It was a Black Tie Optional Night featuring dinner, a Captain's Reception and and Special Entertainment.
Before dinner, we had drinks with dear friends John and Linda at the Avenue Saloon and then we went to have some photos taken of us.
We dined at the Crystal Dining Room where we enjoyed a very nice dinner. We brought Easter Gifts for our Senior Waiter, Waiter, Sommelier and Head Waiter. They are an absolutely wonderful team.
For our salad, Keith had his standing order salad and Anne Marie had the Baby Leaf Spinach Salad which included Boiled Eggs, Garlic Croutons and Bacon Bits.
The Main Course Lobster included Fresh Maine Lobster, Spinach Pearl Cous Cous, Lobster Butter and Asparagus which Anne Marie absolutely enjoyed as Lobster is one of her very favorite entree.
This time the Lobster was featured on the Modern Menu. During the World Cruise they have alternated its preparation so that one time it is on the Modern Menu and another time it is on the Traditional Menu.
Keith had the Fresh South African King Clip, which was served with Sweet Corn Chowder, Oyster Mushrooms and Crisp Leeks. The King Clip was also served the first night of our Safari when we had the joint dinner with other Crystal Guests who were staying at the Phina Forest Lodge.
Although we passed on dessert, other than blueberries for Anne Marie and Mixed Berries for Keith, one of the desserts on the menu was appropriate for Easter as it was the Bugs Bunny Cake which included Carrot Cake, Raspberry Tapioca soup, Bakes Filo and Vanilla Ice Cream.
For those of you who know us, you will know that we love The Beatles. Although not old enough to have attended a Beatles Concert in person, we both remember their introduction to the USA when they first appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. Their February 9, 1964 performance on Ed Sullivan included All My Loving, Close Your Eyes and I'll Kiss You and She Loves You. We watched each of their performances. We were fortunate to have seen Paul McCartney (Keith's favorite Beatle) at one of his performances when he played quite a bit of music from The Beatles. Their first performance
Last year The Beatles Celebration Group was brought on board to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of The Beatles having performed on Ed Sullivan. They performed two performances on one of the evening's and then at a mixer. A couple of months later they were brought back for a performance on a voyage right after the conclusion of the World Cruise which we were on and their performance included the members of the Galaxy Orchestra and the String Quartet. This year a lot has been planned and last night was the first performance where they played songs from their early years. We got there early so we could sit in the front row. Keith has kept up with the lead performer and producer for Beatles Celebration, Karl, throughout the year and they have three different groups. We think for just about anyone that the music of The Beatles brings out the "kid" in most people. Their music is also multi-generational as our very own children enjoy the music as well.
We went to the 8:30 PM performance and had a front row seat. Before the show began, Karl who produces not only this band but the other Beatle Bands they have and who plays Paul McCartney and was also in the West End Beatles Production from several years ago, stopped by to chat with us for a couple of minutes. Although he had spoken with Keith while we were on the pier waiting to go through the exit immigration in South Africa, this was the first time he saw Anne Marie since last May.
The Galaxy Show Room was pretty much full a few minutes before the start of the show, and the show was over an hour. The group came out to do an encore of three songs and most people were on their feet and many, such as yours truly, were dancing. It was a lot of fun.
A show like this does bring out the "kid" in most people which for us is just wonderful to see on the World Cruise. While the song goes, Close your eyes and I'll kiss you, at last night's performance if you closed your eyes you would think you were back in the 1960's and at a live concert of The Beatles. Yes, we loved it.
Paul
Paul & George
Ringo
John
They played music from around 1962 - 1965 and changed costumes once to the kind they wore at Shea Stadium and Candlestick Park.
The good news is when we returned to our room we set the clocks back one hour as we sail into a new time zone.
We were fairly tired and fell asleep easily.
Keith was up first and back to the Fitness Center for his workout before he went to the Lido Cafe for Coffee and to read and to write. While at the Fitness Center he watched the rebroadcast of the lecture given by Tony Leon who has served in many roles including as Ambassador to Argentina from South Africa. He spoke about many items related to the continent of Africa and Keith learned quite a bit from the lecture. He broke down Africa into the countries that are part of it as often we all tend to lump them all together in our minds. He is very charismatic and is so popular with many Crystal Guests that he has been on several times since he first made his debut with Crystal during the 2010 World Cruise.
Afterwards, Anne Marie walked for an hour and then we had breakfast in our room as we watched the Daily Morning Show. Cruise Director Gary Hunter had asked Keith the other night if he could provide some photos from our Safari trip to him as from time to time they enjoy sharing photos with our fellow guests and they showed the photos that Keith provided to Gary.
There was lots on the program today.
In terms of lectures:
Dr Rob Wilder spoke about territorial seas and the history of the three miles territorial sea.
Lord David Steele spoke about his fifty years in politics.
In the afternoon there was a watch ceremony.
The smaller lecture facilities were being used since the Galaxy Showroom is being set up for a special show for all guests on board Serenity.
Anne Marie attended Yoga Class and also the Knitting Class. She is working on a new project for our Grand Son.
Keith attended the first lecture and also played Paddle Tennis. He played with dear friend Lieve who is back on board with her husband, Hector who is an outstanding organist who will be performing tomorrow night and a few nights after that. Ray who was on the Holiday Cruise and the first Segment of this World Cruise is back and we also played with some other guests. Had a lot of laughs.
As we ran into people throughout the day, several said "we could tell that you both enjoy The Beatles." We innocently said why and they said because we saw you both dancing. LOL but true.
We had lunch at the Lido Cafe and each made a salad entree.
In the afternoon, Anne Marie walked for an hour and continued to work on her knitting. We have mentioned that she is working on knitting socks and has finished the first sock and now will start the second to make a pair of socks.
Keith played Paddle Tennis for a couple of hours. As was the case in the morning, he enjoyed a lot of close games and also a lot of good laughs. He also watched the second lecture on television and then met up with dear friend Bob and a few other guests.
This evening we will be dining at Prego.
TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY....
"Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." - Benjamin Franklin
Keith & Anne Marie
Now that's one nice looking sock. I think she's mastered that very well.
ReplyDelete