Maiden Voyage Prelude
With two full days before we went to Southampton, London defied all travelers' expectations by offering blue skies and sunshine in brief glimpses. This view of St. Paul's was taken from one of those "hop-on-hop-off" tour buses which I highly recommend; they really do get you all over, and the view from the open top on the upper deck is well worth the extra chill of winter winds.
Oceanic House, former offices of the White Star Line, now serving shooters
and fried mozzarella as the "Texas Embassy" restaurant and
bar.
Waterloo departure 11 January 2004: Cabinmate Juan and Kris about to
board a modern-day Boat Train to Southampton.
Advertising hyperbole of a ship that needs no embellishment. Whether
those are humpbacks or blues frolicking at the prow of Queen Mary
2, even she is not that big. During the night, one of these billboards
would be torn to shreds by heavy winds near gale force.
We dropped our bags at the Sofitel and headed towards the waterfront,
where a steady stream of onlookers and photographers looked at the distant
looming mass.
Bow-in, gloomy clouds gathering, QM2 was a thrilling sight.
We stayed until dusk, watching lights come on in the ship, myself not
quite believing that we are so close to Sailing Day.
The excursion boat trips offering a closer view provide a hint at the
sendoff to come.
Unable to resist a second viewing, we returned after dinner, only to
notice that QM2's position had changed. With predictions of
high winds for the next day, Commodore Warwick has found it prudent
to turn his ship bow-out in calmer conditions.
