First picture is from dinner at Silk Road with Ambassador Peck and his wife.
The second picture is of us in the Crystal Cove before dinner on the evening we left Honolulu.
Third picture from another informal evening on board the ship.
We really enjoyed last evening. We sat at the Crystal Society Reception with Ambassador Peck his wife and the Rabbi and his wife. If we remember correctly both the Rabbi and the Ambassador will both be participants in the Liar’s Club this time around with the comedian. It is always enjoyable to talk with all of them.
Afterwards, we both enjoyed another wonderful dinner at Silk Road. In all our times at Silk Road on the Crystal Serenity we had never sat at the Sushi Bar and here were sitting at the Sushi Bar for the very first time and also in our formal attire to boot. We really enjoyed the experience. We are always amazed with the Sushi but to see the chefs prepare each piece with the care and artistry that goes into it was amazing. Keith went with their recommendations in terms of the sashimi and added in a few choices on his own. Anne Marie went with the rolls. There was one passenger next to us who made a few recommendations as well.
Now, probably a first at the Sushi Bar. While Keith is using chopsticks as he always does throughout the meal, Anne Marie asks for a fork and knife. Keith always kids with her that if she can thread a needle or do so many of the other things she does, then she can use chopsticks. Aside from being concerned she will drop some of the food she does prefer to cut the items into smaller pieces. However, once in a while Keith is successful in encouraging her to ask for the chopsticks with training wheels. So, after a couple of minutes of laughing about the fork and knife she did agree to use the training wheels. ☺ And, she did very well. Maybe, one day she will master them so she can stop using the training wheels. ☺
After enjoying some sushi we enjoyed the rest of the meal at a table and it was wonderful as it always is. The restaurant was actually a little busier than it was on the last formal night but still relatively quiet.
Today marks our seventh consecutive day at sea. This is the longest stretch of sea days we have enjoyed since we began cruising and there are several more days to go.
We set the clocks back another hour last evening so it continues to be a piece of cake to wake up early in the morning. Keith enjoyed a wonderful workout in the Fitness Center and, yes, he was the first person to arrive. But, before he left, two other passengers were working out. Yesterday, they added several more news and sport stations so there was a lot of programs to choose from today. Keith learned that the even the wedding industry is being significantly impacted by the recession with overall average spending considerably lower than in the recent past.
Keith went to the Lido Café to bring back coffee to the room and there were also just a couple of passenger’s there. Since it was Sunday morning, we think more passengers chose to sleep-in this morning.
We enjoyed another nice breakfast in our room. Following breakfast we took a nice long walk on the Promenade Deck. The weather was quite nice and the seas have been relatively calm.
Today was yet another day with so many activities to choose from.
One of the highlights of the day was the talk given by Michele Lee whose title for her presentation was “Behind the Scenes – Broadway Film Stars and Stories. Her presentation was wonderful. She showed us lots of pictures and told so many nice stories about the various actors and actresses she worked with over they years. She also shared an film showing several outtakes from Knot’s Landing.
Today, there was also a Sunday Jazz Brunch Buffet. On selected cruises of longer lengths in addition to the Grand Gala Buffet there is also the Sunday Jazz Brunch Buffet. This includes a wonderful assortment of brunch items as well as complimentary Mimosas. Adding to the festive atmosphere is live Jazz music by the Crystal Galaxy Orchestra. We stopped by today’s buffet to admire all of the wonderfully prepared items and then ate lunch in the Lido Café.
Additional presentations were also offered throughout the day. This included one on Acupuncture and how it can be used to manage arthritis pain. There was a presentation given on Estate Planning and one on on the Ancient Jewel of the North.
On many afternoons, Keith has spent time with a few fellow passengers who I have talked with on a regular basis since the start of the cruise. One of the passenger’s I know from last year on the Serenity and the others I had not met before. We are all from different places including a couple of us from different parts of the USA, one person from Australia, another person from the United Kingdom and yet another person from Asia. It’s been interesting to share perspectives on a variety of subjects and issues and to hear how each of us thinks on a particular subject. There are similarities and of course differences on subjects. What’s also been nice is that each of us can express views on various issues and subjects even at times having views that are in direct contradiction from each others. Yet, at the same time we have done this in a respectful manner. By closely listening to one another and hearing what the other has to say in some cases ones thoughts on a particular subject may actually change. If not, at least each of us has come away with a better understanding of how others might see a particular issue and to understand there is normally more than one way to approach a particular item. This is one of the nice aspects of travel that we have enjoyed over the years.
This evening we dined in the Main Dining Room with the Rabbi and his lovely wife. We have enjoyed many nice dinners with them on several Crystal cruises and we cherish our friendship with them. We had made arrangements with the Headwaiter and ordered Dover Sole as the entrée for the four of us and it was delicious.
Keith & Anne Marie
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