Days 59 and 60 - At sea

Monday, March 10

Today is day 59 and we have 59 more after today.  It seems impossible that we are half way through.  Today we are back in "The Doldrums" and the sea is amazingly calm.

I hadn't been to the pool in almost two weeks so when I awoke at 10 to a gorgeous blue sky, I got ready quickly and was at the pool by 10:30.  We crossed the equator at 11:23 while I was swimming in the pool.  As usual I stayed until Nexus started playing at 12:30.  (The band is not really bad but they are very loud and play the same songs over and over.)

After lunch in the Lido (it seemed like everybody on the ship was eating there - I had to actually eat in the World Voyage section of the Garden Lounge) there was another "Crossing the Line" ceremony for those we picked up in Australia and New Zealand crossing the equator for the first time.  I was able to get some pictures of the polliwogs being "punished" that I missed last time because of where I was standing.  It was very hot and my face is going to need some aloe.

There was a good turnout for Needlework/Knitting group but I had forgotten my reading glasses.  I tried to get through my first row of knitting but finally gave up and went to the stateroom to get a pair of glasses.

After that I went to 4:15 trivia.  I had 11 out of 20 correct.  Then stopped by the casino and won 19 cents!  (I always quit playing after I win more than I put in the machine.)

Late afternoon found me sitting on my balcony.  The beautiful, silky blue water, a slight breeze, and a magnificent sunset made it perfect.

Once again I went to early evening trivia.  A woman who speaks virtually no English comes in each night and sits at the table with me.  Through sign language I have gotten the idea she is trying to listen to English in order to understand it better.  I again had eleven correct.

Seven at dinner tonight.  Lynn was back and feeling much better.  I did not go to the show (a singer) but again tried to stargaze but I could not find a really good place where it was not too brightly lit.

Tuesday, March 11

Had a phone call at 8:30 from a friend of Porthopper 101, a CC friend.  She had sent me a beautiful handbag in the recycling thread on CC.  Porthopper has done a number of world voyages and had gotten married on QM2 on last year's trip.  She sent me a note to say "hi" to her friend who is Japanese and also a solo traveler.  I had asked Janice, the Social Hostess, if she knew the lady and she did and passed her my stateroom number.  I hope to meet her one night in the Queens Room.

After the phone call I went back to bed because it was cloudy out.  Didn't actually get out and about until around 11:30.  Today they had an "enhanced" buffet in the Lido.  They were cooking somethings to order and had a much fancier display of desserts.  There were also ice carvings and a display of fruit.

I am reading a book by Ann Granger, an English mystery writer.  I have read most of the books in a previous series, the "Mitchell and Markby" books.  The one I am reading is the first in the "Campbell and Carter" series.  I sat in the World Voyage area for about an hour reading.

After reading it was time for Needlework/Knitting group with about twelve in attendance.

A quick trip from Cafe Carinthia to the pub and 4:15 trivia.  12 out of 20 correct (the winning team had 19).

Then it was a late tea and time to sit on my balcony (my sea day routine).  Unfortunately, it was quite hot and humid so I abandoned the idea and had to change my routine.

Trivia again at 7:45.  I had only 8 out of 20 correct.

Six for dinner tonight.  The show was a ventriloquist.  I made it through about fifteen minutes before I left (and about 20 people left before me).  He is definitely no competition for Jeff Dunham.

Could not sit on my balcony because rain was blowing in.  We are also doing a lot of rocking tonight.

Enhanced Lido buffet

Smooth sailing until next time!