The air was clean and crisp too, now that we are in the Mediterranean Sea. We discovered today that the reason we had to put the clocks ahead one hour last night, was that Greece may be on daylight savings time, while the area we came from was not. Seemed strange to us that since the Amsterdam was heading west, the clocks should be put back an hour instead. Perhaps when we leave Greece, we will go back again.
We spent the morning working on reports and photos. Way too cool to go to the pool, which was expected. And even though the forecast stated 72 degrees, in reality, it was really in the high 60's.
At 12:15pm, we had a lunch date with friends in the dining room. We had made a tentative date weeks ago, but after coming down with the cold bug, we had to delay the lunch. It was nice to visit while in the quiet dining room, but we were a bit surprised when the waiter (one we really do not know) suggested we leave around 1:20pm. He mentioned that the table had to be set for the gala dinner this evening. Really? Were there decorations going up? No. It was simply a gala dinner. Makes us appreciate our regular waiters, Agung and Kris, who have never said a word to Barb and us, even if we stay talking until 2pm. In fact, there were still other diners in the raised area, and no one was asking them to leave.
Later on, we took a long walk with Bill & Leta. They always try to walk 2 miles or 7 laps. We have quit counting, because it really does not matter. We know how long it takes us to walk, so we go by the time, not the laps. And we certainly do not need the electronic toys to tell us our heart rate, or anything else. You just do it and enjoy it. Today was even better, because the four of us talked the whole time, and continued after the two miles were up. Wish we would have stopped on the sunny side, because that breeze really cut through our sweatshirts and jackets.
Time to go inside, and check out the music on deck five. Also a good time to go over the menu that is posted outside the dining room. Saves time when we get to the table, if we know what we will be ordering.
Today there were two lectures. One was all about the upcoming ports of Iraklion, Crete, and Mykonos. We have never been in either place, so we made it a point to watch the lecture on TV. The other talk was on ocean liners that went to war, given by Mel Foster. Most all of the fellows like his talks, because he keeps them interesting. Never boring.
Today, of course, was April 1st, and April Fool's Day. The big funny was that the Daily Navigator was printed upside down, with the morning flip-flopped with the afternoon activities.
Like we said, dinner was gala tonight. You might find this interesting. While we were entering the lower dining room (dressed appropriately, by the way), a fellow ended around us dressed in sweat pants and a long sleeve t-shirt with a cap on his head. One of the head waiters spotted him, and stopped the man before he entered the dining room. We doubt that he was going in to eat, but he was not allowed to even enter the room to give someone a message, as we couldn't help by overhearing the headwaiter saying he would deliver the message. So, they still do enforce a dress code, and we are most happy about that.
Then from 9 to 10pm, there was a costume party in the Crow's Nest. Have no idea what one would wear to a costume party for this occasion, but there was a notice that these costumes were NOT to be worn in the dining room this evening. We do remember when there was a pajama party held in the Crow's Nest at 9pm, and yes, a lot of people wore pajamas and robes to the dining room. Complete with slippers no less. These affairs do not work for the late 8pm diners, as we never get out of the dining room until close to 10pm. To tell you the truth, we never feel like we missed anything special.
The entertainer this evening was a repeat performance by Naki Ataman, a pianist, we think. Those shows are usually good.
Looking forward to seeing a new port tomorrow. We have learned that the ship docks close to town, and we should be able to see a lot on our own. And the forecast is for sunny skies and temps in the 60's. No rain, or did we dream that???
Bill & Mary Ann
