We have had fairly good sailing apart from one particular bad ship day. It wasn’t so much the sea but the ship was running so slow that it reacted to the weather more dramatically. I’ve not gotten sea-sick but I was very close to it. It had something to do with some type of new eco fuel that they had to prime the engines at low speed for one whole day to get the engines used to it. Once we were at full speed the ship barely moves. We had some warning from the captain that there would be rough seas with high winds today but apparently we are going to be just missing it or rather hitting the outer edges of the storm which shouldn’t be that much.
As for the trip itself the entertainment has been rather enjoyable and we have met some really nice people. Yesterday especially we seemed to make some connections in the area of travel. One especially lovely lady we met is from Georgia, lived in New York for some time and now lives in Mexico which she loves. She was trying to talk us into coming to visit her if we go to Mexico. She says she can take us to some fabulous clubs and would even be willing to be our “hag” as she giggled while saying that. I think it is the fantastic life stories that people tell with each meeting that I have appreciated the most. Also never has the old adage, “never judge a book by its cover” been more proven for me than on this trip. The average age is a lot older and the “set” a little more conservative in appearance and affect. The reality is they may be a little older but their lives and perspective are refreshingly mature and wise and you get the sense that they live their lives. Just so many inspiring people. I think we have only met a small handful of people who act “entitled” and who treat those around them, especially the crew, not very nicely.
With this trip the food and the crew have been spectacular. We have no complaints or dramatic exceptions to customer service. It has been a very smooth cruise. The food has been even better than all our trips before and the entire staff has, as usual, superseded expectations. And as said before, there haven’t been the annoying passengers. I think our greatest skill we have learned is how to be successful in yoga on a rocking ship. It’s not easy.
I had a funny observation today. While walking the outer promenade Forrest and I realized we were in the middle of one of the “get active” events they hold. It’s a good idea in that it encourages passengers to participate in the activity events by awarding them points. One way is to do a regular walking event in the morning. Forrest and I were not participating but enjoying a casual walk. All of a sudden we were beset by hordes of power walkers. There were women in blue hair rinses and jump suits, and wide rim amber colored sun glasses and men in short shorts, white polos and tennis shoes with black socks pulled up tight around their calves. They literally were a swarm of jog-walkers flooding the promenade and swallowing innocent passers-by as they enjoyed the sun, the endless miles of deep blue, and pleasant conversation. One particular instance that greatly amused me was a kindly gentleman minding his own business gazing out on the sunshine on the dark blue ocean from the promenade hand-rail and turned around towards the door to go back in when he looked to his left and saw the great wave of power-walkers heading his way as he moved towards the door. His eyes widened to show his whites and his mouth went agape as he realized he was about to be engulfed. The ship was a little unsteady and his gait stuttered while he tried to figure out if he should make a break or stand perfectly still. The fight or flight reflexes popping and whizzing in the backs of his eyes as he panicked. I say it was amusing because well first it wasn’t all that serious but also because I have been in that situation with a pack of determined, focused and in-motion cruise ship walkers. It’s intimidating at the least.
Forrest and I attended a lecture (which have been thus far spectacular and my favorite thing so far while on these long sea days) on Hawaiian folklore and geography. The lecturer is a professor at the University of Hawaii. Fascinating.
Overall we are well. Forrest is still recovering and with my encouragement he finally booked a few onboard acupuncture treatments at the spa. We are hoping they take the place of his cranial sacral therapy and that his body responds to it positively. I have been writing every sea day and have been making good headway on a project or two. BTW Please forgive the typos and run-ons with this blog. There is so much to write about and so little time to do it. We stay so busy.
Fyi the house did close. We arrive in Honolulu after four and a half days at sea on Tuesday. We miss you all and wish you were here. Forrest and I are so used to being with large groups on cruises that it seems so funny not to have a group around us.
