It was noticeably cooler this morning, as the Amsterdam has taken a direct course to the east. Our position is 20 degrees below the Equator, and it seems we have lost much of the sticky humidity we experienced in Samoa and Fiji. And we aren't complaining either. If it stays this way, we would be surprised.
Last night, we hit some pretty good swells and strong winds. Around midnight, there was a really loud bang, that woke us up with a start. It must have been hitting a wave wrong, or a wave hitting us. We listened for any announcement like we hit a coral reef or something, but thankfully, it never came. We have friends onboard that were on the Prinsendam several years ago when it was hit with two rogue waves around the bottom of South America. Now that was something to talk about with damages and injuries. These same friends were with us on the Volendam when we had 55 foot seas in the Dutch Harbor area of Alaska. Despite these scares, we still keep coming back, don't we?
Anyway, by this morning the seas calmed down, but the winds stayed. When we went to the Seaview pool, we literally had to clamp down the towels, shoes, and bags to keep them from going overboard. When the sun did come out of the clouds, it was warm, but not enough to go swimming. In fact if you weren't careful where you sat, the water from the pool would blow out and get you rather wet.
The ports of Nuku'alofa and Vava'u were the subject of the lectures today. Since we have visited these cities several times, we know the area well. And now that we have used the last of our free internet minutes, we purchased the premium package to last until the end of the cruise. Now we have the freedom to look up anything and everything online, and not ration the minutes. That is, if it is working good. The first thing was checking to see what pizza places we can find in both Tongan cities. What surprised us was the fact that the megabyte internet speed was so much faster than the old minute plan. We're still trying to figure out why they have two such systems in operation, and we wonder if this same situation happens with other cruise lines as well?
When we got our documents for this cruise, we found that there were four gala evenings. Thinking that was a small amount, we discovered today that there will be a total of seven galas. They usually occur about once a week. Anyway, tonight was # 4 gala, and many folks dressed for it. So nice to see when the dining room dresses up their tables and chairs for the occasion. There have not been any dining room decorations this trip, but we have not really missed them. We do miss the flowers on the tables however, and will be surprised if they do not show up on the Grand Voyage.
Dinner was the special gala menu with shrimp cocktails (no caviar yet), soup, salad, and petrole sole and surf and turf without the turf. The fish was especially good, and had no bones. Unlike the Dover sole that so many people rave about, it usually has many bones that don't get removed. When Philip and chef Peter came by, as they often do, we complimented them on another success with the seafood. Philip said he is still working on the swordfish we missed the other night, and we promised to bring him a banana leaf to use with its steaming. Of course we are joking, because it is fun to tease them a bit. Years ago, we had a maître'd that would say how was your meal, then go to the next table without listening to any comments. Not so with Philip. If you have questions or a request, he whips out his pad and pen, and writes everything down. And he always has an answer for you within a day. Doesn't get much better than that.
Tonight should have been another one to put the clocks ahead, but there was no card left on the bed to do so. Technically, we have entered the new time zone that was 2 hours ahead of Vanuatu. But the Captain can choose to do this in two or three days instead of going ahead 2 hours all at once. It must be better for the crew and the guests we suppose.
We checked out the show of That's Life with the singers and dancers. Energetic and colorful, they did a fine performance, even if we have seen it a few times…or more.
One more day at sea, and we will be in another South Pacific country – Tonga.
Bill & Mary Ann
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Report #31 Day at Sea November 26, 2019 Tuesday Mostly cloudy & 76 degrees
