We did get online long enough to Google sandstorms. The name we were searching for was "haboobs". You would never associate a sand-filled wind that settles on everything while we are at sea. Guess the Sahara is one great BIG desert. This morning the sky was not as hazy, but the winds had picked up to 45 mph and the temperature had dropped to the low 70's. What a difference from a few days ago when we were melting in The Gambia.
At breakfast, we heard some more stories about last evening's event in The Retreat. We had been lucky enough to get a hightop table that was more protected by the elements….namely the wind. On the far side of this deck, the winds tipped over a tray of wine with full glasses, spilling over seated guests, then breaking all over the deck. No one could move until the crew came and cleaned up the broken chards of glass that scattered under and around the tables. Guests wearing caps or hats had to hold on tight, or they would go overboard. And forget the hair-dos. It was a "big hair" evening for most, even some of the fellows.
By noontime today, the waves and the winds increased and the temperatures dipped below 70. We still spotted some whale blows on the horizon, but way too far to photograph. It would have been nice to watch from the veranda, but with the chilly wind, we needed sweatshirts and blankets because we are not willing to give up our shorts yet.
By the way, today was April Fool's Day, and the Daily Program had some funny things printed, such as upside down. Instead of a day at sea, it said lost at sea. Hmm, that might not be so funny. Some of the elevators had different days of the week on the carpet. Oddly enough, few folks even noticed, as they do not pay attention anyway. Every day is Sunday when you are on vacation.
Later in the morning, we took our walk on the promenade deck to find it very windy. Few people were using the lounges. If they did, they were wrapped in the towels like mummies. Evidence of the sand was everywhere you looked. Common surfaces had been wiped down, but there will be a thorough cleaning later we are sure. Looking down from our veranda, even the tender boats were covered with the gritty sand. We wonder how that affects the filters that take in the air from outside? Taking this a step further, we wonder what we are breathing?
The usual events took place on the ship such as the talk on the upcoming ports in Morocco. Will watch that on TV later, even though their recording process is not working properly. We have been to Casablanca five years ago, but never stopped at Agadir or Tangier. That one kind of fascinates us from watching shows about it on the Travel Channel.
There was another Block Party at 4pm, which was promoted as meet your neighbors in the hallway. Then the officers and crew went from deck to deck with champagne and canapies. Checking the hallway after 4pm, we saw no one outside in the hall. The guests on either side of us have been sick, so they would not come out. We learned at dinnertime, that many of the people on our deck went to the elevator lobbies instead, and visited as a group. Barb said there must have been 50 people down our end. About the same time, the sun had finally come out on the port side, and we had taken advantage of it and sat on the veranda soaking it up.
At the party yesterday, we talked extensively with one of the heads of the food and beverage department, George. He had mentioned to expect a special dinner this evening in the dining room. He would not reveal what it was, but said we might be surprised. Well, when we checked out the dinner menu on the TV, we discovered there were only three starters, three mains, and three desserts. No other choices. Perhaps the surprise was we were running out of food. When Nik handed us the menus, we found they had been customized for April Fool's Day complete with pictures and special sayings. In addition to the limited meals, we were given a flute of champagne with our dinner. Funny, we had just commented two nights ago that when we used to miss a port on previous world cruises, they would serve champagne that same evening saying they were sorry. Lo and behold, here it was tonight.
One meal combo was surf (lobster) and turf (tenderloin steak), usually reserved for formal dinner, wiener schnitzel, or salmon. Appetizers were carpaccio of beef, shrimp cocktail, or French onion soup…..no salads. Desserts were crème Brule, baked Alaska, and a chocolate sundae. Barb ordered two of the crème Brules……one for the road. Nik had made some napkin animals like a bird, an elephant, a slipper, and a rose. Woody took the rose in a glass home to Susie who did not come to dinner.
There was no entertainment in the World Stage tonight. This looks like that will occur twice a week now. However, there was an April Fool's Day costume party in the Crow's Nest at 9pm, ending at 10pm with awards for the best duo/group, and best homemade costume. We did spot a few folks dressed silly, but for the most part, we suspect they went back to their rooms to change.
Tomorrow we will be stopping in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands. A first time visit for us…..
Bill & Mary Ann
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