We woke up to fairly clear skies and smooth seas, a low swell, and gentle breezes. After yesterday's exciting thunder and lightning storm, it was a surprise that system had not followed us.
This morning at breakfast, they served hot cross buns with bleached raisins. A clear indication that Easter is approaching soon. In fact today is Good Friday and as always, Mass was celebrated at 8am. Also at 7pm, there was an interdenominational service in the Hudson Room.
While Kimberly was delivering her talk on the Maldives, we took our walk on the promenade deck. There were only a handful of people out there because it was too darned hot. We are rapidly approaching the Equator once again and we are feeling the effects of the heat and humidity. We expect the stop in the Maldives will be a warm and sticky one. The only sea life we have seen are flying fish, and very few of them. Still hoping for dolphins sightings, but so far….nothing.
The day was spent working on photos and reports from yesterday, and doing some research on Male, Maldives. This stop has been on our itinerary a few times in the past, but we have never made it there. Perhaps the tides were wrong, or we got bumped by another ship, it was cancelled each time. So during Captain Friso's noon talk, he shared some basic info about tomorrow's stop. Since this is the first time for him to visit this island country, he is unsure as to the immigration process with the locals. He is expecting things to be slow. He sort of relayed that he is nervous of navigating the many islands of this archipelago, but reassured us all that there will be a pilot onboard. The ship will be at anchor, and tender boats will be used to go ashore. It has been some time since we needed these. By the way, we will have a two day stay there.
Today while at the Seaview Pool, we asked the bartender, Gerald, if he went into Colombo yesterday. Previously, he had asked us about the conditions there and we were perfectly frank with him. We told him of our experiences there, and he decided it was best not to go anywhere. So what he and other friends of his did was make a collection of money that they gave to other buddies who went to the KFC not far from the port gate. He said it was the best $5 he spent and enjoyed the chicken immensely. Then he added that his friends told him the same type of stories about the tuk-tuk guys and taxi drivers and figured he made the right choice.
We did watch the Maldive talk and got more information about where we are going. We have been told that nothing is there and there is no place to walk. However, looking at the photos of Male, the capital, it is a small city, but there are things to see and do there.
This evening before dinner, we were invited to a President's Club Samosa Cocktail Party in the Gallery Bar hosted by the Captain and Henk M, and other officers and staff. There happened to be another pop-up dinner in the Pinnacle Grill at the same time, an Indian-Themed Dinner, so there were fewer of our group present. The officers circulate among the guests so everyone has a chance to meet Friso, since he recently boarded after Captain Frank departed. We had been chatting with the Assistant Accountant, who is in charge or ordering supplies and food for the ship. He is the money man next to the purser, or whatever they call them these days. It could be Finance Manager. He was very interesting explaining what goes on behind the scenes. Then Captain Friso came along and the conversation continued. He filled us in with the whereabouts of many Captains we have known over the years. Friso had been staff captain under several of the best and keeps in touch with most of them. Then it was his turn to move along and we had Mila, Henk's assistant. By the time the hour was up, we barely had time to finish our drinks. The waiters served some nice, but elaborate appetizers, but we still had to go to dinner, so we passed on the treats. Last but not least, Henk came along and we had a fun time with him as always. We congratulated him on his recent memos he sent out regarding the new shore excursion process as well as the rescinding of the peanut shell mess on the carpets. It is not often he has to pull rank like that, but we commend him for his efforts in keeping the peace.
Time for dinner, we ordered salads and the shrimp cocktails. Always good. The only really appealing item on the menu was the jerked pork tenderloin which really would have been better with some applesauce. It was more spicy than we are used to, but still tasty. Dessert? In a word….pineapple of course. And coffee.
Entertainment was a repeat performance by Sharene, the female harmonica soloist. Her songs were those you love played in ways we will not believe.
Ready, set….Male – here we come.
Bill & Mary Ann
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