I was on the streets with a coffee in hand by 5.30 a.m. The only other people on the streets were sleeping n doorways and on benches. The sun wasn't in the sky yet but his light was thanks to the curvature of the Earth. Big wide streets which had been teeming with people 5 hours before, now all abed.
The ship was supposed to dock at 7 but, knowing ships as I do I figured she'd appear around 6 and be going very slowly-no last minute slamming on the brakes here. 113,000 Tonnes, 2600 passengers and over 1,000 crew and not one seat belt.
So after half an hour of just slowly moseying around the empty streets I was back at the Pier where the Pan Pacific sits in it's prime location at Canada Place, notable for the 5 white sails on the roof.
She made no sound but I sensed Big Ship approaching and girded my loins (whatever that means) and raised my camcorder. I didn't have to wait long.... (video)
Once she was in position she reversed back into the dock. There are cameras at the stern and an officer with a walkie talkie to help in this process as the Captain is about 900 feet away. He steers the ship from a Bridge Wing which sticks out from each side of the ship for a better rear view.
(video)
While the Diamond was reversing into it's berth on the other side of the dock a Holland America ship called Zuiderdam was coming in head first. The two ships disgorged almost 5,000 passengers who now needed taxis and shuttle buses to the airport after they passed through Canadian Customs. So on turnaround day the area in front of the Pan Pacific is a hive of activity and later the Anime Festival visitors would arrive to add to the crowd.
That would be after breakfast and we had a complimentary buffet to enjoy in the Pan on the open lobby level.
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