Pan Pacific Hotel, Rm 1214 (Melbourne)
Tuesday 5 May 2020
Back in the 1960s it was artist Andy Warhol who suggested that … “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes”. Well, today I was happy with ten minutes … not of fame, but of fresh air and the chance to aimlessly wander the streets.
Not that you can wander many streets, or even one street very far, in ten minutes … but I gave it a good shot. I was given advanced notice of my impending time-off-the-leash, through a phone call this morning. Which meant I had a total of two phone calls today.
But this was a special call and it came shortly before the regular, “…any-COVID-19-symptoms-today-Mr-Latimer” call. As it was explained to me, the time had come for me to get some “fresh air” and that a hotel security guard will come around 5:30 and escort me outside for a walk. I’d need to wear a mask, which would be provided if I didn’t have one, and apparently gloves were optional, but I needed to wash my hands thoroughly before and after. Fair enough.
I’d heard a rumour of a “fresh air” break, but on the basis that it hadn’t happened in the first 7 days, it never entered my mind again. But a friend, Carl, who did 14 days isolation in Queensland after returning to Australia from Vanuatu a few weeks ago sent me a text some time back … “wait until day 7” … . At the time I didn’t think to inquire further as to exactly what he meant, but I’m thinking it might have something to do with being let out for a short “run”.
Of course, I use the term “run” figuratively, because having been escorted down in the lift, across the lobby and out through the front automatic opening doors, it’s amusing to consider exactly what my appointed Hi-Vis, mask wearing “guard” might have done if I had, indeed, literally RUN. Like a focused terrier on a scent, let off its lead and disappearing through the grass looking all the world like… “he’s coming back any time soon”.
I know what would have happened to me, if I’d instantly started running-on-release … and it ranges from a pulled hamstring to a cardiac arrest … but I’m sure it would have taken “my man” by surprise, that’s for sure. Sufficient to possibly even have me featured in a “News Feed” on some platform or other.
I can see the headline now … “Hotel Isolation-Man Makes Run For It” … with the article explaining that I’m now resting in a hospital bed, under observation, suffering from muscle fatigue, severe sprains and over-exertion…
But I can report that I was very well behaved, and didn’t betray the trust placed in me … to return in the allotted ten minutes. I was also mindful of the sage advice given to me this morning by my boat-owning-partner Barry, who texted … “… all we ask is that you don’t let your photo get into any of the newspapers”
So, here I am back in my room, staring at my four walls again … content in the knowledge that life is really continuing on the outside, if not “normally”, then in a form I can still recollect.
The photos illustrate that I covered some ground … in particular I had a closer look at the Polly Woodside museum- ship and pedestrian bridge that sit beneath my 12th floor window. The near-full moon was also coming up and it looked rather special as it rose between a couple of tall buildings. At least there was no dirty window to blur the view.
I even had a chance to take a photo on the other side of this building … out to the west. And all things considered, I think I’ve got the better deal – there’s more activity on my side to keep a busy mind entertained.
I heard a plane fly over today. I could tell it was a big plane and in the current environment, an unusual sound that really stood out, to be sure. So I instantly jumped on the “Flight Radar” website www.flightradar24.com and saw that it was a Cathay Pacific 747, flying from Sydney to Melbourne.
I’m sure if I was a serious plane-spotter, I would definitely be putting this down as an “unusual occurrence”, because to the best of my knowledge Cathay Pacific do an international run. Maybe it was a diversion-flight, to pick up a few stranded citizens, before heading north to Hong Kong later tonight.
Actually, it’s getting late as I write this and I heard another plane – smaller this time – fly over, and by the looks of its track, it’s just playing games up there?!
I received an email today from a sailing contact, Nick, who was actually booked-in to sail as crew with me around this time … if it hadn’t been for the coronavirus. Anyway, Nick sent me a link to another Aussie yachtie’s blog who is in a far more dire situation than me. On the plus side, it scored him over 6,000 Views on his recent Post … but I’m sure that would be small comfort given his circumstances.
A link to his blog is here … make sure y’all come back now ya’ hear … but in essence, he’s been stuck 50 days at anchor in the Maldives with 11 other yachts, and is trying to find a way forward, taking into account … a). he may be required/requested to leave, b). most international ports within reasonable sailing distance are closed and c). sailing back to Australia is against wind and currents and it’s going into cyclone season …
https://www.sailingsteelsapphire.com/blog-1/2020/4/30/desperately-seeking-solutions
He makes the observation that Government and Consulate assistance is often unfamiliar with the dilemma’s faced by many yacht skippers … “Get the first flight home” they advise “what do I do with my boat?” you ask … “can’t you moor it somewhere?” … “No” … “can’t you just sail home?” they ask … “It’s against the weather patterns at this time of the year and all ports are closed if I need to stop for assistance”
In a very real sense everyone is sailing in uncharted waters, with the latest Australian Government advice for those travelling on “Yachts or Small Craft” being …
COVID-19: Travelling to Australia by yacht or small craft
If you’re planning to sail your yacht or small craft back to Australia, carefully consider the risks to your personal health and safety and that of your crew members from COVID-19 and related restrictions.
- Many countries have closed their borders, including Pacific island countries, and restricted access to their ports.
- You may not be able to refuel or restock your supplies en route.
- It is your responsibility to check on what arrangements will be in place for your arrival in any waters or ports. It is not the responsibility of the Australian Government to negotiate access on your behalf or facilitate your journey.
- If you do sail into Australian waters:
- note that only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can enter Australia
- all crew must be isolated in mandatory quarantine accommodation for 14 days on arrival
- you must provide arrival information in advance.
At this time, we recommend you either moor your boat and stay where you are, or if you wish to come home and flights are available, store your boat and fly back to Australia. We do not know when other countries will reopen their borders and ease restrictions. Don’t take the risk by attempting to sail back – stay in place or fly home!
https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/before-you-go/getting-around/boat-travel
Tell me something I don’t know …
There’s always a secret sense of schadenfreude with these sorts of thing, which is most un-Christian to be sure. But to clarify … it’s more a sense of … “I’m glad that’s not me” … rather than “I’m glad it’s him” … because as the comments to his website show, everyone is extremely sympathetic and helpful with their suggestions and offers of assistance; in whatever way they can. Still, I’m glad I got stuck in New Zealand … NOT the Maldives, or Mexico, or Colombia, Italy, Spain … there’s a very long list , based on the “boating-crew-finding-social-networking” I was doing just a few short weeks ago. As Dorothy said … “there’s no place like home”
On the topic of trans-Tasman peace, harmony and brotherly (and let’s not forget sisterly) love … I read with interest today that both New Zealand and Australia are having discussions about the possibility of each coming under the one “Coronavirus-free Bubble” … thereby allowing citizens of each country to travel back and forth without having to endure 14 days of isolation each way.
Mandatory isolation kind-of ruins the standard four-weeks of annual leave don’t you thing … ?
“Where’d you go for your holidays?” a friend asks …
“Went to New Zealand and spent 2 weeks in a hotel room on arrival, then caught a plane home and spent another 2 weeks in an Australian hotel room when we got back” … holiday for masochists.
Well, there’s a chance that closer cooperation between our two countries might overcome that dilemma; but in the latest news it seems we shouldn’t hold our breath for any lifting of Trans-Tasman travel restrictions any time soon.
If it does come off, it’s also not likely to lead us down the once-dreamed path of New Zealand becoming the … “eighth state of Australia” … as envisaged at Federation in 1901. And when I say “not likely”, that should really read “impossible and totally out of the question”.
Fun fact … On 1 July 1841 the islands of New Zealand were separated from the Colony of New South Wales and made a colony in their own right. This ended more than 50 years of confusion over the relationship between the islands and the Australian colony.
I’ve been asked a little more about the topic of “FOOD” … during my stay here in the hotel. And whilst there have been a couple of stand-out FAILS, even by my rather catholic culinary tastes … overall, I can’t complain. I sense there’s someone downstairs doing the best they can under the circumstances.
Having to “plate-up” everything in plastic takeaway tubs … except perhaps for bananas, muffins, bag of chips, bread rolls, Mars bars, tubs of yoghurt and boiled eggs … then have it delivered in a simple brown paper bag … must really suck the joy out being a “chef” in a 5-Star hotel. And given there are few other “guests” in the building, what management is losing on low-occupancy they are no doubt trying to make up for in other ways. That said, it was nice to have a curry-esque type thingy with rice tonight, rather than more pasta and macaroni.
Smooth seas, fair breeze and 10 Minutes of Freedom
Rob Latimer
NZ2020 