Having the extra hour last night was very good for everyone. Of course, some people still wake up at the same time no matter what. One thing we noticed was the actual daylight hours have decreased the further north we have traveled since leaving Antarctica. We still are discussing what it would be like to travel to Antarctica during their winter months of June through August, for instance. Darkness would really do a number on our minds and bodies. Anyway, the sun did come out today, and actually had some warmth in it. Things are looking up.
However, the seas have become increasingly rolling with deep, long swells the further west we go. It began last night during dinner, and continued on during the day. Barely noticing it on deck one, going up each deck made a difference. The ship was being hit with 40mph winds, causing some pretty impressive waves spraying across the promenade deck. The folks that have those lanai rooms with private lounges have not been able to use them too much for the last three weeks. If they do come out, they need to bundle up with blankets or towels. We are not too sure the weather will warm up for another week, which will be most welcomed by all.
Lots of promotions were happening on the ship today, the main one being "sales". Now that we are on the way to Easter Island, there was a deck sale with exclusive merchandise to commemorate our visit to this exotic place. The quantities were limited, so we are not sure what we will find in the shops tomorrow. We have always found t-shirts to buy on the island, so really do not need more. In fact, there is much speculation about even getting on Easter Island, or any of the upcoming ports on this cruise. With the coronavirus, we may be turned away, even though we do not carry the dreaded disease. This is new territory for all involved. A good sign we are still going to Easter Island is the fact shore excursions were opened to sell more tours there. And they come at a steep price.
The Polynesian Ambassadors have joined the ship now. They will be having activities like sea shell necklace-making, cultural lectures, ukulele lessons, and eventually, dance lessons. One fellow of that group has been on many of the South Seas cruises we have sailed on. His name is Kainoa, and he is one person that would be hard to miss. We have not seen him yet, but we are sure this group will stay on until we reach Tahiti.
Our day was simple……we stayed mostly in our room catching up on missing photos due to the internet problem. It has been tedious work, but we will catch up soon, we hope. In this part of the Pacific Ocean, we may have the usual areas that having spotty internet as well. Also, the TV reception was off and on all day. Good time to watch lectures and movies instead.
All of us were present and accounted for at dinner this evening. It is fun sharing what we all did during the day at sea. Most all of us were happy to kick back, and do little at all after the busy ports we had in Chile. We heard that the spa has been very busy on days like this. Many specials have been advertised for face and hair treatments. Massages are also popular, as we have seen many folks in the elevator heading up to deck 8 in their bathrobes. Surely there must be a changing room up there?
Anyway, tonight there was a different entrée on the menu that many of us wanted to try. It was chicken fried steak with hush puppies. We have enjoyed chicken fried steak with biscuits and gravy with eggs for breakfast. But we have never tasted hush puppies, and did not know what they were. Living in the South, Barb, Woody and Susie knew them well, as it is a common food there. Then Philip came by with Petr, the head executive chef. They were asking how we have been liking the food, which we said it has been wonderful. Petr said he looked up the recipe for hush puppies, because this was also new to him. The story behind this food was that the balls of corn meal were deep fried, and given to the dogs to hush them up. Thus….. the name of hush puppies was created. Made them happy campers, and us too. In other parts of the world Hush Puppies are shoes, and nice ones at that. A thin slice of chocolate-covered lemon layer cake was the hit, while one of us tried the hokey pokey sundae. It was made with vanilla ice cream with crushed butter finger candy on top, then drizzled with caramel. Not a bad idea, it actually worked.
Three more days at sea, and we may be in Easter Island. But who's counting.
Bill & Mary Ann
Monday, February 17, 2020
Report # 98 Day at Sea February 12, 2020 Wednesday Partly sunny & 54 degrees
