The first thing we noticed when turning on the TV early this morning was that the safety video was up and running. Even though we did not have to do the muster drill yesterday, we did receive a letter from the Captain with all of the instructions for a real incident. Must be maritime law that we are up to date on the general emergency procedure. And it sure doesn't hurt that we know the details very well. Once the video was complete, the regular programming came back on.
At breakfast today, we found out there had been some unfortunate incidents yesterday with some of the guests. While on an independent tour with a small group of friends, two people were robbed while in a restaurant. It was described as a small venue with a limited number of tables and chairs on a patio. One lady's purse and a backpack had been lifted with the robber taking off on a run. We think he escaped with cell phones and debit cards among other valuables. Then we heard about more folks having falls while in town, and one was injured while at a horse show tour. All the more reason to watch every step we take, and most of all, not to carry large bags or purses.
We have to make a slight correction on the actual time the Volendam departed the port of San Antonio yesterday. Technically, it was 11:30pm and not the stated 10:30pm. One of us had already turned the clocks back one hour well before we sailed out of the harbor. So today when the Captain came on with the noon update stating we left before midnight, we had to think about that. Currently he was doing a speed of 17.8 knots to make up some of the lost time. We still have 1740 nautical miles to go to reach Easter Island. The temperature was 66 degrees and the winds were 13 knots. However, the sea swells were well over 12 feet causing a lot of pitching as well as rolling. Fort most of the day, we all had a fine time walking around the ship. He predicted the swell should decrease by tomorrow, so in the meantime he cautioned us to be most careful. He added that the days will be getting warmer.
As always, we kept busy all day, not wanting to risk doing a lot of walking. There was another crew drill in the morning with the promenade deck closed to walking. One of us that has kept up the daily hike went outside after the drill. Few others were out there.
There was a block party today with the chance to meet the new neighbors that boarded yesterday. Complimentary wine was served on all passenger decks, but we are not sure if there was any food served. Hard to eat snacks and hold a glass at the same time, while holding on with the motion of the ocean.
Sometime in the late afternoon, we passed Robinson Crusoe Island on the port side. Captain Rens mentioned this in his noon talk. We have only been there once, and thought it was pretty neat. Shortly after we left the island back in 2010, there was a tsunami that wiped out much of where we had been standing. So sad. Today the population is under 1000 people. We learned that we came within 18 miles of the island and were able to take several photos of the famous place. The photos were a little grainy, but acceptable.
With the time change, we actually had the opportunity to see a sunset and take a few pictures. It was a nice one at that. Now we will have to watch for the sunrise tomorrow morning as well.
Tonight we had reservations for dinner in the Pinnacle. It was just a regular evening, not a pop-up. The manager admitted that the pop-up dinners have gotten popular and they seem to fill this restaurant better than the regular dinners. We had our favorite wedge salads with clothesline bacon on the side. Mains were Chilean sea bass and one small filet mignon. We shared one order of French fries….the skinny ones. There were no more than 19 people dining in there tonight, so our dinner was seamless. No room for dessert, we were done by 9pm.
Showtime featured a singer by the name of Michael "Big Mike" Lynche. And the appropriate movie in the Wajang was Mutiny on the Bounty with Marlon Brando. Sitting at our window table in the Pinnacle, we did see a few folks sneak into the room to grab a few bags of popcorn. And for that reason, they always make enough to cover it.
So much for sea day #1 on the way to Easter Island.
Bill And Mary Ann
