“The postings on this site are my own and don't represent Maersk Group's position, strategies or opinions. All views are my own”
No longer any need to use the Internet Explorer or run the Internet Explorer rendering engine. I gave up IE after the introduction of Internet Explorer 11 Page is tested in Fire Fox, Chrome and Safari. Looks like it works OK in all browsers, except the sounds in Safari. Of course, browsing www.aladdin.st in Safari on an iPad is a different story, nothing looks as it should
Friday 1stof February 2013and we start the month of February with a fan mail. Well, seems like there are more people appreciating good music and I will keep my eyes, well, ears open for some
E-mail from web page
Yo! I hope you are feeling better. Malaria? Get well soon, Love reading your adventures. Check the page every day. Post some more music. I always discover new songs when you post them.
exciting music to put on my web page. The work with my jukebox has started, but the lack of time...
Maybe on the way to Africa, looks like our next voyage will be with Palm Oil Products from Indonesia/ Malaysia to Mombasa,Madagascar and Durban. And it is time for me to leave when we're back in Singapore. Well, I have my time in Durban, but I want to dodge the J-burg to Bangkok killer flight so I'm better off staying until Singapore.
And who knows, maybe there will be time for a San Miguel Light or 2 in Singapore. Haven't been at ClubStreet for quite some time now and it would be nice to come back.
CT 3 Stb was ready just after 3 o'clock and I relieved 2nd Officer in the CCR so he could go for a coffin nail. The terminal is topping up one of their tanks so a maximum rate of 200m3/h was requested. So we had to stay up waiting for the last tank to be swept for a little extra. Never mind, I have been red since 11 o'clock yesterday evening, so just bring it on.
The guys swept 2 tanks during the night, 3 P/S, the last thanks to be swept here in Krishnapatnam. Now we will discharge remaining from CT 6 and there will be about 1000m3 remaining for Haldia. Well, I was back in my cabin at 4 thirty and I willhopefully get some sleep before we're ready here in Krishnapatnam.
The guys preparing to go down the last tank
Going down the last tank
Going down the last tank
Took me some time, but I managed to fall asleep and they called me at 9 thirty. We were going tocomplete discharging in 20 minutes. I finished my last BIG bottle of ZERO and I had a shower before getting down to the CCR.
We had completed the paper work at 1110 and all the people left. The Surveyor told me that we had been doing a very good job with the discharging.
And I could not remember any remark about a job done GOOD in the paper work. - What the? I flipped through the paper work - Can't see any remarks about any GOOD job done in my paper work! - Where to add this remark? - Why not go crazy and do it on the dry tank certificate?
I also told him that he might end up on a PanamaGreek ship with a only God knows what Chief Officer next time and that he was better off enjoying this moment for a very long time. - Next time you might be neck deep in shit!
Yes, the receivers and Surveyor was very happy with the job done, but I was disappointed, at least to say. The receiver of the second parcel and the Surveyor told me that they would “try” to arrange Diet Pepsi for me. But: - Trouble with the custom, not possible to bring on board so much Diet Pepsi - I'm most disappointed - I will notify the people in Haldia and they will arrange Diet Pepsi for you - I'm still most disappointed
I finished the paper work in the CCR and I had a quick breakfast/ lunch. Yes, I didn't have my 2 slices of black bread with cheese this morning so I threw in those on top of my lunch.
Pilot was onboard at 12:20 and we left Krishnapatnam 20 minutes before 1 o'clock in the afternoon. I was in my bed around 3 thirty but I failed to fall asleep so I was soon up again.
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Saturday 2ndof February 2013and today it is Saturday. Yesterday I was more than a wee bit disappointed when I came to dinner. I had expected a “GRAND” dinner. But when I came to the mess room I discovered that it was Friday and it would have cost me 1000$ if I wanted to have a“GRAND” dinner.
I felt peckish and Toblerone sprung to mind. Toblerone, I had quite an adventure going back to my cabin, disappointed with the dinner.
Yes, I had expected to be able to eat chocolate, ice cream and pan cakes for dinner. But I had mixed up the days and I only had some meat and fruit so I decided to get some Toblerone from the slop chest on my way back to my cabin.
I filled my pocketswith Toblerone in the slop chest and I sneaked back to my cabin dodging all the people. And I must say that it was quite exciting and I will most likely do it again.
I was craving for some chocolate, but I did for sure not want to pay any 1000$. Ofcourse, I felt bad when I had finished the chocolate. But tonight I will have ice cream and chocolate. But first tank cleaning and I meet the crew in my office at 8 in the morning.
I put 2 of my top guys to clean the hatches, butterworth holes and the pipes to the P/V valves. The 2 other top guys started to open the tank cleaning machines. And my other top gun started to paint on deck.
At 8 thirty we had 10 bars pressure on the tank cleaning pumps and 8 tank cleaning machines running. And our arse kicking 2nd Engineer was soon having hot water for me. And yes, I'm I glad that we have got our new 2nd Engineer on board. I will finish this in about 7 hours, half the ship.
I was back in my cabin at 5 o'clock pleased with a day's work as I never been before on board Britta Maersk. We had been kicking arse and it had been a real TEAM work thanks to our new 2nd Engineer. I had a shower and I was soon in the mess room for my “GRAND” Saturday dinner. And of course, I had way too much and I felt bad when I was back in my cabin. Time for a new amendment to my “diet” bet?
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Sunday 3rdof February 2013and I went to meet the crew in the CCR at 8 o'clock. The plan was for us to mop the cleaned cargo tanks today, but I changed my mind. We will arrive to the pilotstation in the evening and we expect to drop the anchor. But you never know so it is better to prepare the deck. The crew was blinding the pipes to the cleaned tanks and they opened the blinds to the tanks we were going to discharge.
I went to the bridge and it was foggy and the radar screen was full of fishing boats. But at the end of the watch the visibility got better and a foggy morning turned out to a gorgeous day.
A gorgeous day was soon turning in to bad day. I ran in to our 3rd Engineer and he was eatingn utella
and I could not help myself, I turned in to a sweet tooth and I was soon in the slop chest filling my pocket with Toblerone.
We dropped anchor around 6 o'clock in the evening and Captain came down to the mess room when I and our 2nd engineer finished our dinner. Well, as our 2nd Engineer and I are gregarious I had a bowl of vegetable soup (that’s even though I have hide some Toblerone in my cabin) and our 2ndEngineer had a piece of apple pie. According to him it was a very good apple pie, but I doubt that the apple pie is worth 1000$.
Well, now we will have to see for how long we will have to wait here at the anchorage.
And if you vere quick to check my updates yesterday you might wonder about the changes made. I uploaded my web page yesterday and then I realised that the company would most likely not be very interested in having pictures of Chief Officer drinking from the manifold drains. But then again “The postings on this site are my own and don't represent Maersk Group's position, strategies or opinions. All views are my own”
I was on deck checking the water coming out from the tanks when we fresh water rinsed the tanks yesterday, yes, I'm old fashioned and I don't trust computer screens and technology as the new “computer game” generation. So I like to see the water coming out from the tanks. Of course, with oil products we only transfer the tank cleaning water to the slop tank. But chemicals and veg oil is allowed to transfer overboard so I can check how it looks.
With acid and caustic soda, a piece of litmus paper is your best friend. You can see exactly when the tanks are ready. But with the veg oil and fresh water you're best friend is your taste budds.
so I went out on the manifold to “try” the water and what the? Is it electrolyte coming out from the manifold? I had been down in 1 of the tanks, 80°C and steam so I needed a bottle of electrolyte after that adventure. I had been in my cabin drinking 1500ml electrolyte enjoying music in my cabin when I came up from the tank. I had been walking up all the stairs to my cabin when I could have opened the manifold for as much electrolyte I could wish for.
Testing the water from CT4
They are most likely using palm oil when makingn utella
. But this is better thann utella
Testing the water from CT4
They are most likely using palm oil when makingn utella
. But this is better thann utella
Testing the water from CT3
They are most likely using palm oil when makingn utella
. But this is better thann utella
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Monday 4thof February 2013and I can't say that the enthusiasm was bubbling in my blood at 7 thirty when my alarm clock went off. But I was eager to get down to our cargo tanks to see theresult of the cleaning. I was down in one tank when we had finished the cleaning, but 80°C and steam in the tank and I was soon back up on deck.
I even skipped my breakfast and we were soon in cargo tank 3 Stb and the tank looked beautiful. We finished 5 tanks before the coffee break in the afternoon and I went for a shower. We will take Slop 1 & 2 tomorrow, that's about 1 hour of work for the last 2 tanks. But we need to save some of the fun for tomorrow.
Thanks to our 2nd engineer and the hot water we had completed the cleaning in a record breaking time, this time we only needed to mop up the water from the tank bottom. And if we have had trim we would have made it even quicker. But as we're going up River Hugli to Haldia we can only have 7 meters draft in FW and I don't want to take in any ballast to obtain any trim.
We also received some kind of berthing prospects during the day, 14 or 15th or February and we can look forward to 10 more days on Sagar anchorage at the mouth of River Hugli, The Ganges
The Hooghly River
(Bengali হুগলী, Hugli; Anglicized alternatively spelled Hoogli or Hugli) or the Bhāgirathi-Hooghly, is an approximately 260 kilometres (160 mi) long distributary of the Ganges River in West Bengal, India. It splits from the Ganges as a canal in Murshidabad District at the Farakka Barrage. The town of Hugli-Chinsura, formerly Hooghly, is located on the river, in the Hooghly (district). The origins of the Hooghly name are uncertain, whether the city or the river was named first.
From Wikipedia
delta, exciting. Well, Hugli is a arm of Ganges passing through Calcutta. And our Indian 3rd Officer told me that Ganges changed name in every Indian province.
I have been on Ganges back in the early 90's when I was in Varanasi and I saw river Ganges when I was in Calcutta. But I didn't knew it was called river Hugli
Well, learning new stuff every day. I watched a few episodes of “ How I met you mother
” after dinner and at 8 o'clock I went to the bridge for yet another exciting evening with tea and music at Saga anchorage.
Ganges back in 1992
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Tuesday 5thof February 2013and I was looking forward to yet another day at Sagar anchorage. We finished the Slop tank 1 & 2 in the morning and we launched our life boat and MOB boat in the afternoon. So we get a lot of things done here at the anchorage.
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Wednesday 6thof February 2013and I was looking forward to yet another day at Sagar anchorage. The crew is washing down the superstructure and when it was getting hot and sunnyafter the coffee break they continued to paint and chip on deck.
The time up to lunch was very quick, first of course tea and my black bread. Then I checked old voyages to see how much they have been able to load to get to maximum draft.
Then our Pump man came on the bridge after the coffee break and we made a requisition. Looks like we will get 3 extra painters onboard so we need painting material.
New berthing prospects were received during the day, changed from 14/15 Feb to 17/18 Feb. Well, looks like we will have plenty time for painting and stuff. Our 2nd officer and I brought all our gas detectors to the bridge and we will calibrate them tomorrow afternoon on the bridge. Will Iyet again see our 2nd Officer turning in to Chief Officer Jr?
Well, it was soon time for dinner and today I skipped the Toblerone adventure. But I'm looking forward to yet another evening on the bridge enjoying my tea and music.
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Thursday 7thof February 2013and yes, we're still at Sagar anchorage. I had prepared my 2 slices of black bread yesterday so i could go straight to the bridge after my shower. Pump Mancame to the bridge a few minutes after me and we did the cargo temperatures before I enjoyed my tea and black bread. Time turned quick and it was soon time for lunch.
I had called 2nd Officer 11 thirty and he went to the CCR and we tested the light for the 98% alarm. When we tested it in Krishnapatnam I could not see the light.
Must have been because of the sun shining in to the light because the light was working today and I was in a good mood.
Our 2nd officer and I had brought our gas detection equipment to the bridge yesterday and we would test it during the afternoon. But first I had a quick lunch and when I was back on the bridgeour 2nd officer was yet again transformed in to Chief Officer Jr. so this will be fun.
I had tested our personal gas detectors yesterday and they were all working, except one with a busted HC sensor. So I left this one for Chief Officer Jr. - HEY! The HC sensor is not working!! - Well, good luck that I brought tools and a new sensor, I said while taking out tools and sensors from my pockets.
And as I told him “Good luck for you, now you will soon know how to change the sensor” We changed the sensor and I showed him to adjust alarm limits on the instrument. Then we calibrated our explosion meters and Oxygen meters. And when we were finished
Hydrogen sulfide
is the chemical compound with the formula H2S. It is a colorless gas with the characteristic foul odor of rotten eggs; it is heavier than air, very poisonous, corrosive, flammable and explosive.
Hydrogen sulfide often results from the bacterial breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen, such as in swamps and sewers; this process is commonly known as anaerobic digestion. H2S also occurs in volcanic gases, natural gas, and some well waters. The human body produces small amounts of H2S and uses it as a signalling molecule.
Dissolved in water, hydrogen sulfide is known as hydrosulfuric acid or sulfhydric acid, a weak acid.
From Wikipedia
with all the fun our Chief Officer Jr. had to fill up the log book. Then we could start with the real funny stuff, the Gas Detection Tubes for toxic gases.
We filled a bag with gas containing both H2S and CO (Hydrogen Sulfide & Carbon Monoxid) and I took the opportunity to explain for him howto test gas from tanks that are for example 20 meters. The hose is only 10 meters and if you tell the Vetting Inspector that you use 2 hoses when he ask how youtest the tank atmosphere he will most likely get an instant Delhi belly.
We connected a bag on the out let on one of our explosion meters and the explosion meter can suck sample gas from 20 meters. When the bag was full we
Carbon monoxide
(CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is slightly lighter than air. It is toxic to humans and animals when encountered in higher concentrations, although it is also produced in normal animal metabolism in low quantities, and is thought to have some normal biological functions. In the atmosphere it is spatially variable, short lived, having a role in the formation of ground-level ozone.
Carbon monoxide consists of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom, connected by a triple bond that consists of two covalent bonds as well as one dative covalent bond. It is the simplest oxocarbon, and isoelectronic with the cyanide ion and molecular nitrogen. In coordination complexes the carbon monoxide ligand is called carbonyl.
Carbon monoxide is produced from the partial oxidation of carbon-containing compounds; it forms when there is not enough oxygen to produce carbon dioxide (CO2), such as when operating a stove or an internal combustion engine in an enclosed space. In the presence of oxygen, carbon monoxide burns with a blue flame, producing carbon dioxide. Coal gas, which was widely used before the 1960s for domestic lighting, cooking, and heating, had carbon monoxide as a significant constituent. Some processes in modern technology, such as iron smelting, still produce carbon monoxide as a by product.
From Wikipedia
connected the Gas Detection Tube and we sucked the test gas through the Gas Detection Tube with a special pump. And IPSI WIPSI WU, we could read how much toxic gas there was in the sample.
If you answer a vetting Inspector that you do it this way he will be happy. Of course, unnecessary to explain, this has to be special bags. Don't come running with an empty plastic bag. Then it is instant Delhi belly and a remark. And depended on the mood, it might even be a HIGH RISK.
We tested both H2S and CO tubes before we finished for the day. Yet another busy afternoon and I was surprised that I had found the time to scream to the crew on deck during our GAS DETECTOR ADVENTURE EXTRAVAGANZA on the bridge.
I was back in my cabin at 2 thirty and I tried to get some sleep. I was dead tired, but I was wide awake as soon as I hit my bed and I was soon in my shower. Well, it willhopefully be easy to fall asleep tonight. But I always drink 4 litres of tea in the night and I spend the night tossin' and turnin' in bed.
Even though I was busy with Chief Officer Jr. I had time to give pointers to the guys on deck
Even though I was busy with Chief Officer Jr. I had time to give pointers to the guys on deck
Even though I was busy with Chief Officer Jr. I had time to give pointers to the guys on deck
I went to check the cargo temperatures before dinner and after dinner I had an evening constitutionalwith Captain. We went to check the newly painted “wipe lash” areas on thefoc'c's'le and then we went to the engine to see if it was possible to isolate the engine room area in case of a pirate attack.
I was back in my cabin around 6 thirty with a mug of tea I had made on the bridge. I will have time to watch a few episodes of Blue Mountain State or whatever the series is called before going for more tea on the bridge at 8.
Well, and then I have put yet another day behind me and there willhopefully be more excitements awaiting me for tomorrow.
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Friday 8thof February 2013and we spent yet another day at Sagar anchorage. I discovered increasing wind when I came to the bridge in the morning. After 5 days with a sea looking like a mirror we had a force 5 to 6 blowing from North.
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Saturday 9thof February 2013and there is no end to the excitements here at Sagar Anchorage, at 13:00 we kicked of a oil spill drill. A broken cargo pipe and port side of tank deck is full of Naphtha. Very dangerous Naphtha.
Engineers went to close all the dampers to prevent gases to get in to the accommodation. 2nd Engineer started the foam pump and I had 2 smoke divers on deck covering the deck with foam. Icalled the bridge to alter course so we got the wind in from our Starboard side andLEL% decreased on deck. When they had covered the deck with foam the LEL% was down to 5% and I had one AB to start the oil spill pump while pump man covered him with the foam monitor.
The rest of the crew dressed for cleaning of deck, except for 2 ABs stand by withfire fighting equipment. Oil spill pump running and we were just about to start the clean up when the manifold caught fire.
Good luck I had the 2 fire fighting team ready, they were still wearing their equipment after using the foam monitor to cover deck in foam. 1 team approached the manifold with fire hosesand in cover behind the water fog. The second team was behind the first team with 2 rolls of fire hose and a nozzle.
When they reached the fire hydrant midships the second team connected their hoses in cover of the first teams water spray and then they approached the manifold and extinguished the fire. REAL HEROES!! And of course, all the excitements made me forget taking pictures
I tried to get some sleep in the afternoon but I was soon giving up. Well, anyway, soon time for my “GRAND” Saturday dinner and the following agony over my destroyed diet.
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Sunday 10thof February 2013and the guys continued the painting and chipping on deck. I had one of the ABs to check the water tight doors on deck while pump Man and one other AB greased thelife boat davit.
I was on the bridge drinking tea, always with my megaphone close bystand-by to shout pointers to the crew if needed.
I enjoyed my morning reading a bit in the IBC code. And honestly, didn't take many minutes before I was bored senseless and I went to shout at the crew with my megaphone from the bridge wing.
Time turned quick again and it was soon lunch time. Captain had spent the morning on the bridge bragging about losing 6 kg after 2 weeks on the soup “ONLY”.
Greasing the wire
And that's even though, yes, that's even though I have caught him eating candy in his cabin. - OH!! This?? This is only 5 pieces previous Captain left in the cabin.
Never mind, I decided to start with the soup tomorrow, 8 weeks remaining and that will be about
Before
After
24kg less of Aladdin when I go home. And as we will order the boxingequipment here in Haldia (+ of course a few cases of Diet Pepsi) I willhopefully be able to put a few extra kg on top of the 24 kg. Guess who’s going to look good when he his coming home.
OK, So I prepared myself for tomorrow when Iwas ready with my dinner. 2 slices of black bread with cheese for breakfast and I filled my pockets with apples. And I'll be darned, on my way back to my cabin I stopped at the slop chest for some Toblerone.
And I was lucky, only 2 Toblerone left and I took both of them and I sneaked back to my cabin dodging all the peopleon the lookout for the 1000$ “eating” fine.
I finished the Toblerone while watching Criminal minds and the agony hit me like a sledge hammer as soon as I had finished the Toblerone. Actually, the remorse was so severe that Iwent to bed to study my Thai books.
Took me almost 2 months before I finally opened my Thai books. Better late than never, but I have also been very busy and there haven't been much time to study Thai since I joined the ship in Durban back in December 2012.
OK, I didn't had much time, a few minutes, soon time to go to the bridge to enjoy some tea and music before going to bed at midnight. But a few minutes is better than nothing. But tomorrow.... I will start to kick arse with my Thai books.
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Monday 11thof February 2013and I was on the bridge a few minutes before 8 in the morning.Fresh out of the shower and I was soon having the kettle on. Our 3rd officer had prewarmed the water for me and I had boiling water in a jiff.
I enjoyed my 2 slices of black bread with cheese and a mug of tea on the bridge wing. A gorgeous morning and it is a very comfortable temperature in the shadow. And of course, I had our 3rd officer to take a few pictures of me having my outdoor breakfast.
And as we can see it is not the thinnest slice of cheese on the bread, but cheese is healthy. And I need some energy to get me started in the morning, but for the rest of the day it is soup only.
But I'm reminded about the farmhand having dinner withthe farmer every time I have my black bread withcheese. The farmhand was having his dinner with the farmer. And as the farmer was at least to say cheap the farmhand wasn't very satisfiedwith the food he got. - Thank God!! I have got my eyesight back! Yesterday I could not see the butter on the sandwich and today I can see the church through the slice of cheese.
Well, anyway, I completed my discharge plan when I finished with my tea and black bread/ cheese. Good, we will have a briefing about armed robbery on the bridgeafter lunch so there will not be any time for any cargo plans in the afternoon.
Our crew was on deck working and I could see one of our ABs greasing the Suez derrick on the fo'c's'le and I took a picture of him through the binocular from the bridge.
Time was pretty quick and it was soon time for lunch, a few quick bowls of our special DIETsoup and then I was off to inspect some stuff on deck before our armed robbery briefing @ 13:00 and then I was off for a power nap, and I willhopefully be able to fall asleep so I'm full of vim for tonight's excitements.
I spent an hour with my Thai books after dinner and I was pretty pleased with my day. Black bread, soup and apples and when I sign off I'm gonna be cooler than Brian....
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Tuesday 12thof February 2013and I woke up to yet another day at Sagar anchorage. By now it starts to get a wee bit boring, but I would like to stay until Monday and I will have managed to get my binders and documents in good order in my office. So far I have not have any time for my office and I can't find anything, but here at the anchorage I have the time to get organized.
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Wednesday 13thof February 2013and we're looking forward to yet another day on the anchorage.And it looked to be a gloomy and grey day on the anchorage. Cloudy and foggy.
Still no news about our berthing and by now it will be very nice to leave the anchorage.
Time turned pretty quick and it was soon time for lunch, 2 bowls of soup and my belt is getting bigger by the day. So I felt very good after my soup, yes, still a wee bit hungry, but I was looking so much better. I turned cartwheels through myoffice and out on deck. I checked a few things before I was back in my office at 1 o'clock to meet the crew. We were going to test the emergency hand pump for the hydraulic valves so all crew know how to use the pump.
We got some berthing prospects during the afternoon, 17:30 tomorrow. If all goes well that is.
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Thursday 14thof February 2013and there was still no news about our berthing at 17:30 when I left the bridge for lunch. The crew spent the day painting and greasing our deck cranes and I spent the afternoon with the heating. Late afternoon and we got a call from Haldia Port Control, berthing in the middle of the night. They would call us one hour later for more information at 16:00. In the middle of the night and I reallyhope I can get some sleep before arrival.
At 17 thirty it was full panic in the mess room, at 6 o'clock we had to start heave up our anchor and start to get to the pilot station for the convoy up the River Ganges towards Haldia.
OK, it has come to my knowledge that we have senior citizens visiting my web page. How hard can itbe? So it's not very easy for them to see the blue coloured links to the next page.
Jiffy (also jiff)
noun[in SING.] informal a moment: we'll be back in a jiffy.
ORIGINlate 18th cent.: of unknown origin.
So as you understand, in a jiff pretty much depends on your internet.
So I put a “Next” button here and I hope that there isn't any problem to understand how to use that one. So just CLICK the “Next” button on your left hand side and you will be on the next page in a jiff!
Marunong ka mag-tagalog? Walang problema! Magpunta sa kabilang pahina pindutin ang “NEXT” button sa itaas
Faites vous parlez le français? Pas de problème! Pour arriver à la page suivante faites s'il vous plaît un déclic le bouton “Next” ci-dessus!
Haga usted dice el español? No hay problema! Ver la siguiente página sólo hacer clic el botón “Next” encima!
Farla parla l'italiano? Non problemi! Per vedere la prossima pagina lo scatto per favore giusto Il bottone “Next” sopra
Sprechen sie Deutsch! Kein problem! Wenn Sie die folgende Seite sehen wollen gerade klicken der Knopf “Next” oben!