SUN DOG

April 25

We were up at 7:30 and after we were showered, shaved, and shampooed, we went to the buffet for breakfast.  I had oatmeal with butter and brown sugar and then biscuits and gravy, accompanied by several cups of very good coffee.  Bonnie had a sanctified egg, bacon, and a muffin.

After consuming of breakfast thereof, I returned to our stateroom to rehearse for my first talk.  Bonnie wants you to know that she did 13 laps round the track (or was it 15) after breakfast.  Completing her circumnavigation, she walked down to Deck 5 where we met for a talk by the cruise director.  On Deck 7 she was met by a woman coming up who said, "It's only the 2nd day.  You shouldn't be huffing and puffing."  Bonnie said, "I just did a mile around the track and I am entitled to huff and puff!"

The next several hours were typical cruise ship stuff -- she went to crafts, I went to hear the destination lecturer talk about Curacao (I wanted to raise my hand and interject some points, but refrained). 

Then we went back to the buffet for lunch where we witnessed an astronomical phenomenon which some of our fellow passengers called a "Sun Dog" (hence the title for this blog).  Imagine you are standing on the open deck of the cruise ship and one of the alien craft from "Independence Day" breaks through the clouds (if the picture posts, you won't have to imagine).  The sun was a tiny bright spot in the center of a gigantic grey cloud that was rimmed in a gold circle.  Absolutely fascinating.  If you want to know more than I've told you, Google is ready when you are (and your internet connection does not cost $99 for 200 minutes, plus 20 extra for signing up the first day).

I had a good crowd for my talk and a number of folks came up afterwards to ask questions.  The ship recorded it and it is playing right now on Channel 24, if you'd like to watch it.  Interestingly the camera never points to me (or at least in the small segment I watched) but just shows my slides.  I'll be interested to see if anyone tells me they watched it on TV.

Tonight's show was Donny Most.  If you're old enough, or if you've seen the reruns, you remember Ralph Malph from "Happy Days," so you know who our singer was.  He did a variety of songs from Frank Sinatra, and Bobby Darren, plus others.  A very good program, and he is staying on board and doing a second show in a couple of nights.

Tomorrow a day at sea and my second talk.  We are booking a tour for Cartagena since we've never been there and don't want to wander on our own and subject ourselves to possible kidnap by Columbian Drug Lords.  Wednesday we will go ashore by ourselves in Curacao and help the locals celebrate King Wilhelm's birthday.

Bonnie's turn:

Well, last night as I settled into our bed, I found we had one of the old fashioned beds from the motels where you put in your quarter and you are vibrated -- "Magic Fingers." Only I didn't have to put in a quarter, the bed vibrates all by itself all night. (oops!! did you just hear that -- we have the loudest toilet on the seven seas).  Any way I slept pretty well even with the vibrating bed.

As I was walking this morning I could see another large cruise ship just at the rear of our ship speeding along. At one point I thought it was veering off but it simply moved slightly to the right of our ship. I guess it thought because it was bigger it might run over us. It followed us most of the day.

It has been unusual so far on this cruise, that I have seen at least 5 or 6 cruise ships either going in the same direction or opposite direction, 4 or 5 container ships and a small sail boat when we passed near an island. Don't believe I have ever seen that many ships in one day. I sat outside on deck 5 twice today and crocheted. It was warm and nice in the morning and quite breezy and chilly in the afternoon. I thought I was going to have to get a sweater.

The one couple at our table did not return tonight but the other couple did. The man was walking into the dining room and had on shorts and the maitre d stopped him and said he had to go put on long pants.  Wow, they are following the rules. This couple is very nice and we have enjoyed our 2 evenings talking to them. The lady has allergies to strawberries, tomatoes, raspberries and pineapple. Also, she has to have gluten free. Every night the head waiter in a white jacket brings a menu for her to order for her meal the next night.

The food in the buffet and in dining room is quite good. David went to "tea" this afternoon and had tea and biscuit with clotted cream and raspberry jam!! He said it was quite good.

Well, enough of my silliness. I shall tell you about my craft project tomorrow. Hey Mac, Granny misses you. Miss all of you. Hope you are all well.

Love Mom/Granny

See you tomorrow.

TTFN!