What shall we do with the drunken sailors?

 

Jen here:

Sailing days—or sea days—are adventures within themselves.  We’ve mentioned many of the on-board organized events.  Each evening after the 9:15 entertainment, the cruise director takes the stage and announces the late evening events and the next day’s scheduled events.  His playful sarcasm chides us about the abysmal number of people who show up at the late-night dance opportunities, “Come on, folks, tomorrow is a sea day, so why not sleep in tomorrow and join the 6 of us who stay up late? Oh, did I mention that 5 of those 6 are in the live band?”  Or, “Hey, folks, where are my Bingo players in the audience?”  One person claps.  “Yup, she’s the one who comes.  One person playing gets all the prizes.  Come and join us at noon tomorrow.” The clocks go back two hours as we near Hawaii so his playful announcements are, “Hey, you’ve been so good lately that we’re gonna give you a gift.  We’re gonna give you an extra hour.  How’s that, ladies and gentlemen?  An entire extra hour.” Yes, he’s quite the showman and knows how to get applause.

How far have we traveled on our sea days so far? In nautical miles:

·        From Miami to Key West—170

·        From Key West to Cartegena, Columbia—1117

·        From Cartegena to the Panama Canal—273

·        From the Canal to Puntarenas, Costa Rica—507

·        From Puntarenas to San Diego--2458

·        from San Diego to Honolulu takes 5 entire days (and 6 nights)—stay tuned.  We arrive on Saturday, Jan. 15.

You’ll notice some more photos of our state room, some of our onboard activities and most visited areas.  The lighted clips are battery operated and are handy for holding scarves, recalcitrant Tigs, and ties.  Also nice for ambient light since candles are taboo.  Notice the desk/mirror/pantry/TV area.  Nope, it’s not ever that clean of papers or maps or guidebooks or bridge scorepads or electronic cords of all shapes and sizes as this is the only outlet for everything----unless we wish to use any of our adapters.  Notice the photo of our shower.  I placed my sandals on the floor for perspective.  It’s a tight fit and encourages us not to gain any more weight!  Speaking of which…the two dessert shots are from one of the two “specialty” restaurants on board.  These “exclusive’ restaurants are smaller, require reservations but no extra fee, are placed with lots of windows, and have a more specialized Italian menu featuring surf and turf, prime rib, Maine lobster, and other things I always need to research beforehand. but the desserts are my favorite.  (No one’s surprised, right?)  The burger-looking dessert is a nut cake formed into a bun shape complete with sprinkles resembling sesame seeds; the flat cheese-like sheet is a dried apricot puree; and the burger is chocolate mousse.  The second platter is for those of us who can’t make up our minds:  a selection of Toscana delights.   Note the photo of our bridge players.  We gather in one of the above-named restaurants and they clear the cutlery and glassware for our use on sea days. This is our second set of players; some have joined us for the entire trip while others come and go according to the legs of the trip which they have booked.  Jerry and I always play together.  So far it’s working out.  I’m learning bucketloads—especially because we play so often!

Sea days are easy to sculpt around Jerry’s meds regime.  He needs an hour before breakfast, timing fits barely for the 3 hours of bridge in the afternoon, then he can regulate them for the normally 6:30 evening meal and the 9:15 final show.  Sleep usually by 10 or 10:30. (we’re older than we used to be…)  Thanks be to God for medications.  He’s enjoyed a massage, but finds that the muscle stimulation activates his tremors.  Oh well.  We’ve found that skipping lunch leaves lots more food for others.

The daily noon announcement from the captain instructed that sea swells were at 6.5 ft.  We’ve had this weather for most of these past 4 days.  Feels like being gently rocked—continuously—in a cradle.  Makes for laughter in the narrow hallways as we drunkenly sway with the boat and an added degree of intensity as we attempt to power walk the jogging track.  During the trip from the mainland to Hawaii, temps have been in mid- to lower 60s with a pretty good breeze.  Looking ahead to Honolulu, temps all next week will be 79 or 80 with lows in 60s.  We’ll be thinking of you in the Midwest…

It's George’s birthday today.  He is 99.  He will be this amazing age for the next year, so if you wish to drop him a card, send to

George Henry

Cottage Grove Place

2115 1st Ave. SE

Cedar Rapids, IA   52402