Currently, sunrise is about 6:30am and sunset 6:30pm! That meant a good night’s sleep but we awoke to a fair bit of rain, some of which seemed to be leaking into the buffet up on deck 14, so in several areas, mopping up operations were in progress. There are times when this ship shows its age. This was one of them.
Paula and I left the buffet straight after breakfast and as I’d forgotten to take a coffee bag (buffet coffee is not for the faint hearted – or real coffee lovers) we headed down to deck 5 for a proper coffee. We still have a fair few coffee cards, each of which has a credit of 15 coffees, so no big deal.
After yet another failed trivia, we returned to the atrium with Darryl & Sue, but I stuck to water.
Dance class today was the Viennese Waltz but we didn’t participate, but did watch. Not the easiest of things to learn in a cramped space. We enjoyed watching some of the, how shall we put it, less able participants, but at least they are giving it a go and good on them for that.
Once again, I was (fairly) strong and limited lunch to red snapper and a chowder – oh, and a small piece of lemon cake.
Paula had a hair appointment booked for 3:30 so I headed to the Wheelhouse Bar for a beginners ukulele lesson, run by Alex. First thing I learned was that the ship has a small supply of instruments and Alex tuned them all before handing them out to those who didn’t have their own.
The second thing we learned was the correct pronunciation. Ookalele, not yukalele.
As I still only have one working hand, initially I just watched, but then changed my mind and grabbed one of the last loan instruments.
A great first lesson and although I can’t do some of the chord changes as the fingers just don’t operate, I could at least play along with the chords I could play! Amazing how many people turned up though and although a couple found it beyond them, most seemed to manage. Good fun. Alex is a real star.
Paula was still having her hair done at afternoon trivia time, as was Sue. Darryl forgot so just Mike, the other Sue and myself. We got a couple of questions wrong that we are ashamed to admit to, so naturally, we didn’t win.
Formal night (again) and we headed for the atrium deck 7 before dinner as the Tritones (a duo…) were playing and the dancers turned out in force, as did many pre-dinner passengers who packed all seats.
The undoubted stars were Graham and Linda whose Rock and Roll developed into an exhibition, as everyone let them have the whole floor. Brilliant. The keyboard player (who is also excellent) added a couple of extra choruses so they were pretty well stuffed as they left the floor to a well-deserved round of applause.
Although it was lobster night, I know now to have it as a second course as it is too small for a main.
To the theatre – somewhat hesitantly I might add for “Two on Tap”. Yes, a couple of tap dancers. However, this was a most professional show and one of the best we have seen and their musical arrangements certainly had Sarah and the boys on their toes, with several pauses for the tap dancing. I’m giving them a 9/10 for their performance. The male half chose the wrong song for his voice for his singing solo (You’ll Never Walk Alone) but that would be my only criticism. Great arrangements, good introductions and a very pleasant duo – who are good friends, not romantic partners.
On leaving the theatre at 10:30pm, we of course, walked back via the atrium. One pianist (singing), just two people across the far side having a drink, four bar staff… What a contrast to earlier in the evening (or 2011/12).
Port day tomorrow – Manta in Ecuador, home of Panama hats and a Princess half day tour for us. About 180 leave the ship for their 2 or 3 day tours to Machu Picchu.
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