It was sure quiet in the dining room for breakfast this morning. Putting the clocks ahead an hour has begun to take its toll on the guests as well as the crew. In fact, there were far fewer folks that even showed up for breakfast this morning, even in the Lido we heard. We don't have too many time changes now as we are getting closer to Pacific time as we sail directly east.
There was a huge change in the weather today with total overcast, and also a few showers. Many people were wearing jeans and sweatshirts while on the lower promenade deck. And we can say that those folks that have the lanai rooms were not using their private lounges. If this keeps up, we will see folks using their new blankets again.
More Christmas decorations have appeared here there and everywhere. The neatest display is the one they created around the Astrolabium clock in the atrium on deck three. Tables were put up surrounding the clock, and they were topped with several different styles and sizes of gingerbread houses. Train tracks were woven in between the houses, but the train has not appeared yet. Anyway, the ship is looking quite festive and most merry now.
It sure wasn't a day for the Seaview pool, although we did go back there to attempt a reset on the GPS satellite watch. If there is a signal, it will set itself to the correct time. Or we have to wait until we are on shore, and try it there. Anyway, it began to drizzle, so we went back inside. The biggest crowd back here today had to be the smokers, who use the starboard side of the deck near the bar area. It is never empty.
Today was a good one for walking the deck and visiting with friends. The ship has been rolling and pitching, so we are really concerned that tomorrow's port might be cancelled. In fact, yesterday we saw a notice that all of the HAL shore excursions in Rarotonga have been cancelled. There was a problem with the tour providers not being able to supply insurance on any of them, so HAL had no choice but to cancel and refund the charges back to the guests. Frankly, this is the first time we ever heard of this happening. Now we have learned that most of the restaurants will be closed as well, because it is Sunday. So, why are we stopping here? Guess there are times when the scheduling lands us in some places on a bad day.
And here is something to chuckle about: the refunded port charges for missing Niue was a whopping $2.10 per person. Not a whole lot, but better than nothing.
The internet has been spotty with it taking four hours to send emails that were not large files. Good thing we were using megabytes instead of minutes. Hard to figure, there really is no good explanation on why sometimes it works and other times, it does not. Even the digital communications manager was guessing at the problem.
We took our special seats in the atrium once again and listened to the band play in the Ocean Bar. Despite the movement of the ship, many couples danced to the tunes. And we have noticed that the speed of the songs depends on the ship's motion. The band knows what is safe and what is not when it comes to the more intricate dance moves.
Dinner was good again with one entrée of halibut and kingfish brochettes on a skewer. Almost put off by the description, Tama, our waiter, said it was very good. Trusting his advice was the right thing to do. The carne asada plate was equally as tasty, as Mexican cuisine is one of our favorites. They don't cook enough of it in our humble opinion.
We are ready for tomorrow for whatever it brings. Experience tells us that it will be a surprise if we make it ashore once again, but we will think positive.
Bill & Mary Ann
