The same was true when we would have a pre-dinner drink with her on almost each and every evening of the September, 2014 North Atlantic Crossing on-board Serenity. Like us, she enjoyed sitting at a table right near where the Pianist plays the piano at the Crystal Cove. We enjoyed many nice conversations with one another about a wide range of topics and she always was just fun to be around. She never complained about any health issues and in general was a very strong person. She reminded Keith of Actress Betty White.
When we left Serenity in September, the plan was for Tommie to get off Serenity in November when it arrived to Miami which she did. She was to take care of some items at home and spend holidays with family. Then she was to return to Serenity either on the January 4 voyage or for the start of the World Cruise, but unfortunately that was not to be.
While that never happened, we were hoping she would return sometime
during the World Cruise but we realized that was not possible and then learned
the other day from a very close friend of hers who is on-board Serenity for
this voyage that she was going to pass anyday. Yet, in Tommie character and humor she told her friend to
have a drink for her.
Even while sailing on the Serenity, Tommie enjoyed our Blog and we learned the other day from a very close friend of us some very nice remarks she made about us and they touched our heart.
She touched our lives as she touched others from friends and family at
home, to friends she had on the ship to many members of the crew. She was part of what we call our
Crystal Family.
Tommie, we will have a drink for you this evening and we will treasure
our time with you.
We wanted to share a couple of photos with everyone from our last cruise with her in September, 2014. May Tommie Rest In Peace.
Before dinner last evening, we met up with dear friends John and Linda at the Avenue Saloon.
Afterwards, we were back at the Crystal Dining Room for dinner.
We each started our meal with salads.
For our entrees, Anne Marie had Salmon and Keith had Turbo which Head Waiter Augusto had pre-ordered for him.
Anne Marie's Salmon Entree
Keith's Turbo Entree. The Turbo was quite flavorful.
For dessert, it was our usual. Anne Marie had blueberries and Keith had mixed berries.
The show for last evening was performed by Virtuoso Pianist Philip Wojciechowski who is an absolutely an amazing pianist. We first had the pleasure of hearing him perform on his first sailing with Crystal in 2010 and since that time we have had the pleasure of seeing him perform each year and often on more than one sailing. He is not only an outstanding pianist but he is very warm and kind and very sincere. He will stop by to chat with us as soon as he sees us sometime after he has come on board. His performance was wonderful and all we can say is Bravo.
We slept very well last evening. The seas continued to be relatively calm.
Keith was up first and enjoyed another workout at the Fitness Center. He watched two lectures that he had missed while working out, while also catching up with the news of the day.
Afterwards, he was back to the Lido Cafe for coffee and to read and to write.
Anne Marie walked for an hour before we had breakfast in our room.
Keith then got ready to go into Maputo, Mozambique. We were on the Crystal Serenity in 2007 when it made its Maiden Port Of Call stop at this port of call. As we understand, Serenity has not been back since which explains why so few of the guests have been here before.
We arrived to Maputo almost thirty minutes ahead of schedule. Keith took some photos as we were getting ready to dock.
Maputo is located to the west of Maputo Ba. The overall population of the city is close to 1.8 Million residents.
There was a shuttle that took guests between Serenity and the Local Market but with many guests sick with colds and other upper respiratory viruses, Keith decided to just walk around for a little while.
The people that we had seen in 2007 seemed more like those who we saw in places such as Dakar last year, particularly those trying to sell people goods. Unlike in Madagascar where the people would easily accept the word no thank you and were not pushy, they are very pushy here. We are not putting that down because there are pushy people around the world including our own country, but just stating the difference.
This time around it was somewhat different. Whereas in 2007 the people tried to sell all sorts of copy items (perfume, watches, etc.) this time they were selling local items. Last time they wouldn't accept no thank you but this time they did. It seemed a little more orderly than last time around.
I walked to the CFM Train Station which was not too far from the ship. The irony is that several of the Crystal City Shore Excursions stopped there as part of the first stop of their tour so Keith ran into several guests. He walked around outside and then inside the train station.
Keith also walked several blocks and kept very conscious about the surrounding areas and the people on the streets. He was stopped a few times by people who offered to guide him around the city by foot and also by some taxi drivers. He kindly declined but thanked each person for their offer.
Keith then walked back to the pier and took a couple photos of the beautiful Crystal Serenity.
Peek-A-Boo
Once on board Serenity Keith read and wrote and then worked out at the Fitness Center. Anne Marie continued to pack.
We each had a salad entree for lunch.
Later Anne Marie walked for an hour.
Keith also met up with dear friend Bob in the afternoon, while Anne Marie got the final items packed for our trip and also worked on her knitting project.
TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY.....
"Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed." - Mark Twain
No comments:
Post a Comment