YESTERDAY, I went to Vivo City yesterday and saw this great ship docked at Habourfront. It is awesome. Swedish Ship Götheborg is a large, magnificent ancient-looking sailship, a replica of the vessel that sunk in 1745 off the Swedish West Coast.

The Great Swedish Ship Götheborg

The great fullrigged wooden sailing ship is a combination of tradition 18th century craftmanship with moden machinery such as Volvo Penta Engine, GPS and Radar systems (mainly use to detect pirates). It was launched 6th of June 2003 and this reconstruction project was once considered by many as an impossible feat.

Together with the great ship, 80 crew members and 50 volunteers, embarked their great expedition to major oceans, seas and ports, following the route as its predecessors 260 years ago. It has since been to cities like Cadiz, Cape Town, Jakarta, Guangdong, Hong Kong and of course Singapore. So envy of the volunteers. How I wish I am one of them now.

The only regret is that I have missed the grand welcome ceremony for Götheborg and also the return salute from the Swedish crew with their cannons. Still, I am glad to be able to understand more about their hometown, Gotheburg, their agriculture, technologies advancement, economy, culture, etc ... through the exhibition that was held within the mall of Vivo City. At least, I now know that Gotherburg is actually the home of Volvo Cars.

Come on!! Visit the ship while it is still here.

1. The official Website of the Swedish Ship Götheborg. It includes captain's and crew journal. Go read them!!

http://www.soic.se/engelska/inenglish.4.1e228bcf782be0db97fff408.html

2. The East Indiaman 'Gotheborg' Project

http://www.gotheborg.com/project/

3. Yahoo News: Swedish ship Gotheborg arriving in Singapore on Dec 30, 22 October 2007

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/061021/5/singapore236814.html

4. YouTube: Gotheborg on Prime Time Morning SG, 8 Jan 2007

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7aF476KIOk