It is official. Sometime today the Zuiderdam crossed the International Date Line, skipping Monday, the 12th. Technically, the clocks moved ahead 24 hours on the ship and for those folks who have watches or devices that needed to advance all of those hours. We really have not lost that day, as we shall get back those hours one at a time (more or less) the further west we travel.
So today is Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday and the theme for the day was let the good times roll. A few of the events today will include an expanded Happy Hour from 3:30 to 5:30pm and 6 to 8pm. Just a reminder…..there is a 50% discount on all cocktails, wine by the glass, beers, and house spirits. Later in the evening, there will be a Mardi Gras celebration in the Ocean Bar. We happened to be passing through it when we saw a big table with a huge King Cake, all cut up and ready to hand out to the folks. We guess it was aimed more to the early diners. Not to worry, King Cake was on the dinner menu this evening as well. The Ocean Bar cake was gone by 9pm.
Our day was filled with eating, of course, walking, listening to a lecture on octopus, and kicking back at the pool. The weather has been most pleasant, even though a bit on the hot side. The seas have leveled out with a small swell and not a lot of wind. During our morning walk, we thought most of the boobies had left the scene. But they re-appeared and have been joined by one frigatebird. If that is the case, this bird may be roosting on the ship. We wonder if this flock will be with us until Guam?
There were two more lectures – one about Micronesia, where we are headed, and another about jellyfish. We suspect there will be talks on the Japanese ports soon, since they will occur very close to each other. And there are many excursions to be sold before then.
After watching another fine sunset, we headed off to dinner. Mardi Gras dinner used to be one of the most festive ones with the waiters dressed for the celebration. Jester hats, colorful vests and bowties were worn by all, and they really got a kick out of it. So did we. Every table had a pile of green, gold, and purple beads to wear and also decorative masks. Tonight there was no sign of anything special happening in the main dining room. We know we should not live in the past, but it is what it is. Things have definitely changed in this respect, and we doubt it will ever change back…..even a little bit.
The menu did have some nice surprises. We both tried the breaded shrimp appetizer, salads, and the best of all…….the Club Orange entrée of veal cutlets, which were veal chops. And the big ones with the long bone. Barb would have said they were HUGE. And she would be right. Our waiters have been promising us they would show up on the menu and tonight was the night. They were just as savory and tender as we remembered. Then for dessert, we had beignets, which were like a donut with powdered sugar. Our waiter had suggested some ice cream and he was right. But we declined since the chops had been really filling.
There were new entertainers this evening, The Bird Dogs, singing songs of the Everly Brothers. They are actually brothers Max and Oliver Hoare promising a show like no other.
Four more days at sea, and we will be in Guam.
Bill & Mary Ann
