The seeing-off of friends was a ritual in the days when many expats, especially civil servants had sea passages to “Home” in their employment contracts.
In the years earlier than this image, friends of those departing could go on-board to view their cabin, have a few or even a lot of farewell drinks and emerge blinking into the sunshine just as the gangways were being withdrawn. By the time of this photo access to go aboard was becoming security restricted.
These farewell rituals have long since disappeared. Close viewing of a departing cruise liner is difficult at the Kai Tak terminal with its extensive gardens, intrusive architecture and barriers around the pier perimeters.
Date picture taken
1981
Shows place(s)
Comments
White funnel
Thanks for the photo, IDJ.
This would have been the QE2's last visit to HK with her original slim white funnel. The following year she was requisitioned as a troop ship and sent to the Falklands (well, to South Georgia), and on her return to civilian service her funnel was painted the traditional red-and-black Cunard colours. Then in 1986/7 she got a new, fatter funnel when she was refitted with diesel-electric engines.
I was lucky to go on board…
I was lucky to go on board the QE2 several times over the years courtesy of one of the regular crew members.
It was quite surreal when being shown around the internal promenade decks mid-afternoon on a Saturday seeing elderly ladies in full evening dress emulating the dress sense of Dame Edna Everidge.