Ship’s Log
Sunday, November 13, 2005
6:30 AM
3 50’ 50” N
133 37’ 42” W
Heading 210degrees
Speed: 17.5 Knots
Temp: 76.8 Partly Cloudy
Seas are slight.

We will soon cross the equator and of course every ship plans a social activity to mark this occasion. Our King Neptune’s Equator Crossing Ceremony will take place today at 3 PM, but that’s to come. Let me tell you about yesterday’s sea day.

I always start my morning with an email check. The computers are in the library just across from the Navigator Lounge, so I can have my first cup of coffee while I’m composing my emails. Luckily we do not have to use our precious Internet time but can instead just log into Word and write.

The Internet Rates for the Navigator rates are:
Hourly 1 Hour $6
Standard 5 Hours $25
Economy 10 Hours $40
Jumbo 20 Hours $75

You can bet I’m on the Jumbo plan, which turns out to be $3.75 an hour. Given the speed of our Internet connections sometimes that’s very expensive, but when you’re an Internet junkie you’ve GOT to have it!

After I finish my email I usually do a little deck walking – I used to count the number of laps, but now I just establish the amount of time I think it will take to walk off some of the wonderful food I ate the day before. Yesterday I circled for an hour, probably didn’t begin to make a dent! Of course the more you walk, the more likely you are to show up in the Navigator Lounge again for a cappuccino and a pastry!

Aside from the exercise we also had a chance to learn about Black Pearls, early navigation techniques, behinds the scenes stories of the Nixon White House, even a culinary cooking demonstration...all of this before noon!

It was a beautiful day so we chose to have lunch by the pool. Every day they present a different theme for lunch – today was Tex Mex – but if you’re not in a “taco” mood there’s always the grill selections: hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken or steak sandwiches. They even have a veggie burger if you’d like one.

Of course after lunch many go into nap mode, but there’s lot’s of other activities as well. On all long cruises with multiple sea days the Bridge sessions draw quite a crowd.

And, who doesn’t want to read a good book? Lecturer Robert Clark has organized RSSC’s GREAT EXPLORERS BOOK CLUB and we were invited to meet in the Navigator’s Lounge to receive a complimentary copy of BLUE LATITUDES by Tony Horwitz. This best selling book explores the sea routes of Captain Cook. As we find ourselves covering much the same ocean, it seems like an interesting read for those of us who are, as the author says “Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before! The book club plans to meet several times to discuss the book.

The rest of the day went by quickly, some reading, laundry, another stroll around the deck.

Last night we had a special celebration. Marsha invited us to join them for George’s birthday dinner. Their “Navigator” neighbors, Brian and Denise were joined the party. We met at Portofino at 7 PM. We started the evening with wine tasting and appetizers. Brian had sampled several choices the night before so he steered us directly to some excellent reds. We nibbled, sipped and chatted until it was time to go to our table.

Portofinos is really more than just a place for dinner. It’s a happening! The staff sings as they serve. By the end of the evening we’re all singing. It’s a little sappy, but lots of fun, you can’t really resist joining in. The menu is very nice and I stole a copy so I could share it with you.

ANTIPASTO
Tris di Antipasti
Mixed antipasti

PRIMI PIATTI
Risotto al Funghi Porcini
Freshly cooked risotto with Porcini mushrooms and cheese
Farfalle al Pomodoro Speck e Porri
Butterfly pasta with speck, fresh leeks and tomatoes
Tagliatelle Gamberi e Zucchine
Homemade pasta with sauteed prawns and zucchini
Insalata Mista all Acheto Balsamico
Mixed greens tossed with balsamic dressing and crisp potato julienne

SECONDI
Carre’ D’Angello alle Bacche di Ginepro
Oven roast lamb rack with cooked Junipers sauce

DOLCI
Coppa di Pere al Cioccolato con Zabaione
Cup of pears cooked in chocolate topped with Zabaglione

VINO
Gavi Minaia, Piedmont, Italy, 2003
Valpolicella Superiore, Italy 2002

To end the evening the staff presented George with a special birthday dessert and of course the entire restaurant did the “Happy Birthday” thing!

Well, I think it’s about time I stop typing and start walking. At least when I’m at the keyboard I’m not eating!

Doug...sorry I didn't see your question until this morning. I'll try to find out.