It's always interesting how one connects with others.
We took our first World Cruise in 2007 and Mike and Lois were on for part of that World Cruise. It seemed like the luggage was not showing up as early as it normally does so Anne Marie would go into the hallway from time to time to see if she could see it coming. Lois did the same thing as their room was just a few rooms down from us. One time they just ended up standing in the hallway and talking with one another for awhile as they each waited for the luggage. As it turned out the delay in getting the luggage was due to a work slowdown by the porters who work at the Port Of Miami and not only check the luggage but are the ones who must bring all of the luggage onto the ship.
We then sailed with Lois and Mike when they were on board for four segments of the 2008 World Cruise and remained in contact after first meeting them in 2007.
On this segment the Tastes menu was updated with a few items added to the menu replacing some items. The menu is updated every few months to change things up. We tried a few of the new items along with others that we have come to enjoy.
We had several items that we have had on the last menu plus some of the new items, some of which we had the first time we dined at Tastes.
We had more courses than you see below.
Alsatian Tarte. We love this one and it has been on the menu since the opening of Tastes.
Saffron Marinated Lamb Kababs. Another one we really enjoy.
Scottish Cured Salmon which Keith mainly eats.
One of the newer ones. It is Breat & Butter Wagyu Beef Sliders. They had another kind of slider on the original menu. We liked the original one better but did want to try this one.
We did have two of the three desserts that are on the menu. When we dine at Tastes this is one of the few times that we have had dessert on board Serenity since we boarded in December.
The two we had were new to the menu and we thought were very tasty.
This one was a Berry Cobbler with Sour Cream Ice Cream.
This was Spicy Pumpkin Creme Brûlée with Butter Pecan Ice Cream.
We also had the Oven Roasted Cauliflower, Spinach Quesadillas, Gambas a la Plancha (used to be on the menu and brought back. It's very tasty and is Shrimp with a terrific sauce), Ahi Tuna Poke (raw tuna like this used to be offered and then removed and this one changed it up with a thin roll that you place the tuna in).
All in all we had a fabulous meal and enjoyed dining with Mike and Lois. We can't say enough about the wonderful cuisine, service and ambience of Tastes.
While we were dining, it poured rain for about 20 minutes. This is good news for the area as they have not received much rain since mid-December.
We did not attend the evening show as Keith is still bothered by his eye and the entertainment feature the Magician who we will be seeing this evening.
Our sailaway was at 9:00 PM. We both slept very well as we sailed to our next port of call. The seas were relatively calm but by early morning when Keith was working out it became fairly windy.
Keith was up first and you know the routine. He worked out and then went to the Lido Cafe for coffee and to read and write and then Anne Marie took a nice walk. Keith also went back to the Fitness Center while Anne Marie was walking. After the meal last night, he wanted to get an additional workout in. Afterwards, we had breakfast in or room and then got ready to take the tender over to the tender port.
We last visited Christchurch in 2011 just two days before the devastating earthquake devastated this beautiful city. We had a sensational day in port. The weather was sunny, the people were divine, and we enjoyed all of the beauty of this city.
Christchurch which was demolished by the Earthquake.
Botanical Gardens.
We took a boat ride on a boat that was similar to a Gondola.
The College
The epicenter from that Earthquake was right near the port area so we are still unable to dock there. Instead we docked at Akaroa and since the drive is over an hour each way and there is still so much to be rebuilt in the city we decided to spend our time at Akaroa.
We took the second tender from the ship over to Akaroa and the town of Akaroa was right at the tender drop off. When we got into the tender it was quite rough and the tender was pulling away from the ship and the crew did a terrific job getting each of us safely in the tender. Since it was early there were only around ten of us on the tender. We sat near friends Bill and Celeste and we chatted with them the entire time.
When we first arrived it was around 55 degrees fahrenheit and as we walked the sun began to come out but about an hour into our walk it became windy and there was no sun so it became much cooler.
We thoroughly enjoyed our walk. The town is quaint and charming and offered beautiful scenes for us to enjoy. We also browsed some of the stores.
Hopefully, the photos we have posted will give you a sense of how charming this town is.
Keith took a photo of ship's photographers Cesar and Anthony and then they took one of us.
A cold day to be wearing these and going in the water.
The Butcher.
St Patrick's Catholic Church which was built in 1865.
A cute restaurant and bar.
On our return trip on the Tender there was also a handful of people on the boat and we sat next to dear friend John. When we arrived back to the ship a lot of guests were standing at the tender deck waiting for a tender.
We arrived back to the ship after enjoying over two hours walking the charming little town of Akaroa.
Once back on the ship we tried to warm up and then we read and wrote and Anne Marie worked on her knitting.
We had lunch at the Lido Cafe where we each had a salad entree.
Afterwards, Anne Marie walked for an hour and also worked on her knitting project.
Keith worked out again at the Fitness Center and today was on the Elliptical Machine for a total of three hours. Possibly a guilt trip from dining at Tastes last evening. He passed on Paddle Tennis and will wait a couple of more days. Afterwards, he got together with dear friend Bob.
This evening we will be dining at the Crystal Dining Room and before dinner we will see the Magician perform. More on this tomorrow.
TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY.......
Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.” - Franklin Roosevelt
Keith & Anne Marie
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