It was already 81 degrees F with a humidity of 78% and winds of 8mph at 7am this morning. Both of us were awake to watch the sunrise at about 5:43am and it was a really nice one. Today was our third sea day on our way towards American Samoa. It has been most beneficial to have these days to re-energize.
After the normal time of 8am breakfast, we ran into Tom, our former host and friend for many years. It is fun to share information on those we know as far as staff and crew are concerned. People are moving around much more than in the past these days. Whether by choice or by company policy, we still do not know who the cruise director will be on the 26 GWV. Sitting outside the Pinnacle Grill, our buddy Nancy joined us. While we were chatting, the ceiling began to drip slowly on both of us. Oh my gosh, where was that coming from? We could only guess and hoped it was not from a restroom. Kumar, our Mariner rep happened to be passing by, when Nancy stopped him and said stand right here. Of course the drip was right above his head. He really was a good sport about it and promised to report it immediately.
Walking the promenade deck for one of us, while the other had another date with the ice pillow. It really did help with the swelling, although last night was not a good one. No sleep. The humidity outside felt more like 100% after walking for miles, but he did spot another tropicbird trying to land on the ship. No camera again. Glad I stayed in our cooler room with a fan while captioning photos.
Captain Willems came on with his talk and stated we were 1033 nautical miles from Fanning Island with 250 more to go to reach American Samoa. He expected the winds to increase from 10 knots to 25 knots later in the day. We suspect that was why we are feeling the motion of the ocean once again. He predicted overcast skies with a high of 77 degrees tomorrow along with rain, which will cool things down.
We ordered sandwiches from room service, which were delivered quickly around 2:30pm. The crew member that answers the phone calls has a very sweet voice and speaks very good English. The orders we have placed have been right on the money.
Last night we all received stickers for our "Journeys" booklet. What a good idea. Instead of the large paper certificates, these are the same size as the itinerary stickers we have gotten for each Alaska cruise, and eventually this South Pacific voyage. However, we are technically Emerald Shellbacks having crossed the Equator and the Prime Meridian off of the coast of west Africa…more than once. We think the name of the marker or buoy is called Null Island, but don't quote us. And honestly, the buoy did not exist the last two times we were there. But the Captains were able to position the ship, the Amsterdam at the time, so we straddled the north, south, east and west co-ordinates. Pretty neat we thought.
The usual sea day activities were off and running with two lectures from Dr. Christine Drake about Pago Pago and Apia, Samoa. Later in the early afternoon, she spoke on the Polynesians, Melanesians, and Micronesians. Origami folding and water coloring amused some folks. Several levels of bridge instruction took place and lessons for the ukulele and hula dancing are still ongoing. Indonesian teatime was at 3pm, and the Pinnacle Grill turned into an Indian venue with Family-style Indonesian cuisine. It was fun watching the staff in there this morning decorating for the special dinner.
The sunset was almost non-existent again. You never know what you are going to get.
Speaking of dinner, we had some new items tonight in the dining room. Starters were one bowl of chicken noodle soup and a Caesar salad. Mains were one mushroom quesadilla with rice, guacamole, and sour cream. Adding some shredded parmesan cheese on top of the mushrooms was just right. The other entrée was a French name for Lamb Wellington with marble potatoes, and bacon-wrapped green beans. Hold the mint jelly please. We finished the meal with one serving of a panna cotta and a plate of sweet ripe pineapple.
The show this evening was delivered by Suzanne O Davis, playing the piano with tunes from the 1970's. Yes, we remember it well. The Wajang movie was One to One with a music documentary for John and Yoko Lennon.
Ready or not, American Samoa, here we come.
Bill & Mary Ann
