And of course, today is Valentine’s Day, and we wish everyone a most happy one. From the Captain and the entire staff and crew, we each received a set of three assorted candy bars from Seattle’s Best. It came with a quote : May chocolate be your umbrella. One long-stemmed red rose bud was placed by the chocolate bars. There would be more special treats at dinnertime as well.
The dining room was highly decorated with hanging heart mobiles……red. Lots of shiny red hearts, and it sure looked nice. And this was just breakfast. Later tonight, they added red strip lighting along the floor, adding lots of color to the room. Everyone appeared to have a sunburn, not just those who really did.
We had to chuckle after listening to Hamish’s 9:30am talk on the ship’s speakers. His request for the day was to PLEASE return all tender tickets that were handed out on Easter Island day. We know what the folks are thinking, especially when they were denied disembarking that day. Trust us….the staff has this tender process figured out pretty well now. It is not possible to slip through the line for the next tender port with previous tickets. The color and the rotation of the tickets will be different. They may begin the numbers with # 50, and hand them out backwards, for instance. Is it really worth the embarrassment of getting caught? We think NOT.
Now that French Polynesia is quickly approaching, the themes for cooking, dancing, dressing, and jewelry are strictly Tahitian. The history of this part of the South Pacific was the subject of lectures. The Polynesian Cultural Ambassadors only have a few days left to entertain the guests until they depart, more than likely, in Tahiti. And a great way to attract customers into the Shops is to have a contest, such as guess the size of a Tahitian pearl. And of course, if you filled out the little slip, you had to be present to win.
Everyone got a request concerning visa info for Sri Lanka and India. Prior to leaving home, if we wanted to get off of the ship in Colombo, Sri Lanka, we needed to go online and get our own visas for that country. The ship’s staff would not be able to do this for us this year. Without the visa, you cannot leave the ship that day. Many chose not to get off there, and saved the costs. Since we hold the e-visa copy, we need to show that to the front desk people. As for India, the same rules apply. Our 10 year visa had expired last fall, so we had to get those new 10 year visas last summer. Not easy to navigate their website, we were happy to get them done. Now we are good to go in Cochin and Mumbai.
Due to tonight’s special agenda, the guest performer, Annette Wardell, sang at earlier times in the Mainstage. We could hear her entire show, labeled Amazing Grace, while sitting around the atrium across from the silent Ocean Bar during her first performance. She has a set of pipes that travels for miles.
Tonight was gala, naturally, which means we had a host join us for the meal. Our guest was the head security officer, and his first time traveling on a world voyage. When he asked the three of us if this was our first world cruise, we all said no. But when he heard how many we and Barb have done, he looked in disbelief. No, we don’t make these things up, and truthfully, few people ask this question. Anyway, he was most interested in the ports we have visited, and what he could expect coming up on this trip. If we heard right, he might only be here until Singapore, and then it will be time for his vacation.
None of us ordered dessert, but Slam had brought silverware after we finished our entrees. Then he came with plates of 2 chocolate-covered strawberries. That was a nice touch. Most all of the guests were leaving the dining room by 9:30pm, for the start of the Valentine’s Ball in the Mainstage. We were still deep in conversation, so we lingered until closer to 10pm. Most balls require the officers to be present to dance with the lady guests, and this may have been the case with our host. Some are game for the experience, while others are not. When a host hesitates to leave the table, we are certain he was one of the “not” game for it.
There was a chocolate surprise following the ball at 10:15pm, but strictly in the show lounge. That saved the mess that must have happened when the chocolate treats were handed out in the public areas around the ship.
The dancing resumed in the Crow’s Nest at 10:30pm with music from the Station Band. Barb claims they are the best ever.
And believe it or not, the clocks went back for the fifth day in a row tonight. We suspect this time will be good for all of French Polynesia…at least we all hope so.
Bill & Mary Ann
Friday, February 15, 2019
Report #28 Day at Sea February 14, 2019 Thursday Partly sunny & 75 degrees
