128 Days Around the World

March 5, 2020

At Sea

We had our third Cruise Critic Meet and Greet this morning in the Crow’s Nest. Although I had confirmed the date, there was no coffee, tea, or cookies. We had a good turn out and met a handful of members who joined us is Auckland. The latest scuttlebutt dealt with another change in itinerary. A few people had heard we were not going to India or Sri Lanka from “reliable” sources. Speculation on where we might go instead was a popular topic.

I had a few minutes at Sit and Stitch and we had another Judy (we are calling her Judy N.) join us. She embarked in Auckland. Judy (Lee), Judy (Margaret), and I took finished blankets down for Project Linus. I also was able to share the wonderful story of the yarn donation.

Once again we were ‘bridesmaids’ in trivia with 9 out of 15. The winners had 10.

1.Which actress wrote the autobiography, “Call Me Anna”?

2.What dental specialist performs root canals?

3.In Roman mythology, who killed Remus?

4.What peace activist was the MC at Woodstock?

5.In a controversial move, which was the first European country to ban smoking in bars?

6.Clinophobia is the fear of what?

When the captain made his daily update the “reliable” sources proved to be correct. Sri Lanka has closed its ports to all cruise ships and India refused to give a blanket visa for the ship. Instead we will be visiting more of western Australia. (Most everyone onboard was pleased as was I.) We have added four ports in Australia including an overnight in Freemantle.

I worked on my next Linus blanket and then went to lunch in the Lido. We had met some rough seas and a whole stack of plates at the bread station went flying and broke. We could also hear some things falling over in the kitchen.

We made paua shell earrings in Arts & Crafts.

In afternoon trivia we had 14 out of 18. The winners had 16.

1.What is the stage name of Gordon Sumner?

2.What drink is Brazil’s biggest export?

3.What does “karaoke” mean?

4.In 1920, which Belgian city hosted the Olympics?

5.What bird is sacred in Peru?

After trivia, Marilyn and Rodney (who are from Perth) gave us some ideas of things to do while we are there.

When I returned to my cabin I was able to get online and stay online for over an hour! I was able to upload the pictures for March 3 and 4 that I have not been able to do.

Tonight was a Gala Night and the Captain’s Dinner. Instead of having weekly Captain’s Dinners with a few people, it was decided to have one night in the MDR for everyone. The menu was not met with a lot of enthusiasm. Everyone I spoke with didn’t like something about it. Captain Mercer welcomed us in a short speech. We had a gift of a painted ceramic box.

I did not go to the show which was a presentation of the singers and dancers which I had seen before.

Another sea day tomorrow.

We gain another hour tonight to be on Sydney time.

Morning trivia

1.Patty Duke

2.endodontist

3.Romulus

4.Wavy Gravy

5.Ireland

6.going to bed

Afternoon trivia

1.Sting

2.coffee

3.without an orchestra

4.Antwerp

5.condor

The letter we received about the new itinerary