DAY 103 AT SEA & DAY 95 ON CRYSTAL SERENITY

We wanted to start by saying that one of the aspects of travel that we appreciate the most is discovery.  It does provide an opportunity to see things through our own eyes, and without filters that can come from others.  At the same time we realize that we might see an area for just four to eight hours and to learn more requires a return to those areas whether on a land trip or by a cruise.

We can say that based on our limited time in Madagascar that we found the people to be very friendly in spite of the challenges where they live.  Maybe it's because they don't know how others live in certain areas of the world, although there challenges are not much different than the challenge of tens of millions of people throughout the world.  For most of the people, they eat rice three times a day and if they are fortunate they might be able to add some fruit, vegetables or possibly even fish, beef or chicken to their rice although it would usually be fish if that was even possible.  Many of the families earn an income of around $100.00 per month.  

We didn't see many people who are elderly in either port and wonder if that is indicative of a short life expectancy for the vast majority of the population in this country.

All of this is a reminder who fortunate so many of us are and that when something doesn't go our way to remember that it pales in comparison to the hardship that these people endure in their daily lives.    Lots to think about.


Before dinner last evening, we went to the Avenue Saloon.  We sat with dear friend John and Linda.  Jun came around with various Canapés.  While we didn't have any of them we took a photo of Anne Marie with Jun.

Afterwards, we were back at the Crystal Dining Room.  

We each began our meal with salads.  

Keith had his standing order salad.

Anne Marie had the Heart of Romaine Salad which was accompanied with Boiled Egg, Garlic Croutons and Blue Cheese.

For our entree, we both had the same item but Keith had his prepared differently from the menu.

Anne Marie had the Grilled Swordfish Steak from the Modern Cuisine Menu which was accompanied with Sweet Potato, Citrus-Coriander Ragout & Snow Peas.  

In the morning, Keith had spoken with Head Waiter Augusto and asked if they could prepare the Swordfish Butterfly Style for him.

For dessert it was mixed berries for Keith and blueberries for Anne Marie.

The seas were relatively calm last night which made it very easy for each of us to go to asleep.

Like clockwork, Keith was up first and enjoyed a nice workout at the Fitness Center.  After his workout, he went to the Lido Cafe for coffee and to read and write.

Anne Marie was able to walk for an hour inside the ship before we had breakfast in our room.

There were lots of activities on the program including four lectures.

Tom DeFrank spoke about the behind the scenes views at the White House.

Next up was Tom Franda who spoke about current day Russia and then expanded this to include his predictions for the next ten years.

In the afternoon, Judith Fordham spoke about real criminals who have taken the lives of the rich and the famous.

At 4:30 PM there was a fourth lecture vein by Dr. Donal Behnke who spoke about Jazz from the beginning.

Anne Marie took Gentle Yoga in the morning taught by Maria Kita with assistance from Joe Kita.

There was an indoor cycling class at 9:15 AM which Keith would have taken but at the time of signup he was going to play in the mens' doubles Paddle Tennis Tournament at 10:00 AM.  As it turns out the overland program get together for our upcoming Safari was scheduled for 10:00 AM.  If Keith would have known this he might have taken part of the indoor cycling class but by the time he tried to sign up for the class, it was already fully booked.  

We both went to the overland program get together.  Since we are returning to the same lodge we went to last year, we didn't have any questions but one of the reasons we wanted to be there was to meet our escort and to also meet those on our overland.  Dear friends Bob and Glo will be part of the overland.  In total there will be four couples including us and one escort, Evelyn.  Evelyn is one of the assistant Shore Excursion Managers on Crystal Symphony and is on this sailing as part of her vacation.  

We will leave the morning that we arrive to Richard's Bay and will be driven to the Private Game Reserve at Phinda.  Our overland is three nights/four days which is one day longer than the one we took last year.  On the final day, we will be driven to the Durban Airport around three hours from Phinda and will take an hour flight that goes along the coast to Port Elizabeth airport where we will then be driven around 10 minutes over to the port to meet up with Serenity.

Afterwards, Anne Marie went to Knitting and Keith went back to the Fitness Center.

We had lunch at the Lido Cafe where we each made a salad entree.

Later in the afternoon, Keith played Paddle Tennis, went to the Crew Tug o War & Slipper Pole Competition and then met up with dear friend Bob and Anne Marie walked for an hour and also continued working on her Knitting Project.

The Crew Tug o' War & Slipper Pole Competition is a tradition of World Cruises and the World Cruise Games.  

Before the Crew Tug o' War Competition began, each department paraded in costume.

The Entertainment Department

Housekeeping.

Ronnie leading the Engineering Department.

The Salon Department

The Dining Room Team led by Head Waiter Igor.  Also, our Head Waiter Augusto was the Coach of the Team.

In years past, the Engineering Department would usually be the winners of the Crew Tug o' War Competition, but in recent years it has been the Wait Staff Team from the Crystal Dining Room who would be the victors usually facing off against the Engineering Department in the finals.  Once again, the victor this year was the Crystal Dining Room Wait Staff Team.

All in all it was a fun event and another wonderful day on board Crystal Serenity.

Keith has a special evening planned for Anne Marie.  More on this tomorrow.

TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY.....

"The price of greatness is responsibility." - Sir Winston Churchill

Keith & Anne Marie