Antwerp - FinlandDAY 6
- by Nikki and Pol
- Wednesday, July 20, 2022
I am already showered when the Timca docks again in Hanko this morning around 7 o'clock. At half past seven we are sitting at the breakfast table, with the intention of leaving the ship as soon as possible for a last bicycle ride through the village. There is nothing left to be unloaded here and only a little bit of loading to be done, so the ship will not remain moored for long. Arnout has heard from the captain that the time they gain this way will not be used to arrive earlier at the next port, but rather to sail a little slower. As we were told earlier, sailing 3 to 4 knots slower saves up to 40 percent on fuel. And that gives the shipping company a nice advantage.
On the port grounds, unlike the day before yesterday, it is very quiet.
And because of the early hour, the same goes for Hanko. It is a pity, however, that the water tower, the main attraction of the place, is only open at 11 o'clock, because by that time we are expected back on the Timca. So we cycle to a little peninsula just past the center, where we enjoy a cup of coffee and the view of the sea on the terrace of the historic café Neljän Tuulen Tupa (House of the Four Winds).
The way back again leads past a series of beautiful wooden villas.
It's a good thing that we brought our own bikes, even though it takes some effort to get them on and off the ship every time. Because two young crew members have run off with the Timca's bicycles, Arnout has to go on foot. And even in a small harbor like Hanko it is a long walk before you even leave the harbor area.
Finally, it is about half past one before the Timca leaves Hanko. Again we will sail around Denmark and will not see the Kiel Canal. We expect to arrive in Antwerp early Saturday morning. Two and a half days of sailing ahead of us.
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