Subject: FW: Report # 18 Sailing Towards Nuku Hiva January 17, 2016 Sunday Partly cloudy & 88 degrees
Report # 18 Sailing Towards Nuku Hiva January 17, 2016 Sunday Partly cloudy & 88 degrees
Being that today is Sunday, we felt it would be the appropriate occasion to share the religious options on this ship. Actually, these services would be offered on every ship, we believe.
The Catholic mass was celebrated at 8am with Father Louis in the Wajang Theater. In the smaller Hudson Room, the Interdenominational services were held, also at 8am with Reverend Aaron Sutton. Finally, at 9am, Rabbi Robert Gan conducted people and events which shaped the Jewish journey. This was held in the Piano Bar. On three different cruises in past years, we have had the pleasure of sharing our dinner table with a Catholic priest, a minister, and a French Canadian Catholic priest. The first time we never knew the older gentleman traveling with his nephew was the pastor of a church in Marin County, close to where we live. He chose to blend in with the rest of us by not wearing his traditional collar. He felt it might inhibit the conversation with the rest of the tablemates. Eventually, we all guessed his profession, and he confessed. From there on, he shared much info on the workings of the church and the business end of running a parish. Sure was interesting.
Then we met the ship's minister and his wife when we joined their table on a Seabourn world cruise. They both shared stories of what it was like to be sailing during the holidays with some passengers. The minister stated that it could be the most depressing time of year for some folks who have no family, and choose to sail the seven seas during that time. It became his job to counsel these troubled people……sometimes bringing him down as well. Never thought about that before then.
Finally, we met a most delightful French Canadian priest who traveled extensively. He was retired, but joined cruises as the ship's priest. Many times, he went as a passenger. What a wealth of stories he had at dinnertime. We have kept in touch with him for dozens of years now, although his sailing days are over due to declining health.
When we went to the dining room for breakfast, the waiters were setting up for a traditional Sunday Brunch, which would start at 11am and end by 1pm. The offerings were the classic brunch items you would expect, but also seafood and sliced meats and pastries. Barb always goes to this affair, mostly because it happens only once a month. She was escorted to her table, then proceeded to fill her plate. Part way through the meal, another couple asked to join her. Although they had never met before, they turned out to be very nice. Speaking of new people, it has been really great meeting new folks on this trip. About half of the regulars are not on this trip this year, maybe because the itinerary is so similar to last year's cruise. That could account for the larger number of younger passengers, who took advantage of a good deal when they saw it. That is, the lowering of the cruise fares. That was nice for all of us.
There were two more football games broadcasted on TV today. We got so caught up in yesterday's second game with Green Bay and Arizona that we missed the VIP cocktail party with the Captain and his staff in the Queens Lounge. We think this affair was for the 4 and 5 star Mariners, as well as suite guests and the President's Club members. We heard that we could have ordered any cocktail of our choice if we did not wish to drink wine or champagne. Oh well, maybe there will be another one before this trip is over.
Someone asked us today about the art auctions onboard. On the Tales of the South Pacific, the auctions were held daily. Can't say that we have noticed much activity in that area yet………but we certainly will. Their ads are on our room TV's, and the art desk is set up on deck four across from the Wajang Theater. The paintings are on display on the walls there, so we bet the auctions will be hot and heavy well before people get off in Sydney.
A different type of game show was held tonight at 7:30pm in the Queens Lounge called "Call My Bluff". We understand three panel members (staff) give outrageous answers to definitions of obscure words. It's up to the crowd to decide who is telling the truth. Bonnie, our tablemate, went to the show, and said she never laughed so hard ever. Said it beat any comedy show she has seen yet. Back in the 80's, we went to a similar show on a Princess ship. We still remember some of the weird words that came up, and the super funny answers that were given. Did you know that the word "fartures" really means a stuffing that is served with a traditional turkey dinner? See, we never forgot that one.
There were only four of us at dinner, because Paul is a bit under the weather. Seems he feels a cold coming on, and did not want to share it with all of us. He was missed, but to help him feel better, his wife Bonnie brought him a sweet dessert with a bowl of blueberries. Sweet.
We did not attend the show this evening, which was a gal named Sarah Chandler, a saxophonist playing classical to pop music. Perhaps we can catch it the second time around.
Bill & Mary Ann
The seeds and bulbs are growing
Dwarf sunflowers
Narcissus
Blooming already
A South Seas sunset
Setting at 5pm
Very few clouds tonight
About over
The opposite sky
