by the aforementioned losers.

Be safe,
Vicktor

P.s.  So you are a writer.  Seems like you choose your work for its travel and writing material potential. Writings my past time as well, do you have any published work, and if so do you mind if I have a read?
P.s.s.  I liked your question and I think that others will profit from my response as well so I am going to blog it.  I'll change your name of course.

Comments

[Vicktor]

Thanks for the positive words. They are always appreciated.