Day 14 Monday 19th January 2015 – A day at sea on the way to Aruba

We are now sailing along the most northerly coast of South America. The sea is 2 miles deep today, sorry not to be consistent, I can remember the Captain saying miles but not metres and my brain is too relaxed to convert it!  It’s 28C and a little bit cloudy now, although it has been clear most of the day, and all the sun loungers have been occupied. At several times of the day there’s a dj on the pool side playing a pleasant variety of music from the 60’s 70’s and 80’s.  In fact there’s a place for everyone on the sea days, people who want to stay indoors playing cards, people who want to learn how to use their I-pads, exercise, learn a language, make jewellery, patchwork, cross stitch, drink in a pub, do pub quizzes and play bingo, lie in the sun, pamper in the spa, shop in Harrods or buy clothes and jewellery, learn to use a camera,or ipad,  learn about art in the gallery as well as starting to paint, and use the library, practice yoga, work out in the gym, swim, listen to celebrity speakers.

There are no sea vessels anywhere to be seen, just miles and miles of subtly changing sea, sun and clouds. As we are not too far from islands there are now regular visits from seagulls and plenty of flying fish for them to dive for.  Because there haven’t been any big ones we have booked a whale watching excursion when we reach Mexico. This must be the best option, I am really longing to see whales and dolphins.  

We have had a restful sea day: art and dance classes, pool to cool down, deck walking and deep stretching. The art task was to sketch then paint an Indian woman, crouching on the ground digging or planting.  We are both pleased with our results.

 I chatted with our art teacher Easa today and asked him about his life since moving away from Manchester. It was so good to hear that his daughter is one of the production team for Pointless, we will be watching the credits from now on, and reminding us ourselves of the coincidences and stories of the cruise.

The dance class was mainly Ballroom Tango, with revision of the Rumba. We really need to practise, on our own and when other people are near enough to tread on.  Khachik has a cold and is dosing up on the day/night nurse, and taking it easy.

Have I mentioned that there’s afternoon tea 3-5 p.m. and there is a choice of cakes, scones, toasted tea cakes, hot food, sandwiches and fresh fruit? I have given the chocolate cake some stick this afternoon.  I try to eat fruit and drink peppermint tea at this time to make sure my clothes will still fit in the summer at home, but not today! It was really delicious

And did I mention dinner ;) ? We have 5 adventurous courses, starter, soups, sorbet, main, dessert, cheese and biscuits/chocolates, coffee and teas.  Tonight it’s a Gala Dinner with a menu by Marco Pierre White. It’s looking exceedingly good.  If anyone needs a special diet, the head waiter, Jovi, brings the following nights menus and the chef will make sugar free, gluten free, fat free, dairy free variations of the menu, so people on special diets never end up with a boring option.  Khachik does this with the desserts.  We have to scrub up and wear black and white tonight. It’s fun though. Make up, earrings the lot for me.

Of course that formal dinner arrangement is also a choice, you can have snacks 24 hours a day and eat things like burgers and chips, salads and sandwiches too.  You can choose from 5 different restaurants, some buffet, some waiter service. We have chosen formal evening and informal buffet lunch.  We will get to know 3 other couple really well this way in the evenings, and then meet and chat to many different people but not get to know them all as well at breakfast and lunch.

Signing off for now, next stop Aruba! Back tomorrow.