It has been four months since I left my job as an engineer.
I must admit that it was a tough job most of the time, but the experiences you may get (especially if you are involving in oil and gas projects) could be one of the most unforgettable life time experience you could ever imagine.
In 2009 was the most hectic year of travelling as an engineers.
I was away for almost a month in East Malaysia to carry out a site activities when I got a call from my office.
"We need you to be back to attend a problem in Vietnam. Please come back once you are done."
Vietnam?
Doesn't sound too bad for me.
When I told my friend about this, that is what I was thinking of.
The foods.
But in my friend's mind, this is what they think.
Yeah right.
Some of you may think that engineers get to travel and live in luxury hotels all the time.
Yes. But note: SOMETIMES only.
As for this trip, this is where I stayed.
For the next one week.
I took a 4 hours flight to Ho Chin Minh, Vietnam for all this shits.
It is OK.
Then a one and a half hour boat ride to Vung Tau, Vietnam.
It is OK.
Then come one of the most grueling journey I have ever been, a BLOODY 16 HOURS boat ride to the middle of the sea and board on this ship!
IT IS NOT OK.
That's when my memory of my childhood all came back to me. I used to have this sea sickness when I was a 9 years old.
Fast forward to 20 years later, I am supposed to travel on a 16 hours boat ride?
So I slept. Throughout the journey and it actually works.
When we arrived and "checked in" to our "cruise", that's when the show of "My first time" started.
1. The first time I have been separated from my families and friends for one week without a wifi and communication network. I can't even find a way to tell my parents that I have actually arrived safely without been kidnapped by the sulus or the pirates of the carribean.
2. For the first time I have a guy roommate masturbated right beneath my double decker bed while watching porn and enjoying himself. Gross isn't it?
3. For the first time to watch a movie in the theater hall, with Vietnamese porn on it, with a bunch of other guys. (You can't really offend and tell them that you want to watch discovery channel right?"
4. For the first time somebody told me during the meeting "If you can't fix this, I will make sure I throw you into the sea and shoot you personally!". Well, I came back alive. Mission accomplished.
5. For the first time I came to know that some of the full time operators couldn't go home for their Hari Raya holiday. (Well there's a lot of Malaysian there). We have jokes and laughter while enjoying the "kuih raya" brought by the engineers there. It is funny how people mixed with each other and work together as a team, and have fun together as a friends up there. I guess they realized that all of them was in the same boat together, that's why they are united.
6. And finally, for the first time, I was offered to have a helicopter ride back to land, all by myself!
Before i left, some of the crews thanked me and wished me having a safe journey back home.
"Enjoy you stay when you landed, do keep in touch".
All of a sudden i was overwhelmed by a feeling that i am so gonna missed this place so much. The noise, the late night chit chatters, ghost stories and er..the porn cinema?
Then one of the seniors came up to me and say.
"You know what, i don't know why on earth you are bringing a 19kg luggage with you for this trip. It is not even allowed on the chopper. But since you are so helpful all this while, i let you go this time."
Too bad that's the one and only time that I have been to offshore in my entire life as an engineer.
Would I want to go back there again?
Yes i think i really do.
In 2009 was the most hectic year of travelling as an engineers.
I was away for almost a month in East Malaysia to carry out a site activities when I got a call from my office.
"We need you to be back to attend a problem in Vietnam. Please come back once you are done."
Vietnam?
Doesn't sound too bad for me.
When I told my friend about this, that is what I was thinking of.
The foods.
But in my friend's mind, this is what they think.
Yeah right.
Some of you may think that engineers get to travel and live in luxury hotels all the time.
Yes. But note: SOMETIMES only.
As for this trip, this is where I stayed.
For the next one week.
I took a 4 hours flight to Ho Chin Minh, Vietnam for all this shits.
It is OK.
Then a one and a half hour boat ride to Vung Tau, Vietnam.
It is OK.
Then come one of the most grueling journey I have ever been, a BLOODY 16 HOURS boat ride to the middle of the sea and board on this ship!
IT IS NOT OK.
That's when my memory of my childhood all came back to me. I used to have this sea sickness when I was a 9 years old.
Fast forward to 20 years later, I am supposed to travel on a 16 hours boat ride?
So I slept. Throughout the journey and it actually works.
When we arrived and "checked in" to our "cruise", that's when the show of "My first time" started.
1. The first time I have been separated from my families and friends for one week without a wifi and communication network. I can't even find a way to tell my parents that I have actually arrived safely without been kidnapped by the sulus or the pirates of the carribean.
2. For the first time I have a guy roommate masturbated right beneath my double decker bed while watching porn and enjoying himself. Gross isn't it?
3. For the first time to watch a movie in the theater hall, with Vietnamese porn on it, with a bunch of other guys. (You can't really offend and tell them that you want to watch discovery channel right?"
4. For the first time somebody told me during the meeting "If you can't fix this, I will make sure I throw you into the sea and shoot you personally!". Well, I came back alive. Mission accomplished.
5. For the first time I came to know that some of the full time operators couldn't go home for their Hari Raya holiday. (Well there's a lot of Malaysian there). We have jokes and laughter while enjoying the "kuih raya" brought by the engineers there. It is funny how people mixed with each other and work together as a team, and have fun together as a friends up there. I guess they realized that all of them was in the same boat together, that's why they are united.
6. And finally, for the first time, I was offered to have a helicopter ride back to land, all by myself!
Before i left, some of the crews thanked me and wished me having a safe journey back home.
"Enjoy you stay when you landed, do keep in touch".
All of a sudden i was overwhelmed by a feeling that i am so gonna missed this place so much. The noise, the late night chit chatters, ghost stories and er..the porn cinema?
Then one of the seniors came up to me and say.
"You know what, i don't know why on earth you are bringing a 19kg luggage with you for this trip. It is not even allowed on the chopper. But since you are so helpful all this while, i let you go this time."
Too bad that's the one and only time that I have been to offshore in my entire life as an engineer.
Would I want to go back there again?
Yes i think i really do.
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