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It was the last day of my New Zealand holiday. I was in Queenstown mesmerised by its beauty. Since my flight was in the afternoon, I booked myself for the TSS Earnslaw Vintage Cruise in the morning, so I can spend some more time sailing on the lake Wakatipu. After breakfast, I reached the Steamer Wharf to board the 105 year old, vintage steamship, the oldest one in the southern hemisphere. The ship was big and soon started filling with families and children. I got some coffee from the on-board café as the cruise started with a classic hoot. I took a seat next to a window and enjoyed the breathtaking view of the snow-clad mountains, the beautiful lake and small houses across the lake. While I was enjoying the view, I was pricked by the icy cold winds and a feeling of being lonely in the crowd. As the ship sailed, I could hear a sweet music of someone playing a piano! Never thought there could be a piano on-board! So I started walking towards the sound of the music and found an old lady playing a vintage piano with ease and beauty! I was instantaneously charmed by her soothing smile and melody, and sat near to her. As she looked at me and smiled I immediately felt a bond, as if I found that companion I was probably seeking for! I got lost in her music and forgot about the cold and icy winds. As the ship docked at Walter Peak she took a quick break from her sessions. Most of the people got down in this port making the ship almost empty. During this break she asked me about my where about and we started talking. I learned that she started playing piano as a teen but had to give up her love, for sustenance. She was a farmer and her life was all about hard work for family. When she retired, she decided to get back to her lost love. And here she was, playing the piano on-board in the oldest cruise of the southern hemisphere! She must be in her 90s, old, yet so elegant in her manners. She walked gracefully, very slowly holding a stick, her fingers were bandaged, probably from injuries playing the piano every day. Her hands shook when she walked or while she made her tea but not when she was playing the piano. She sat at one corner and looked at the lake and the mountains while having a quick bite before the next session started. I wondered what she was thinking - maybe she was thinking that she had a gratified life or maybe thinking what to cook for her grandchildren, whom she was meeting that evening for dinner! She could predict if it will snow or not by looking at the sky. Her favourite season was summer, because it was tough to work in the fields in winter. She told me how March, April and May are the most beautiful months in Queenstown and how much she enjoyed meeting new people every day in the cruise and playing piano for them! I could have listened to her all day, but soon we reached the marina and it was time to bid goodbye. She gifted me a song book as a souvenir. I was touched and requested her to autograph the book in return. She was quite surprised by this request but seemed quite pleased as she wrote with her quivering, soft, elderly hand. Before we said goodbye we hugged and she said, “The world is small, we will meet again very soon!” I left the cruise and took the song book out from my bag to read what she has written. “Best wishes from Elenor, Queenstown, NZ”, my heart melted with her kind words and the beautiful memory, that will be with me forever. Suddenly there was a gust of icy wind that hit my face but this time I smiled and felt wonderful, life was good. Will miss you Elenor but like you said, we will meet very soon!