Sure was super getting that extra hour of sleep last night, as we turned the clocks back once again. Our waiters at breakfast were even more chipper than usual. Nice that they have a chance to rest up a bit more too.
The new cruise director, Hamish, has been starting his daily announcements around 9:20am. Hopefully this is not going into the rooms, because many late night folks like to sleep in later. Gene always gave his itinerary talk right before 10am, when the first lecture would start in the Queen’s Lounge. Although Hamish is doing a good job, we miss Gene. Hope he has found his new job with a different cruise line rewarding.
Lectures began with things to do and see in Auckland, a city we really enjoy. After all of these small ports with villages and towns, it will be nice to experience a bustling metropolitan city for a change. Especially in New Zealand, where the locals are very friendly and welcoming.
We always seem to miss the walk a mile grand activity, since we do our walking around 9:30am. People were already congregating on deck three in the atrium, when we were having a one-on-one chat time with one of our favorite hosts. We have three hosts, and usually one chat time on deck five. This year, they have decided to split up, and one fellow sits at the table outside the offices. This is nice, since we can have private conversations without eavesdropping.
Seeing that Henk M’s office was open, we ducked inside for a few seconds to thank him for going the mile yesterday in loading the tender boats. Despite his best efforts, we heard that quite a few passengers had some slips and falls. Nothing bad though. Now we are wondering if tomorrow’s port will be a go. This is one place that one of us thought a hip was broken, when the tender boat dipped 5 feet, right when they said “go”. I went as instructed, just as the boat went down in a nano-second. Bad, bad feeling, but I came out OK. It was a miracle however.
It always amuses us to see passengers with all the walking gadgets. We can understand listening to music, but all the other toys that measure miles, heartbeats, blood pressure, etc., do not interest us in the least. People ask how many miles did you walk. To be honest, unless it is marked on the road or a map, we really don’t care. We know just about how far our feet will take us, then turn around and go back. Nice if there is lunch in the middle of that walk. Heart rates? We’re happy that our hearts are still pumping during and after those hikes. Yesterday’s excursion was an example of how locals see us…..the tourists in general. They do not walk anywhere. It is too hot, and too far for them. For the most part, we were the only ones on the road yesterday. A very nice native lady with her daughter stopped her little pickup and offered to take us to town. She said we were crazy and it was too hot. Probably right, we thanked her, but declined. Wishing us luck, she was on her way again. At that point, we were close to the restaurant, and stopping anyway. Some folks are really nice. Kind of made up for the not-so-friendly restaurant experience.
Thinking today’s weather might be less warm, we found out it was much the same as yesterday. On the plus side, the heat has kept the pool deck almost empty of sun bathers. No rush to save lounges. In fact, we have observed that the used towels have been removed after the 30 minute limit. The bar staff has been very attentive with the offer of ice water, tea, or lemonade throughout the day at the Seaview Pool.
Joy, our “girl Friday” at the front desk, called and took our order for the next President’s Club amenity. Once again, we chose a bouquet of flowers and Zero vitamin waters. The flowers will be delivered after we arrive to Auckland, since that is when the florists receive fresh ones. Speaking of flowers, Eddy and Calista still perform their miracles with the most artistic arrangements throughout the ship. However, we are noticing that they are using far less flowers, and more props. Painted sticks and decorative grasses are the base for small vases of orchids, daisies, or lilies for instance. The huge flower urns around the atrium on decks four and five are still impressive, full of mums, roses, and Asiatic lilies. Our friends said they caught a passenger running down to their room with one of the potted orchids from the Lido the other day. One of the larger pots too. How funny is that? We can only hope that one of the many ship cameras caught that action…..
Lunch for us was room service. Ordering extra-large chicken Caesar salads and one club sandwich was perfect. The salads were every bit as good as what they serve at dinner, and the delivery was prompt. But that is probably because we ordered lunch at 2:30pm, well after most folks have eaten.
We have yet to go to a movie in the Wajang on sea days. Many people do just that at either 2pm or 6pm. It is the only place you can get free buttered popcorn during the day too.
Dinner had some really good choices. We have come to notice that some days there is nothing that appeals to us, and other days, there are four great choices. That happened tonight. Lamb chops, prime rib, and spaghetti were the biggies. One of us had the prime rib, and had to admit, it was one of the best pieces of beef ever. Outside cut with the seasoned crust, and still pink and tender, it was the number one pick. Spaghetti with Bolognese sauce? One of us had eaten too much at lunch, so the pasta dish was just right.
The show tonight was comedy and conversation with Frank King. While we were listening to the music of the Ocean Trio, we watched as the early diners began filing into the Queen’s Lounge at 7pm to wait for the show at 8pm. Some groups sit in the same seats every night, and have begun card games to utilize the time. Interesting crowd, this world cruise group.
Bill & Mary Ann
