Our fears are confirmed – a gastrointestinal bug is onboard the ship, like Noro virus, and it is spreading like wildfire. We spent the day doing our usual things, beginning with breakfast. Danu and Andri have to serve us everything now, including doing the peppermill. We are not allowed to have anything communal on the table. It is easy when it is just the two of us, but dinner is a different story. So far, masks are only recommended, not mandated. There are some folks who still wear them while inside the ship.
Going outside, we noticed a definite change in the temperature. On our veranda, the morning reading was 78 degrees, but by 4pm, it had climbed to 92 degrees. Now that we are heading due north, we get the sun in the afternoon, and that is why our deck was so hot. The good thing is that we will get some nice sunsets now. The flying fish have returned indicating that the water has warmed up as well.
Ian and Nyron had a Q&A about the upcoming African ports. Although we did not attend the show lounge, we did pick up his lecture on TV later in the evening. Some of the questions seemed to skip ahead way beyond our next port. It was hard to keep track of where they were talking about. Also, if you ask questions too far in advance, they will not have the answers. That refers to shuttles mostly. Some of the ports are still in negotiations regarding complimentary shuttles. We were more interested in the port of Luanda, Angola, just to fill in the blanks since we were here last in 2018. Not many questions were asked for that port. Back five years ago, we had been forewarned about the safety in this area of Africa, and wondered if it was the same now. Guess we shall find out.
Our room service lunch was 20 minutes late today, most unusual since they have been really good about being on time. Thinking I had given the incorrect room number, the food finally arrived after a call to the dispatcher in room service. We bet this has something to do with the recent breakout, and our guess was correct as we found out later.
There were three of us at dinner this evening. Greg had called and left a message that both he and Heo were down for the count. The bug had found them, and they were not doing well. They expect to be quarantined for 2 or 3 days. Susie and Woody were no-shows, probably also not feeling well. This virus must be getting worse, because the dining room seemed half empty. Anyway, we had small appetizers, then mains of one very large veal chop (on the Club Orange menu) and one halibut plate. Barb also had the fish. Bill's was slightly underdone, so I was more than happy to share my delicious tender chop. There was plenty for both of us. We were done by 8:30pm and asleep by 10pm.
Showtime featured electric violinist Naomi Tagg from South Africa. We have attended her show in the past and found her to be energetic and most talented.
Ready for tomorrow's port of Luanda, Angola, a very controversial place in Africa.
Bill & Mary Ann
