Subject: Report # 38 Sailing Towards Melbourne, Australia February 7, 2016 Sunday Partly cloudy & 77 degrees
Report # 38 Sailing Towards Melbourne, Australia February 7, 2016 Sunday Partly cloudy & 77 degrees
As the Amsterdam sails one day closer to Australia, we noticed that the weather and the seas have improved quite a bit. Even though the day began cloudy, gradually, the sun came out, and it actually got very warm. That would keep us outside most of the day.
At breakfast, we found the dining room set up for another Sunday morning buffet. Normally, we can expect this once a month, not two Sundays in a row. Head waiter Pandi also did not know why. It is definitely more work for them to move all of the chairs from the middle of the room to set up the serving stations. It's fine for the folks that like buffets, but for us, we do not. You end up eating way more than you should.
After our "flip-flop" walk on the promenade deck after breakfast, we went to the pool. The promenade deck is still blocked, because the fellows are still working on the bottom of the boat. One half of it is done, the holes filled, sanded, and painted. One more side to go, and that will more than likely happen tomorrow while we're in port. So in the meantime, we walk to the tarp, end around, and walk the other way. Flip-flop.
Talks continued starting with Barbara H giving hints about Sydney. The two guests speakers continued their series…one about the Pacific War of WW2, and the other all about astrology.
The first Grand Dollar Redemption took place today, where those folks that are leaving in Sydney have a chance to spend their $ on prizes. Those folks who are traveling on for the entire trip can save them until the cruise is over, and get better prizes.
Another popular activity was whatever floats your boat sea trials. Today, at the Lido Pool, the contestants gave their creations the float test in one of the spas. These boats or ships are put together with items that the ship has in a big box, and the folks get very creative. We saw a sample of one of the ships this afternoon, when it was brought down to the desk by the front office. It was made with the blue HAL shopping bags and several plastic water bottles. It must have survived the float test to make it this far.
With tomorrow being Superbowl Sunday (really Monday for us), the beverage team offered some deals on drink packages. The game will be broadcast live at 10:30am here, and re-shown at 6pm in the Queens Lounge, and also on TV. An unlimited drink package ($8 and under drinks) for $34.95 is offered from one hour prior to the game until it ends. Buckets of beer are $22 and $25, and the front row seating for VIPs is $49.95. That will include unlimited drinks, food, a butler, and a souvenir glass. The only downside, is that we are in Melbourne tomorrow, so we're not sure how many people will sacrifice the port for football. The powers to be sure did not factor that in to their planning this year, did they?
We had dinner with Shiv, the Head Housekeeping Officer, tonight in the Pinnacle Grill. He is always busy at work in his office, so it was nice to be able to spend a few hours with him uninterrupted. He is originally from Delhi, India, so he had many stories of living with his extended family there. He was a big help last year when we went overland to a tiger safari, as he prepared us for what India had to offer us in the way of transportation and food. Especially, the food. We barely noticed when the time was well past 10pm. Nice evening and equally great food.
Be nice to be in Australia tomorrow.
Bill & Mary Ann
