North Pacific Crossing - International Dateline
Highlights
Ventured out on deck a couple of times today. Actually feel you are brave even sliding the door open. It is really chilled - it’s not cold, rather, it’s beyond that - it’s icy!
Once you hit any stairwell or lift approach, you feel that cold blast. I even had the puffer jacket on inside and one of the dashes we made outside was to snaffle a blanket from the pool deck.
Hard to believe, but the pool deck is actually open and they are screening movies. There was a single person on the deck watching the movie - under a pile of blankets! Don't really understand it myself - you can watch the movies on the TV in your stateroom .
Also passed a dripping wet passenger in the hallway today - he was just running back from the hot tub! Again, I don't understand - can just fill up the bath!
Maybe they were two important tips and tricks that could have been shared at yesterday's information session.
We run through the same cycle in our day. Eat (usually two meals in the day - we skipped breakfast today) chat a bit, find some coffee and a chair in the public spaces, eavesdrop on the trivia (it was our cover today to legitimise an afternoon drink) and attend any enrichment sessions.
Grabbed a lecture on whales today, got the heads up on the upcoming port of #Sitka and crowded in for the session with the food and beverage head honchos.
The chefs and bar managers have a great rapport and so much banter was lobbed back and forwards. The session was really in response to questions from the audience and the crew were masterful in their responses - a lesson in diplomacy really especially when a major complaint was fielded around following a recipe for chicken broth in congee. Certainly went over my head, but the take aways from the 45 minute session for @Mac were 1) They are out of bananas and 2) Guests on the current cruise aren't drinking enough alcohol. He's adjusted his consumption of both accordingly.
And only because we love people watching - there is definitely that ONE guy on board. That one guy who has to be FIRST in any queue. That one guy who has to ask THOSE questions. That one guy who has to take up ALL the meet and greet time at the end of the session. We have been in the same session as him for a few days - very distinctive: wears a peaky blinder hat, carries a calico dilly bag and has a very distinctive European accent. Of oarticular note — no partner to keep on check! Oh, and it is always a "moan." Today it was about over cooked steak, apples that are stored in water, grapefruit that doesn’t arrive AND his opinion on "Australian" champagne. The French Beverage Manager tried to help him with the definition of "champagne" ... hmm, that was awkward. He doesn’t listen or like to be given an alternate explanation. He is the absolute master of invading personal space so no-one else can join a conversation — he steps in very close, juts out his tummy and spreads his arms out. I am officially listing him as part of my education, if not entertainment, for the day and I have very naughtily named him #Pesky Blunders. Seriously though - it is an eye opener.
Visited for two sessions with the @Ship Naturalist - and got a lot out of both of them (yes, #Pesky Blunders was in both and first in line for the after chat.) Fascinating facts about the whales - (let’s hope we get to see lots of them) and then a later afternoon session on the upcoming port of #Sitka. We haven’t been there before but will take advantage of some of the highlights he shared - mind you, he keeps warning us of what the weather will be like when we arrive - very wet. We’ll see.
@Allan asked if we were moving stateroom when we dock in #Whittier. Gave us a little pause ... let’s hope not. We believe we are booked all the way through in this stateroom and are hoping we can get some great views from the balcony as we get sight of land.
More confusion for the phones today because we have officially crossed the International Date Line so now we are repeating the May 6th date but still have to keep winding the clocks forward an hour at midday. Still lots of confusion and we invariably manage to sort out a few phones for people over dinner conversation.
Don’t mind admitting that I am "showed" out and instead of rushing off to see the magician just lingered a little longer in dinner and conversation and gave the comedian a miss - or maybe it was the magician tonight or another singer. Have no idea, we went to the #Piazza and just chilled.
Reaffirming for the record - and repeating myself - it has been cold. Seas are only slight but there is a wind that is cutting - need to put on a few extra layers to head outside. We keep bouncing around the deck - go forwards and backwards checking out new spots. Even got motivated to find the location of the gym today. It was packed! @Mac was not inspired to get on any of the treadmills and again, just too cold to be walking the track up on Deck 17.
Weather: 3 degrees and raining
Steps: 4 912
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