Seeing The World

Northland Age, Volume 28, Issue 14, 3 February 1928, Page 6

Seeing The World

Northland Lad's Experiences fl Letter From Suez Young Chris Dunn On Tour Letter To His Father Voting Chris Dunn is seeing a Rood deal of the world. H tvtaken lo the sea like a duckling takes to water he has seen a good deal of the world already. He has now just reached man’s estate and has in the few years that he has graced this planet, crammed more than a little information concerning this crusty old world into his cranium. He wrote to his father Mr Chris Dunn recently as follows: “S.S. Walcheren,” Suez Canal, 2/12/27. Dear Dad, Once I used to get letters from you around here, hut now the boot is on the other foot. We arrived in Suez late last night after a flat calm and deathly hot trip from Colombo. The Red Sea was like a furnace; two firemen in the afternoon watch had to be carried out of the stokehold, knocked clean out with the heat. We got into the Canal at five o’clock this morning and expect to arrive in Port Said at about eight to-night. In the last 48 hours the weather has changed from stifling heat to chilly New Zealand weather and I can tell you we all enjoy the nip in the air. In another six weeks or so we will be in Holland in the middle of winter where they say it would freeze the tail of the proverbial brass monkey. We will feel it more too after nearly three months on the equator.

As it was dark when we arrived in Suez and before daylight when we left, of course 1 saw nothing of the town, but will have a few hours ashore in Port Said to-morrow which, by the way, is my 2lst birthday. As we are only going there for coal though, it will have to be a very short visit to the town. As Ihe skipper won’t give out 3ny money there I cant get any souveniers to take home as I would like to do, but never mind I may call round here again some day.

After Port Said, in about eight days, we will strike Marseilles to discharge a part of the cargo of copra. We will spend about three days there, and then on to Barcelona, Valencia, Cadiz and Bilbao in Spain, and perhaps from there lo some place on the North African coast, four or five days run from Spain for iron ore not sure of the latter place yet, and then Rotterdam and a good feed. The grub here is murder, and scanty, and seems to be getting worse.

I will not stay more than a few days in Rotterdam. They say Antwerp is the best place on the continent to get a ship, I may go there, hut will most likely run over to - London or Liverpool. My next ship will be either British, Canadian or American, and lam quite positive it wont be Dutch or for that matter any foreign boat.

I am hungry for news from home, and havent heard from Kaitaia since the last time I was there, Wish I could have been home for my birthday, but that can’t be helped.

I expected to get some mail in Manila, but must have left there before it arrived. No matter, I expect to get a whole armful in Rotterdam, and am looking forward to it

There are still hundreds of men working on this canal but I expect it is just the same as when you left it. A house here and there along tht bank with here ind there a carnal ortwoora few donkeys grazing on the sand or a group of robed Arabs or Egyptians with shovels in their haptL

and for the rest sand as tar as you can see in every direction. Well, Father old man, its too late now to wish you a Merry Xmas, or it will be when you get this, but I hope you have one anyway. I’ll get mine in Barcelona probably but am not looking forward to much of a good time. Please remember me to all at home and give my love to Gran when you see her. And accept that of your loving son—Chris.