Steven Hill
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When most people think of taking a cruise, it involves an ocean liner, fancy clothes and shuffleboard. For local traveler Doreen Ramus, her idea of a sea voyage is hopping aboard a freighter ship and seeing the world from a unique perspective.
Ramus, who turns 80 in July, will be giving a lively and informative talk about her travels by freighter at the Squamish Public Library on Monday Jan. 30 at 7 p.m.
"I am going to be talking about my travels by freighter and the reason I love doing it," she said. "I am going to be showing some slides of my freighter travels, as well."
Ramus originally came to this country by freighter, and has been on many trips since, she said.
"I came from England on a freighter to Canada in 1952 and I went home on the same freighter from Vancouver back to England through the Panama," Ramus said. "I also went to South America by freighter to Buenos Aires, and I have also been all around the Mediterranean and around the world by freighter."
She said traveling by a working ship rather than a cruise ship makes for a more interesting journey.
"The reason I love freighters is there are very few passengers," she said. "Some people may think that is a bit dice-y, but if you don't like people [on the freighter] you can always deal with it somehow.
"Because there are few people on a freighter, you get to know people in detail, where they are coming from, not just geographically, but mentally as well, which fascinates me, because I have nursed all my life and I love people," she said. "It gives you a sense of freedom to be on a freighter, and you don't need to get all 'dollied up' to compete with other people."She said because there are so few passengers on a freighter, you get treated as a first class passenger. But as it is a working ship, there are no theatres, shops or diversions onboard during the long hours at sea.
"There will be times at sea when you se nothing but sea, but I read, and I write to keep myself occupied," she said. "I also get to know the crew and the officers and I love watching how everyone works on a freighter."
Ramus said she has traveled by freighter alone, with a friend and with a husband, but assured it was quite easy to book a trip."There is a website called freighterworld.com and you can get on to that and find out about all the freighter trips around the world," she said. "The next one I want to go on is down around the horn to Antarctica, to Buenos Aires."
Hear Ramus' freighter tales at the Squamish Public Library on Monday Jan. 30 at 7 p.m.
Entry is by donation in support of the Don Ross Secondary School Outdoor Leadership Programme.
