128 Days Around the World

March 18, 2020

At Sea

As my mother used to say, “What a mell of a hess!” (she didn’t like to curse in front of me). Today, many people found out that the flights they thought they had, were no more. Qantas and Delta cancelled numerous flights between Australia and the US. HAL finally stepped up and said they would help anyone who did not have a flight. We received a letter about noon asking if we had a reservation, needed a reservation, or had HAL air and it needed to be returned by 5 pm.

The prices of the flights home have skyrocketed and the $1250 HAL is offering will not cover the cost of a seat in many cases. One of my friends was quoted $6000 for business class. I hope my travel insurance will cover the cost but that is something to worry about when I get home.

I still do not have a reservation but my travel agent is supposed to be working on it. I will go see Steve and Wendy (who represent Cruise Specialists) again tomorrow morning to see if they know anything more.

All of us who made Project Linus blankets met at 9:45 for a group picture. There was a huge number and Captain Mercer joined us. There should be well over 400 blankets by Friday, the last day to turn them in. The blankets were all laid out for everyone to come by and see. I turned in my #8 (making a grand total of 14 with the ones I made at home) and the leftover yarn.

We had our last winding day at Sit and Stitch. Judy (Lee)’s husband, Rich, help wind yarn for Sherita and Judy (Margaret).

In morning trivia we had 9 out of 15 but the winners had a whopping 14 correct.

1.Which constellation has a hunter with a club and a shield?

2.Jake the Jailbird and Officer Mallory are characters in which popular board game?

3.Toxicodendron Radicans or T-radicans are more commonly known as what?

4.Which opera singer was known as “La Stupenda”?

5.In a professional soccer game, how many referees are there?

Since I have no more Linus blankets to work on, I spent the time after trivia packing. I am getting worried that all my stuff will fit in my suitcases (I may need to buy a box again).

In Arts and Crafts we made a scissors fob and even got a pair of stork scissors to go with it.

I packed some more before I changed for dinner since I was eating early at my other table tonight.

Afternoon trivia was called “World Wide History” and most of the questions were fairly easy. We had 17 out of 19 but were edged out by a team with 18.

1.What is the modern name for Van Diemen’s Land?

2.What was the name of the first space shuttle in 1981?

3.Which English Queen reigned for 9 days?

4.How did Alexander the Great solve the puzzle of the Gordian Knot?

5.Which country admitted to blowing up Greenpeace’s “Rainbow Warrior” in 1985?

One of the traditions that had to be scrapped was the Medallion Ceremony. Normally there is a get-together in The Mainstage and the people receiving 100, 300, 500, or 700-day medallions are called up and can get a picture with the captain. Instead, this year the medallions were delivered yesterday and you could stop by and get your picture taken before 4 and 8 in the atrium. I had mine taken (300 days) on the way to dinner.

Dinner was the Orange Dinner Party described as “a great opportunity to wear something abundantly orange and celebrate the Dutch Royal color, then, close the night with a near King’s Day Orange Party in the Crow’s Nest.” There were a number of Dutch items on the menu.

The show tonight was Chantelle Delaney, a singer, songwriter, and guitarist. I sat with Sherita downstairs (I almost always sit in the balcony) and the show was very good. I skipped the party in the Crow’s Nest.

I am hoping for a longer night’s sleep tonight. The last two mornings I woke up very early and could not get back to sleep because of the stress. Hopefully, tomorrow I will get a flight.

Morning trivia

1.Orion

2.Monopoly

3.poison ivy

4.Joan Sutherland

5.one

Afternoon trivia

1.Tasmania

2.Columbia

3.Lady Jane Grey

4.cut it with a sword

5.France