Report #112 Day at Sea February 27, 2020 Thursday Mostly sunny & 81 degrees

Another day at sea, and another day closer to Tonga, the final tropical island we will visit in the South Pacific for this voyage.  The skies have cleared up nicely, and the sun was shining most of the day.  The surrounding seas were about smooth as glass at times, because there was very little breeze.  Looking good.

 

Today the Maori Ambassadors offered two sessions dealing with poi again, and learning how to play rhythm sticks or Tititorea.  Shore Excursion's team continued with talks about tours in upcoming ports, and the guest speaker lectured on the Cook Island seabed minerals.  Always something new to learn. 

 

The movie in the Wajang was a good one called Hunt for the Wildpeople.  Set in the New Zealand bush country, it is about a wayward native boy, and his foster uncle who go missing after the foster aunt dies.  Part adventure and a lot of comedy, it was worthwhile seeing.

 

The only real meal we had today was this morning in the dining room.  We skipped lunch, because we had reservations in the Pinnacle Grill this evening.  If we have a late lunch, then we have trouble eating dinner, and really enjoying it.  So we had minimal room snacks after spending the afternoon at the pool.  With the sun coming out, many more folks decided to spend some time in the pool and on the lounges.

 

We sure don't remember that each band in the lounges took one day of the week off on previous grand voyages.  It was the Ocean Quartet's turn to be off today.  So when we went to the lounge during Happy Hour at 4 to 5pm, there were hardly any people there.  With no music, and no dancing, the folks do not go there.  That has to affect their beverage sales.  So we are wondering why there is no "fill-in" on those days the bands are off?  We seem to recall a piano player who filled this gap on shorter cruises. 

 

Our meals were outstanding once again in the Pinnacle Grill.  We began with the rolls, one of which is about 100% garlic with cheese in the center.  Served quite warm, this is the first one to go.  A torpedo roll is also served, and that goes second.  Starters were wedge salads, but with only one slice of the clothesline bacon each.  We usually skip the presentation with the hanging bacon, lemon slice, and the pickle.  The bacon on the salad plate is just fine with us.  Both of us ordered the grilled lamb chops, the best you can find anywhere on the ship.  For dessert, we each had a small portion of the Cherry Garcia ice cream.  It was most sufficient.  A plate of chocolate truffles were a bit different tonight.  Four of the offerings were chocolate filled with raisins and nuts, almonds and walnuts to be exact.  Normally we don't eat these, but we had to try these new ones.  They are winners.

 

Entertainment tonight was fun with a new group singing tunes from the 50's and 60's. The name of the group was The Alley Cats, and they drew a big crowd at both shows.

 

We're all ready for tomorrow's port of Nuku' alofa, Tonga.  Seems like we were just here, but then, we were….. last November. And while we are gone tomorrow, we had a notice that our carpets will be cleaned between 9:15 until 2pm.  It is estimated to take 10 minutes, and we need not be present.  And all the work will be done under supervision, we assume meaning that our room will not be unattended while the door is open.  If for any reason we did not want them cleaning the carpets, we could re-schedule it. 

 

Bill & Mary Ann