Barge to Hell 2012, Day 5, Schwag, Final Words and Thank You

I6Z6A6N NOTE: This was posted on January 3, 2013, but the date reflected on the top is for organizational purposes.

The morning after the last full day of Barge to Hell. Just like my previous Metal Festival experiences, this is the day when you leave behind a magical place that can't be replicated. When you look around and see people who understand and get what you're all about, and realize your going back to "civilization", it's a terrible feeling but a necessary evil as moments like these don't happen often for Metal fans (unless you're in Europe, lucky bastards \m/). With this negative feeling comes a positive memory that will remain in the mind for a very long time.

Looking back, the trip was unique but familiar, as it was my first Metal Cruise (and my first cruise ever). To say I had anticipations of what to expect would be an understatement, as my mind was flooded with expectations that were beyond all my Metal experiences, and that's a lot of Metal.

After everything was said and done, it was a \m/ HEAVY \m/ experience that left 4 days missing from my life. It also allowed me a chance to look deep inside myself in a way I never had a chance to do so, and changed me in a way that as of this writing, I still can't figure out.

Onward, to the final chapter of the Barge.

December 7, a day that will live in infamy. While the history books indicates this was the day of the Pearl Harbor Attack, another historical moment was in the making. A historic moment made of Steel. This was the day the Barge to Hell was officially over, ending another successful chapter in the History of Metal.

Upon waking up, the boat was already docked in the starting point of this journey, the Port of Miami, with all the Metalheads either still asleep or waking up and taking advantage of the breakfast the vessel offered before heading off to the next part of their journey (and for some, it was a long one).

Barge to Hell 2012, Day 4

The last full day of the Barge to Hell. The "it's going to end" feeling has begun to rear it's ugly head. One thing about my Metal experiences is that it has prepared me for this day, and to take the saying that has been said time and again but very applicable to this situation, "all good things must come to an end".

For those of you who have not gone to Metal Festivals, this is a feeling you will one day feel as the last full day is what you make out of it and will leave the mark on the festival you attended. Some people go full throttle to get the last shits and giggles out of their system, where as for others it is the opportunity to wind down and soak in the festival in a calm state, to prepare to get back to "civilization".

Barge to Hell 2012, Day 3

The invasion of the Bahamas. At least, that's what it looked like when you consider a horde of black-shirt clad, raging Metal Maniacs pouring out of the ship and into Nassau. This was the port of call to give ourselves a break from the confines of the boat and explore a unique island most of us have never visited before.

As someone who has lived in Miami his entire life, the Bahamas are always mentioned in some way, shape or form. From the locals who travel there, to the Bahamians who live in my city, I have always known, but never experienced the Bahamas, until this trip. What lay ahead was an adventure that was foreign, but familiar, as well as some Metal discoveries I never expected to find.

Barge to Hell 2012, Day 2

The second day of Barge to Hell, and while last nights Pool Deck debacle did put a sour taste for the voyage, it didn't ruin the experience entirely as things like this is almost expected in a Metalheads journey. Think about it, how many times have you gone to a concert, from the local bar shows to the shows in night clubs to the medium sized venues to the mega stadiums and even festivals, and there has been some kind of delay and/or issue to get the bands playing? Today was the first full day of the Barge to Hell, meaning, an entire day of Metal madness from morning until the wee hours of the nights, this was one party that was only starting to warm up.

Speaking of morning, I managed to get some breakfast in the Windjammers Café, and was joined by surprisingly many other Metalheads (we're not known for being morning people, that's why we excel in working night shifts, where we belong). Probably the different time zones where they come from grants them the ability to be awake so early in the morning? A Metallic Scientific Hypothesis.

Barge to Hell 2012, Day 1

Good day everybody,

I know Metal Trek was neglected worse than a Glam Metal band during the late 90's, but I finally got an update of "Hellacious" proportions.

Metal Trek presents Barge to Hell, Day 1.

My day started waking up with an unusual feeling of anticipation as I double checked all my belongings I prepared the night before to make certain I had everything I needed to embark on the first edition of Barge to Hell. I packed the usual items needed for a cruise (Passport, confirmation paper, sun tan lotion, boardshorts, regular shorts and jeans, my Chuck Taylor All Stars & sandals, shirts (my tie dye Metal shirts finest hour), skull dress shirt, and some new sunglasses and a special hat I built for this cruise (more on these later)).

This was my first time on a Metal cruise as the previous editions of 70,000 Tons of Metal (same organizers for both cruises) I wasn't able to make it, and to this day I kick myself in the ass for "missing the boat" (pun intended). This was also my redemption for missing the first 70,000 Tons of Metal.

I found my way to the Metromover (a free method of public transportation near downtown Miami) after parking my car and got off the station nearest to the Port of Miami. I walked my way to the bridge and saw the vessel that was going to be called home for the next 5 days, the Majesty of the Seas.