I am not sure where exactly captain Bligh was when the famous mutiny took place but it had to be within a 100 miles or so of where we are. The mutineers amongst his crew cast him and those loyal to the captain adrift in a small boat and he made the longest journey in an open boat ever, to that date, what is now Indonesia, I believe. The mutineers sailed until they came to an unmarked island, burned the ship and started a new life. We hope to have those descendants of the mutineers on the Amsterdam on Friday between 8:00 and noon. The ship is apparently carrying goods for the Island and those that come aboard are treated to all sorts of creature comforts by the ship, like ice cream for one!
Regardless, it is a big ocean for sure. Life must have been terribly boring for those in sailing boats as they could only make a few knots per hour in this scorching weather. I think the trade winds blow east to west below the equator and in the opposite direction above it. Anyhow, this is 2014 and we have not seen a ship nor even a bird for some time. There was a bit of activity around Easter Island but the horizon is completely empty in all directions for days on end. I believe they have sea lanes and we are likely in one for ships westbound so we may overtake one or two, I suppose.
Fellette has a bit of Laryngitis that seemed to last overnight then disappear in the morning but that is the only excitement happening around here these days. The big excitement is that the Cutlers had a tour of the ship's laundry today. Wow, pretty bad when that is the top story of the day eh? The laundry employs 18 people and believe it or not they make their own uniforms for the crew. Pretty smart eh. Apparently it is not uncommon for the staff to put some meat on their bones while serving aboard. I believe they have five seamstresses. Also Jim and Gail have some insight into the medical department too. There is room for three in the morgue, thought that you may like to know.
We had a ship's doctor for a ship's escort on our Easter Island tour yesterday. I thought that he was a medical student but he said no, he was just well preserved. He was Asian, Chinese I believe. Apparently business is good down there, a few broken bones and the usual ailments with elderly people, many of whom have abused their body by being unable to push themselves away from the table.
I took a 10 minute trip around the ship today to get some pictures to give you a snapshot moment in time of life on board at 3:10 PM our time. In the Crow's Nest they serve tea at 3:00. My gosh, you should see the old folks scarfing down cakes and pastries, like kids in a candy store. I did not take a picture of course, I was embarrassed for them. They looked absolutely delicious.
While on the subject of health, I am perplexed. I am amazed at the capacity for alcohol and food by many people. [Not all by any means, but quite a few.] It is a large ship and I suppose they are not always the same people but it is amazing to look at them and see their inability to get around handily and yet tucking away all the goodies, between meals! I am equally amazed at some people who look trim and fit and also tuck it away with gusto. Different body types I suppose. And then some people seem to have passed the point of caring. I love all the stuff they are eating but know the side effects of it, for me.
Speaking of people, the folks on board are generally amazing. All seem to have had an interesting life's journey, well educated and knowledgeable on current affairs. Once again, I speak in generalities. The women amaze me more than the men; many are strongly opinionated, educated and not at all timid or afraid to speak out. I think I prefer a more genteel woman who is not ostentatious but somewhat more, shall we say refined, but of course with knowledge and opinions. I think the word I am looking for is a gentlewoman, same as a gentleman!
Anyhow, around the ship in 10 minutes… the ship looks basically empty I know, but there are about 1000 people aboard and I suspect there are many having a quiet time or shall we say, 'napping' right now. That one group of ladies is a 'Craft Class' that meets each sea day and makes something, sometimes junk, sometimes something useful. Also we have fun with the Panama Hats.
What an excellent photo of Fellette! It's a framer!
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