The Night Ferry

Up until recently i couldnt really say i had been slumming it or throwing myself into the real back packer / travelling experience ( i like my aircon, free shower gel, bottled water and bed bug free bedding) and i still cant say i have really but the night ferry is the closest i have come!

Id heard the stories describing the cramped little beds lined up inside with sliding mattresses following the rocking of the boat but i didnt think id be spending 8 hours clinging to a slim bed with the tips of my toes trying not fall out (and onto the others who were on mattresses on the floor)

All along the window edges of the boat were mattresses, numbered, to fit 3 people on each and down the middle length ways, where the gangway would be, were 3 beds; very slim (may as well have been a fat ironing board) and raised to house the life jackets underneath. So myself, Amy and Nikki slept end to end but distanced quite far apart with Amy at the very end above the walkway to the toilet. I was by the other door which didnt go anywhere really, which was even more annoying when people stumbled over you to get past in the night to go out that door; where were they going??!!

id forgotten to take a sea sickness tablet until we'd already set off so i had to wait a few hours for it to kick in, and those few hours were horrible! Trying desperately to get to sleep but not fall off of the bed at the same time whilst breaking into a nauseating cold sweat was not fun. Constantly thinking how id last 8 hours of this rocking, swaying, sickening motion on a hot cramped boat for 8 hours! the only comforting thought was that if it did capsize, at least id have first pick of the life jackets.....2 for me - extra buoyancy...one for my laptop.....another for me.....one for my camera.........