Before dinner last night, Keith made an unplanned visit to see one of the three Physicians on-board Serenity. Keith had noticed on his arm a red rash near where we believe the wasp stung Keith and we both thought it would be wise to have the nurse take a look at it and after she did Keith decided to see the physician. This time it was Dr. Ralph who treated Anne Marie for her upper respiratory virus. Over the years Keith has seen Dr. Ralph many times and Keith joked that he ends up visiting the Medical Center more times than when at home. The nurse did point out that it is more convenient and that is true. Most recently, Dr. Ralph treated Keith when he fainted last year and they both talk about this from time to time when they see each other around the ship. Dr. Ralph also treated Keith last year a few weeks before that incident for a badly bruised toe nail. In past years other visits included x-rays after Keith badly sprained his ankle the first year he started playing Paddle Tennis in 2010 and one other time for an upper respiratory virus.
The Doctor believes that the rash will likely not spread but advised if it does for Keith to return to the center and he prescribed both an antibiotic and an antibiotic ointment.
Afterwards, we had pre-dinner drinks at the Crystal Cove as we listened to Pianist John Mentis perform. Anne Marie was already at the Cove sitting with John and Linda and Keith joined in once he arrived from the Medical Center which is about a 10 second or less walk to the Cove. A few minutes later, friends Ed and Patti. Ed is a dermatologist and he kindly looked at Keith's rash so it was nice to get his thoughts and he too recommended the antibiotic ointment.
Afterwards, we had dinner at the Crystal Dining Room and we were joined by friends Ed and Patti. We first met them on one segment of last years World Cruise as they were introduced to us through a mutual friend, Nancy. Coincidentally, we were on the same Safari overland program in South Africa where a small group of us totaling just around 10 people were on a two night/three day overland. Ed and Patti were on the January 4, 2015 voyage and we had dinner together at Tastes. They left the ship in Miami to go home and then returned back for this second segment of the World Cruise.
We began our meal with appetizers. Keith had pre-ordered Tuna Tartare which he and Patti had. Anne Marie had jumbo shrimp cocktail instead and Ed had onion soup.
For our next course Keith had his standing order salad and Anne Marie had the Mixed Green Salad.
For our entree we all had Beef Wellington. As most of you know, we only have red meat a few times during the course of the World Cruise, but thought it would be nice to have this entree with others.
We took the liberty to pre-order this entree with Head Waiter Bojan the other day. We thought that everyone would enjoy this as an entree and the good news is we all did. It came with potatoes and also steamed vegetables and we also shared the standing order of vegetables that we have each evening.
For dessert, Anne Marie had a sugar free dessert while Keith and Ed and Patti had fruit.
We had a lovely times with Ed and Patti and enjoyed lots of great conversation and a lot of good laughs.
Afterwards, we walked around for a little while. We stopped by the reception desk and chatted briefly with Haley who is not only very professional in what she does but a very friendly person.
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We then stopped by the Avenue Saloon for a few minutes and spoke with dear friends Bob and Glo. From there we went to the first of two performances by comedian and musical humorist Dale Gonyea. Dale is amazing as he writes portions of what he will perform on-board the ship and bases the writing's on funny items that happen both on board Serenity and in port. He is one of those comedians who can make us laugh so much that we have tears rolling down our eyes.
Last night was one of the few times that we felt like we were on a ship since we boarded Serenity in December as the sea swells were stronger. For us, it was not bothersome at all as we have developed what is known as those "sea legs" given the amount of time we have spent at sea over the years.
We both slept very well last evening and the rocking of the ship helps too.
Keith was up first and we had our normal morning routine. Keith worked out and then went off to the Lido Cafe to read, write and have coffee. After having coffee, Anne Marie walked for an hour inside the ship, before we had breakfast in our room.
Rao mentioned that these were the Bananas that were brought on board in Bora Bora. While several food related items were brought on board in Papeete that had arrived from either New Zealand (container ship) or from the USA by plane, local regulations do not allow banana to be brought in from outside Tahiti. Banana from Bora Bora were small so Rao brought four rather than two but they were very tasty.
While we had breakfast we watched the daily morning show with Gary and Stacey. The special guest was Shore Excursion Manager, Daniel, who covered the tours that were just added for the stop at the Bay of Islands. Daniel mentioned that the Serenity did stop at this port in 2009 but we were not on that World Cruise.
Today is our last sea day of this cruise since instead of having a full day at sea tomorrow we will be going to the Bay of Islands. Given the time we arrive there we are not 100% certain what we will do as it involves a tender stop so we will play this all by ear. We will be crossing the dateline soon and when that happens we will not only skip a day but instead of being hours behind those of you in places such as North America we will get ahead of you. If you haven't done this before it can be confusing. Originally, we were going to skip the 18th but since we skipped the port the other day we will skip the 17th. For reservations that we have such as a reservation at Prego for the 17th this will become the 18th. Since the 18th was not going to exist on this voyage no one had reservations for the 18th. OK, now that we have you all confused, let's talk about today. LOL.
Keith made arrangements with some of his spin friends to get together at 9:00 AM for a class that Keith led. It was the most attended class that Keith has led with seven of them spinning. Keith and the others were on the bikes for one hour and really worked up a sweat. The good news is that a class has been added for tomorrow and Leanne will be teaching it.
Anne Marie would have gone to Pilates this morning, but she had he second hair cut of the cruise and Darko cut her hair. We both began using Drako last year shortly after he began working on the Serenity.
The lecture program on board this segment has been very strong in hour humble opinion and that was the case, once again, today.
The first speaker was Dr. Tom ones who spoke about our future in space. This included possible technology breakthroughs that could create tourism and commercial opportunities. We watched this when it was rebroadcast later in the day on television and enjoyed the presentation immensely. Keith went to the second half of the lecture as he had to get changed from the Spin Class and then saw the rest of it later in the afternoon on the television.
The second morning speaker was former Florida Senator and Governor Bob Graham who spoke about politicians he has known over the years and made it more of a personal talk. Keith enjoyed this talk.
In the afternoon, Dr Melvyn Bowen spoke about Oceanography focusing on what is going on around us and very far below in the South Pacific.
Although we didn't have lunch at the Crystal Dining Room, today was the Grand Gala Buffet which is only offered on selected cruises. This buffet featured a wide range of appetizers, entrees, salads and other items as well as an array of desserts and pastries. The effort that goes into this is amazing and requires a team effort between the waitstaff, galley, and sommelier's.
One of the Head Waiters, Jaques, who was overseeing the set up of the tables and dishes.
It's a team effort.
As Keith was looking over the desserts, he spoke with Pastry Chef Harald Neufang. Harald and his team is amazing.
A selfie which including the chafing dish and the ceiling.
We ate at the Lido Cafe where we each enjoyed a salad entree. It was fairly quiet between guests in Team Trivia and also many having the Grand Gala Buffet Lunch.
Keith wanted to play Paddle Tennis but the seas were rougher and many people decided to take the day off. Keith would have played if others came out so instead he went back to the Fitness Center to workout.
Anne Marie walked inside the ship for one hour. Afterwards, Anne Marie worked on her knitting while Keith met up with dear friend Bob and a couple of other guests and continued to solve world problems. LOL, but they do talk about challenges as well as potential solutions.
This evening we will be dining at Prego with two special guests.
TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY......
“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will”. – Vince Lombardi
Keith & Anne Marie
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