Day number two at laying low was much the same as yesterday. The big difference was that the blustery winds had died down, and we had a pleasant breeze most of the day. We forgot to mention that at the aft pool yesterday, the wind had come up so suddenly, it sent one of the lounges flying over deck nine down to deck eight, right where the tables and chairs are located. Had this been during lunchtime, people would have been sitting there, and someone would have been injured badly. When the winds get severe, the lounges are stacked a dozen deep, and usually secured with ropes and tied off to the railings. Obviously, they had not been secured. During the two hours we were back there, we did see the staff tie down the two stacks, but it took quite a long time before they did it.
The new program of Dancing With the Stars at Sea was launched today. The first encounter we had with this activity was while on a cruise in the South Pacific last fall while on the Statendam. Every ship in HAL fleet offers the chance for every passenger to compete for a free cruise and the mirror ball trophy. Well, almost everyone except those who reside in Arizona, Connecticut, Maryland, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Vermont. Why those states are excluded, we do not know. They are encouraged to learn the dances, but will not be able to win. Today the Amsterdam dancers will be teaching guests the waltz at 3pm.
Another highlight of the afternoon was a special Indonesian tea in the dining room. The entrance to the dining room was decorated in an Indonesian theme, and the waiters were proud of it. It doesn't seem fair to the Indonesians that we are not visiting one island in the archipelago on this trip. Most times we hit both Indonesia and the Philippines. On this trip, we will have a two day stay in Manila, where the Filipino crew will be able to visit family members. Lucky group this time.
We were able to squeeze in some dry time at the back pool, until the rain started. Good time to have room service salads and split a club sandwich. And watch a movie, The Ledge, for a couple of hours. Although not new, it was very intense. Sometimes the choices of movies on TV go from idiotic to bizarre. By the time 5pm rolled around, the sun had peeked out. Time for a walk. Forty-five minutes does it on the lower promenade, then we ride up to deck eight and check out the entrees in the Lido. We were hoping to follow up with the sunset on deck nine, but since the ship had traveled north all day, the sunset was at 6:54pm. And the clouds on the horizon were so black, we knew rain was coming. By the time a couple of the bar staff came up to close the retractable roof, the rain began pouring down.
Dinner was fun this evening. Three were gone, but we gained two guests with Margaret inviting hosts, Henk and Lucia. Our entrees tonight were the chicken cordon bleu with extra BBQ sauce from the Shanghai rib appetizer. Desserts of a chocolate cake and Dutch apple cake with ice cream finished the meal.
Tomorrow should bring a new port for many of us.
