Report # 20 Sailing Towards Easter Island January 17, 2014 Friday Sunny, partly cloudy, 82 degrees

Full moon on our way towards Easter Island

Today is the start of four full days at sea before we reach Easter Island. If the weather is like this all the way, we will be happy campers. We have lost the humidity we experienced in Lima, and are enjoying a crisp, clean breeze mixed with warm sun. The seas are rolling with some pretty sizable swells however. If that continues, there may be problems with tendering at Easter Island. But we are a long ways away at this point, so we will keep positive thoughts

On the front page of the daily newsletter, there was a long explanation about the problems with the internet. Seems the fault lies with the satellite tracking equipment that does not stay locked on to the communications satellite, causing it to lose the signal. We are asked for our continued patience in the interim. With no other options, we have no choice but to wait it out.

At breakfast, we asked Presti about how many passengers are full world cruise guests. He said 672. He added that this first segment to Sydney will be the fullest the ship will be with a total of over 900 plus guests. The nice part of these numbers is that nothing has been over crowded. No lines anywhere. Now that may change when we try for the tenderboats to Easter Island. With priority tendering, we should not need to get tickets. Last year, we found that the tour people took priority over the high star Mariners, even though we should be mixed with those groups leaving the ship. We shall see if this works better this year.

A new guest speaker is on the scene. He is David Smith, a very friendly camera guru, and his wife Anna Banana, as he always introduces her. On previous trips, he has made himself available to guests who need to ask questions regarding their individual cameras.

Diamonds and colored gems are the subject of Bea Kessler, who will present the collection by Kallati with a champagne reception. At the same time, the first wine tasting event was held in the dining room for the price of $15. At some point, we should be invited to one of these as a perk of the Mariner club.

Explorers Lounge, deck five

Another guest speaker appeared on the roster by the name of Michael Bikerman. His speech will deal with an introduction to Planet Earth and the historical explanation for the existence of the Pacific Ocean, the largest body of ocean in the world.

Second seating Cruise Specialist group

At 7pm, we were invited along with the rest of the second seating CS guests for the first cocktail party in the Explorers Lounge. Earlybirds went at 4:30pm, an hour before their dinnertime. It was a great opportunity to visit with folks we know from many past cruises. You know what is funny? Some of these folks we saw the first days of the cruise, then never ran into them again. We have come to the conclusion that those on different schedules according to their assigned dining times, seldom cross paths during the day. Anyway the drinks were flowing freely and we never had empty glasses. Tom M. gave his short and sweet welcome at the end, and we all went to dinner. The only one missing from our table was Barb, who does not book with the same agency.

The bar set-up

The newly-boarded Tahitian team gave a short performance in the Queens Lounge at 7:30pm. That would have cut into our party, so none of us went. We are sure to see these girls around the ship doing some dance teaching, just as we saw on the Statendam last fall. 

Tasty beef brisket

Chilean sea bass

The show from last night, singers and dancers, was OK, according to our tablemates. Kind of the same/same, but according to Bill from New York, he enjoyed the costuming, or should we say the lack of costuming. Well that kept the fellows interested for a change. Tonight's show was a comedian, Rick Starr.

An unexpected gift was waiting for each of us tonight in our room. They are Easter Island guide books about the history, culture, and individual archaeological sites of Rapa Nui. And both were personally signed by Captain Jonathon.

A guide to Easter Island x 2

Written by James Grant-Peterkin