Two days to Barbados...

Monday, January 18. Clear in morning, 22 C at 7 AM, lovely day ahead, nice sunrise.

Another Horlicks last night, plus staying up later, plus our inner ear getting used to motion and it all adds up to better sleeps.

Sea days do not really offer much photographic opportunities, unless perhaps I started photographing some food-related shots, [that is a possibility!]

Some flotsam and jetsam that is popping out of my head on a beautiful relaxing day at sea...


I am aware that some/many readers have not yet cruised and, may never have the desire to cruise. [Conversely there are some experienced travellers who are readers as well, this blog is not for you.] I suggest you try it one day before saying 'I would not like to cruise'. Cruising does not mean that you are socially involved with strangers or friends for that matter, all of the time. You can request and many people do, a table for two.

There are so many varied activities, if you wish to participate, that some people are on the go all of the time. Others can just enjoy their own company in their own cabin or the many public and almost private places available about the ship. All about the ship one sees individuals, couples and small groups. More often than not, the conversation is muted or minimal, often just buried in a book, eyes shut or gazing out to sea, deep in thought, or not. It is good for the soul methinks, one can sometimes get a handle on life at such a time.

- Did you know that some people's only social activity aboard is playing bridge, lessons and all. Serious people those Bridge players.

- Did you know that some/most ships have male 'dance hosts'? Their obligation was to be at every dance occasion on the ship, including the free lessons, and to escort shore excursions as the ship's representative.

- Did you know that room service on most ships is available 24 hours per day, at no charge?

- Did you know that on some ships you can have the evening meal that is served in the dining room, served in your cabin, no additional charge?

- Did you know that if the menu selections for the main course are too tempting, such as lobster, steak, lamb chops [or whatever] you can ask for more than one, served on one plate? Such as lamb and lobster...

- Did you know that P & O hires the vast majority of it's stewards from Goa, a province/state of India, and has done for over 125 years.

- Did you know that most ships have a comprehensive library, some are exceedingly interesting, not just novels, one could do serious research on some ships.

- Did you know that communicating with the real world while at sea is tricky and expensive. I bought about eight hours internet time for $220, [44 cents Canadian $ per minute.] Cellular phones at sea can cost well over $5.00 per minute. In some areas in the world there is no communication satellite available at all. We have been without TV news for three days now, although email is getting through, for now. The speed of the internet is much faster than dial-up but slower than at home. I am hooked up wireless.

- There is a decent sized swimming pool that is absolutely hilarious to be in when the ship is pitching, front to back before they shut it down.


- Did you know that there is really no water-use restrictions on board? The ship generates much more pure drinking water than it could ever use.

- We have not seen a ship since leaving Madeira, four days ago , nor a bird, imagine the chance of rescue on a raft in mid Atlantic, or worse, Pacific. Seeing a land bird at sea is a topic of conversation actually, it gives you some idea of how numb our minds become. Sometimes the bird life is quite interesting. Albatross will sometimes shadow and float by parallel to the ships, it is absolutely thrilling to see such a bird that measure over six feet wingspan just meters from the deck, cruising along just checking us out.

- Washing clothes can be done in the coin-operated machines in rooms dispersed on various decks on the ship. The challenge is to get a machine when it is empty. Fellette tried three days before getting one. Often the washing room is also the place to get the latest rumours and gossip onboard.

- Dolphins will often play with the ship, swimming off the bow, doing their diving and sailing routine, [without the help of trainers.]

- Whales are a rarity, we have seen only a few, mind you one has to be looking out to sea to witness them. Sometimes the bridge will announce interesting displays by dolphins and particularly whales.

Today our day was; attending a couple of interesting talks, a bit of deck walking, reading, ironing and relaxing. It was too hot to read or relax on the balcony, we are really not ready for hot weather but it is upon us. Oh yes, we went dancing before dinner, Ian and Judy were at a separate cocktail party.