Sunday, 26 January 2014

Day 14 - At Sea



Day 14 – Thursday 23rd January 2014


Day 14 - Thursday 23rd January 2014 - At Sea


The morning in the gym and sauna are spent with the usual suspects, I am surprised there are not as many takers to this fine facility.  The Pilipino attendants are used to me now and we chat away about anything and it is all very friendly.

Even managed to go on deck for a bit of bronzy but not too much as the sun is very strong and I have plenty time to work on the tan.

Today’ lecture in the theatre was given by John Laverick  on ‘The Panama Canal – Its History, Construction and Operation’.  This was most informative and as this will be one of the highlights of the cruise, the theatre was full and it can hold around 700 people and covers three decks at the forward end of the ship.

There are many and varied activities and today I joined another group.  The ‘Singers at Sea’, a choir, and this was to be our first rehearsal.  Lead by Leah, a canny lass from Sunderland; about thirty of us turned up and accompanied by Robin on the piano, we went through our assigned songs.  For our first go it was not too bad but it was a laugh
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Tonight was another Captain’s welcome party for all of those Americans who have just joined us.  It was a formal night and the Americans really get into the dressing up.  The champagne reception was great, our Captain with his wonderful banter introducing his senior officers.  I also re-introduced myself to the Chief Engineer, found the Staff Engineer and chatted with him before going off to dinner talking with the Apprentice Engineer, a Sunderland lad who is studying at South Tyneside college where I studied took all of my tickets.
Dinner was salmon/plaice/parfait which all were excellent.

Our wine waiter Goran has got the measure of us, as at night he presents the wine menu alternatively to us for our selections.  The wine is grand with a very fine selection; we choose normally $35 to $45 a bottle and have not made a bad choice yet.  Of course we stay away from the ridiculously expansive wines.

Today’s cocktail is Black Russian very nice, every day there is different special price on one of the cocktails, reduced price of $6.

After dinner we are having these in the Golden Lion listening to the karaoke before ending up the Yacht club for night caps.

A very enjoyable day and look found to tomorrow’s visit to the Caribbean island of Aruba.



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