First Tahiti, second Bora Bora
the 3. Week on Set of Traumschiff
Ladies, gentlemen, everyone in between and beyond. To successfully survive a cruise, one should follow certain rules.
Never book a cruise.
Only book it if you cannot move and truly have NO other way to travel.
If you do book, make sure you are at least 65 years old.
Do not be German.
Do not book a German cruise.
So, this all sounds very negative, but one must not forget that I, as a person, would never have come up with the idea of spending my leisure time like this. However, now that the cruise ship and I are in a working relationship, things look quite different.
25 January
We have decided to be crowned Line Dance Queen. This competition may only exist in its own dream ship world and not on the MS Amadea, but that doesn’t stop anyone from participating in the offered courses. How else would one kill time, right, Hildegart?
One reads Sally Rooney on the upper deck, naturally in the shade, since the contract states that as an actor, one must take care of their skin and time in the sun.
Yes, and then there is already dinner.
Today’s event, however, was the NEPTUNE equator baptism. You read that correctly, Neptune, as in Ariel’s father, apparently lives right on the equator (good for him, climate-wise) and occasionally appears on cruise ships to give people (mostly old, mostly German) funny names.
Hereby, I solemnly announce mine: Clumsy Hermit Crab.
26 January
It is Saturday in the normal working world; in that of an actress, one gets up at 5 a.m. to be in make-up by 5:30. Today was a big day: many scenes, lots of text, many emotions… Yep, there is kissing on the dream ship.
To mask my nervousness, I chewed gum, which very clearly shows nervousness. Next time, a stress ball will probably do. It is truly crazy to switch from being a too-young private person on a cruise ship to the perfectly fitting character on the dream ship. Not that Toni and I don’t share many similarities… It was a great day. Another one of those that make you feel right, like you’ve found the right thing and are following your passion. 15 out of 10 stars!
Oh, and if the evening ends with shooting stars on the upper deck, then you’ve definitely done everything right.
27 January
And there it is, the last day of filming on the MS Amadea – a big BANG for a scene, a small acting effort. Has it ever been mentioned that I am a huge fan of Florian Silbereisen? Top guy!
In the meantime (yes, actors are patient on set, they often stand around in the way and have nothing to do), I started reading Talk to Me by T.C. Boyle. Boredom must be avoided.
The ship’s evening programme featured Pirates Night. Of course! For those who can’t picture it: waiters and waitresses are dressed up and painted as pirates and want to steal all your gold and jewellery, hijack the ship and blackmail German authorities… not really. But they are still dressed up.
28 January
The great joy of a creature of habit is when something reliable returns. In this case, Fest & Flauschig is back and is released in small portions (15 minutes each). Also, the series Clickbait was finished (another day at sea, and one starts feeling TOO deeply relaxed).
We liked it. A mini-series with 8 episodes, each following a different character – a well-told thriller with many twists. Liked it. 8 out of 10 stars.
Otherwise, there was my personal highlight: the guest show.
What do you imagine? Old German people on unicycles, juggling and jumping through fire hoops.
What is actually the case? Old German people singing, playing the harmonica, reciting poems. The topics of the poems: birdhouses, gender, blackfacing. Fun for the whole family.
29 January
Impressions of Nuku Hiva.
Laaaaaand in sight. Like a zebra in a racing stable, we were raring to go, eager to set foot on this jewel of an island. A giant phallic symbol shines atop a hill, now crowded with German tourists. A beach with white sand and nearly white sea stretches out behind it, and just 430 metres further stands a mango tree, whose fruits taste so much like paradise that you never want to eat anything else again. (KITSCHY)
This way of travelling still puzzles me. This "You have four and a half hours" personally stresses me out and confirms even more how little I want to be on cruise ships.
A spectacular sunset in French Polynesia and a concert by two wonderfully talented, amazing people from the team. (No, Florian did not sing.)
30 January
Happy release to a fantastic artist and a very close person. How proud can one be? 100!
Another island in French Polynesia was approached. An island with the initial letter A. (To be updated.)
As someone from the acting ensemble wanted to truly immerse themselves in Cast Away, they opened a coconut for the team and family WITH BARE HANDS. Similar feeling to the mango.
Tropical shower – Singing in the Rain – chips stand halfway – sunshine on the beach with sharks and giant crabs – a cold drink at a small hut, more sharks, and many, many old German people.
This island with A is a great taste of the two weeks ahead on Bora Bora. We can’t wait anymore.
31 January
And so it is done. A very important life experience is coming to an end. Still having breakfast on board, but the suitcases are packed in the cabin, ready for the flight to "the most beautiful island in the world".
The view of Tahiti, the small town of Papeete, as I type these lines…
It is still an indescribable feeling to leave the ship. Who would have imagined this for their 27-year-old self?
We will probably miss the rocking. And playing bingo.
So, Goodbye, MS Amadea. Hello, Bora Bora.
See you next week.
Bussi baba.