A day at sea is just what we all needed to adjust to five time changes in six days. So many people we know have been complaining about the fact that they do not sleep well when the clocks keep going back. It is true because we find that we wake up about every hour, checking the clock for the correct time. You think you slept for hours and it turns out it was only one or two hours. Then falling back asleep is not always that easy. Oh well…this too will pass.
The temperature was already 81 degrees at 7am this morning. The humidity has been creeping up and thanks for the wind speed of 19mph, it helped cool it down a bit. The forecast shows light rain, but somehow the navigators onboard are able to steer around the light downpours. We are doing a speed of 19 knots, although that may decrease the closer we get to French Polynesia.
While we were deep in photo sorting, the Captain came on with his noon update. He did slow down to 15 knots to arrive on time to Papeete, 286 nautical miles away. By noon, the thermometer read 84 degrees with partly cloudy skies. He also added that the swells were confused with 6 foot peaks. The water temperature is 86 degrees. Tomorrow he expects more of the same conditions, but a possibility of rain is there because we are here in the wet season. In other words, pack the umbrellas.
The usual activities took place with the emphasis on promotions in the shops and Effy Jewelry sections. The casino even had deals, which we can say for a fact, that so far the casino has been extremely quiet. At least when we pass through on our way to dinner, we might see a half dozen folks in there playing the slots. Most of the table games have a few guests. And we have not noticed any smokers in there, although the Casino doors by the Hudson Room have been closed every day for a few weeks now.
Lectures took place all day, with one delivered by Captain Rens about HAL memorabilia. We do need to catch up on these talks before they are erased from their system.
The day passed by all too quickly and we even forgot lunch. Dinnertime was casual with some new items such as an artichoke shrimp and cheese dip, and a beef tataki appetizer. We both had salads, then ordered one KFC or BFC as our waiter suggested. He said it stands for buttermilk fried chicken instead of Kentucky fried. The other meal was a mix of sliced pork, ham, and a hunk of sausage with some sauerkraut. Very different for an entree, but it worked. For the first time since we boarded, we spotted carrot cake on the dessert list. So we each had a small slice. It was worth the calories.
Looking forward to Papeete tomorrow. It seems like we were just there, but then again, we were here last November. That's why it is beginning to feel like coming home.
And no time change this evening. There was a show with vocalists Superduo singing a unique musical journey with the classics. The movie was Gauguin Voyage to Tahiti.
Bill & Mary Ann
