7/19/2024 (Friday) ( Daily Diary )
840 miles, and we will return to our starting point.
From behind the glass, it looks amazing, but open the window, and wham, the heat and humidity hit you like a ton of bricks.
We woke up bright and early, knowing that breakfast was scheduled for 8:00 am, and then Mary and Colleen had an appointment for "facials" at 10:00 am, whatever that entails. It means I have the delightful task of staying in bed, watching TV, and conducting important scientific observations of the world outside. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it!
The concierge called at 10:30 am and said he would rescue us and the kids from the boat, break us out of customer jail, and return us to our cabin ASAP. Yeah, we will finally be free on the ship, and we can finally do our laundry!
At 11:00 am, the captain announced a medical emergency on board. The ship would be speeding up to meet a Coast Guard helicopter to transport the patient to the nearest medical facility. Even a seemingly routine day at sea can quickly become eventful.
We bolted out of the cabin and bee-lined it to the piazza to rendezvous with the kids. Lo and behold, the towel folding contest was in full swing! It was downright mind-blowing to witness the towel-folding prowess of the crew. Who knew towels could be so entertaining!
840 miles, and we will return to our starting point. From behind the glass, it looks amazing, but open the window, and wham, the heat and humidity hit you like a ton of bricks.
We woke up bright and early, knowing that breakfast was scheduled for 8:00 am, and then Mary and Colleen had an appointment for "facials" at 10:00 am, whatever that entails. It means I have the delightful task of staying in bed, watching TV, and conducting important scientific observations of the world outside. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it!
The concierge called at 10:30 am and said he would rescue us and the kids from the boat, break us out of customer jail, and return us to our cabin ASAP. Yeah, we will finally be free on the ship, and we can finally do our laundry!
At 11:00 am, the captain announced a medical emergency on board. The ship would be speeding up to meet a Coast Guard helicopter to transport the patient to the nearest medical facility. Even a seemingly routine day at sea can quickly become eventful.
We bolted out of the cabin and bee-lined it to the piazza to rendezvous with the kids. Lo and behold, the towel folding contest was in full swing! It was downright mind-blowing to witness the towel-folding prowess of the crew. Who knew towels could be so entertaining!
The kids told us about the egg toss... We are glad we missed that!
Folding towels is a real area of fine art.
Folding the towels into weird and wonderful shapes may be a relatively modern habit. The precise origins are unknown, but most hospitality experts agree that elaborately folded towels originated on the Caribbean cruise ships during the 1980s.
The piazza is always busy!
Colleen got an eagle's eye view of the activity. She videoed the efforts so she could fold the towels for guests coming to her home.
Colleen got some good shots/
It's a bargain, the said so!
Two for the price of three!
Looking good!
Colleen found a deal!
We went to the "trough" for lunch, and it was surprisingly good. We scattered in different directions and returned with hilariously different meals. It was like we had all wandered into different countries instead of the same restaurant!
As we sat and munched, the Coast Guard helicopter flew by. The helo had a two-engine prop plane circling the ship. After three passes, the chopper picked up the patient and took off going northeast to Florida.
He circled the ship several times
The third and final pass/
We played hearts!
The card shark won, again!
Lunch was finished and Mary brought out the cards; time to pay! We did three rounds of Crazy-8's with me being the only one not winning. I had more cards in my hand at the end than was in the draw pile.
Nothing up his sleeve!
Tummies full and resembling beached whales, we reluctantly agreed to waddle over to the Capri at 6:00 pm. We waddled back to our cabin, hoping the alarm clock would be loud enough to wake us from our food coma and get us to dinner on time.
It's 6:00, and it is time to make the next serious decision.
Decisions decisions.
Mark assists Colleen with the choices.
Decision made!
A very happy girl!
Paul 'splains everything!
Oh dear!
She likes to see the dust come out the other side!
Having fun.
At the end of the dinner, the lights went out! Oh dear, what now? It was the traditional last night's Baked Alaska Parade.
The Baked Alaska parade is a centuries-old tradition on cruise ships. Waiters carry flaming trays of the dessert around the tables in the main dining room while guests wave their napkins. The parade is a chance for the chefs and staff to show off their skills and for diners to show their appreciation.
Baked Alaska is a dessert that consists of a sponge or pound cake base with an ice cream center and a topping of meringue. The dish got its name because you're baking something that is traditionally served cold. (Ice cream = Alaska in this metaphor.
Let the parade begin!
From the back to the front of the ship is 800 feet; our distance to travel tonight!
After dinner, we headed to the theater for the final show of this voyage. Our Irish performers did their thing, and the whole theater clapped their hands and stomped their feet.
One of the performers did "sand animation." The sand performer uses sand on a flat surface made of back-lit glass. Then, the sand is arranged to let the light, depth, shadow, and density pass through and create the picture. The animator captures images, which are arranged in a sequence and played at a suitable speed, creating the illusion of motion.
We walked by the piazza on the way to our cabin and folks we up and dancing.
The girls got into the dance; Mark and I got into the drinks!
The women observed the dancing and did some enthusiastic movements; the video was unsuitable for individuals under 18, so it will be kept under wraps until the censors decide.
I was getting dizzy looking at her!
We then went to the Vista Lounge and heard the comedian, who was hilarious! We darned near fell out of our chairs laughing.
From there, we went to the Schooner Bar, listened to music, and danced. We met some folks from England and danced with them. Our cavorting level was running at 98%!
We drank a bit before crashing!
"Hey guys, get a room!!"
The cameras were on all night. We will have stories to tell our kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.
We sat around until 12:30!
The entertainer even threw in a waltz for us!
Will these photos ever see the light of day??
Careful, a smile is forming!
Mary is on the move!
You go girl!
