Yesterday we filled out an arrival health declaration form for entry in Tonga coming up this Monday. All of the information was already filled out for both of us, so all we had to do was answer simple basic questions regarding our current health condition. Then we were asked if we had been in contact with anyone who tested positive for Covid, or visited any healthcare facility in the last 14 days. To be perfectly honest, we do not know for sure if we have been in contact with positive Covid guests. At least not knowingly. We have learned through the grapevine that some more guests have tested positive recently, but the actual number of those infected has not been released. Nor will they be. Anyway, we were supposed to bring the filled out forms to the mid-ship elevator landing this morning by 9:30am. However, we were still eating breakfast and missed the time. Not a problem, we took the forms to the front desk in the afternoon and they gladly took them. That was our biggest job of the day.
Today there was a "Derby" Night with the ladies invited to show off their fascinator hats for the occasion. This began at 6pm at the Lido pool, followed by the actual horse race at 7pm. This is an activity we have not seen for many years, and we do think it will draw a big crowd once again. Around the same time, we were invited to a cocktail party with our travel group in the Billboard Onboard at 6:30pm. Half our group met at 4pm, since they were the early diners. Our little group of friends was tucked into one of the tall booths and they made room for us. Drinks of our choice were served and some canapies were passed around. Our hosts came by and welcomed us all once again. It has been almost a month since we had our welcome dinner in Ft. Lauderdale. Time sures flies when you are having fun…………
An added treat was having a special guest join us for dinner tonight. It was Renee, the spa manager, who we have known like forever. It sure was interesting hearing about the chain of events she went through after all of us had left the ship in March 2020. Getting home to South Africa was not easy for her and a few other employees that debarked in Durban. They all had a mandatory quarantine time, which was longer than what exists now. And at that time, the airports had grounded most all flights. Eventually, she did make it back home, but her belongings did not. Expecting to be re-assigned to the Amsterdam when they started cruising again, she had left most all of her things onboard. Long story short….she never saw her possessions again. And even worse, the ship ended up being sold and gone from the fleet along with three other sister ships. None of us saw that coming….
Tonight was "dressy" again, and the menu was also notched up to match it. The chefs have come up with some very different salads, as well as a cold soup every night. For our entrees, we had one swordfish and beef wellington….both equally delicious and hot. A praline cheesecake was served and the every day fruit plate did the job. All in all, we had a super nice evening. There was no entertainment in the Mainstage, but we did hear that the instrumentalist, Barry Seacroft, was fantastic last night.
And the clocks went back one hour again. That's always a plus.
Bill & Mary Ann
