A day at sea was just what everyone needed after a day in port yesterday. A chance to refresh the batteries, so to speak. For us, that was a nice breakfast in the dining room. Service has been over the top in there, unlike what we experienced on the larger HAL ship last fall. The big difference is that this world cruise group is split up between the Lido and the restaurant. And there is always the Pinnacle Grill breakfast for the deck seven folks. Except for dinner time, nothing has been overly crowded during the meal times.
Some maintenance painting has been ongoing on the lower promenade deck. With the following wind, the fumes linger in the doorways and around the lounges. Sometimes it can be almost sickening. In this heat, it does dry faster, but we cannot figure why the passengers continue to lay on the lounges with the painters so nearby. By the way, more of the teak lounges have re-appeared. We think they have been down below being sanded and repaired. The concentration of the pool lounges are towards the aft of the deck. The hotter it has been getting, the fewer people are outside.
We were invited to the third wine tasting this morning. It was a sommelier suite wine tasting, extended to a few passengers. Once again, we passed on the chance, mostly because we don’t drink it, and would not consider buying any bottles. Still, it is nice to be included.
The explorations central team continued their presentation on Auckland to Sydney. The shore ex manager, Nyron, and Barbara H combine their talents in describing what to see and do in those ports. For those who may like to know, Irene and Leslie, the usual grand voyage managers, are not here this year.
Sunbathing and swimming was a mixed bag today. When the sun was out of the clouds, it was really warm. Every now and then, clouds passed over, and it sprinkled. That felt wonderful. But then we were side-swiped by a shower that suddenly flooded the deck, and everything on the lounges. By the time the people picked up their stuff, the sun came back out. Typical tropical weather. Actually, we did more visiting with friends than anything else. Barb often stops by with her ice cream cone, and gets some fresh air and sun.
Speaking of Barb, a question has been asked about her. Going back thirteen years ago, we probably met Barb and her friends at our travel agency’s cocktail parties. But it wasn’t until two years later that we became tablemates. Our friendship was established ever since then. With the exception of one year that we went on the Prinsendam around South America, we have been tablemates every world cruise ever since. It would not be the same without her.
Another question we’d like to address is the “cork-forking” game. The tools of the game are a dinner fork, a wine cork, and a bowl of flowers in the center of the table. You balance the cork on the handle end, and use the tines to launch it. With a little practice, eventually you land it in the bowl. We have not done this for a few years now, as it tended to bring out the rowdiness at the table. Perhaps when the entire dining room clears out, we could try it again. Or not.
Photo sorting took up some of the afternoon. Then we went to the Ocean Bar to listen to the band play. The 6:15pm music was more upbeat during this session. We noticed a couple of guests wearing woven sombreros, and figured they got them from the waiters at dinner. Tonight was Tropical Paradise Dinner complete with lush palm trees hanging from the ceiling. So we found out that everyone got the hats tonight. Can you believe that we have been gifted four different hats so far? Seems that the folks like these the best….go figure.
The menu was tropical-themed too. We both ordered the macadamia nut coated chicken breast entrée, and it was delicious. Fish, of course, was popular, and also the suckling pork. A hamburger with pulled pork and a sunny side up egg was also on the menu. Philip, the dining room manager, stopped by, as he often does, checking on how we liked the meal. We think he is checking to see how we are accepting some of the new changes on the menu. So far, so good.
Showtime featured singer and impressionist Robbie Howard. He was back with an all new show, but we missed it again.
Waiting in our room were two messages. One was regarding bringing wine onboard, as stated in the Know Before You Go Booklet. Only one bottle of wine was allowed to be carried on at the beginning of this voyage. If consumed in the room, there would be no corkage fee ($18). Bringing on addition bottles are subject to that fee, or they can be stored until the end of the trip. Obviously people are not following the rules, which are being enforced now. If you go on a wine-tasting ship’s tour and return with one bottle, that fee will be waived.
The second notice was about the toilet paper. Yeah, you are reading correctly….toilet paper. This is the first time ever that one has to use at least 6 feet of the roll to equal two squares of regular paper. Inferior, but it had been substituted for a short order. When we arrive in Papeete, there will be a swiftest changeover to the usual stuff. Henk M admitted that this subject has sparked the imagination of several witty comments. We bet it has…..
Bill & Mary Ann
