Happy new year to all of you! May it be a healthy and prosperous one.

Third try to get this $@#!! system to post the reply. This new computer system onboard is still a work in process (is that diplomatic enough??)

Started through the canal at around 6:30 am in beautiful weather, which lasted the entire day. Finished around 8:30 through the Gatun Locks. Breakfast & get ready for the birding excursion. Probably the best of the bunch to take if you were so inclined. We enjoyed the rainforest walk and seeing animals, insects and even a few species of birds! After that, we decided to go swimming in Gatun Lake. It felt great. Then on to the barbeque, followed by watching one of the Panamanian dance groups and shopping from the Indian handicrafts. Back via the last tender.

After that we reported for trivia. Roz from Portland, Maine is our sixth team member. She's very capable but hasn't yet mastered the importance of writing answers down so you don't inadvertently give the team next to you an extra point. We went down by one yesterday; had we listened to Roz, we would have swept the event by one point. New year, new habits: Roz rules today.

After trivia, we relaxed on our balcony & watched the scenery as we approached Pedro Miguel locks. We were all calling out "Happy New Year" to the pilot & tugs that were preparing to take us through the locks. Probably the most time I've spent on a Radisson balcony on any cruise. We were concerned the canal trip wouldn't be as interesting; pleased to say it was just as delightful this time, too.

We joined Chetaun, Olivia, Debbie from Ngaire's office (she's the one in the picture you were asking about), Russ, Betty and Marty for a lovely dinner at our favorite table 22 in Compass Rose. We had a bird's eye view of going through the last of the locks, toasting all of the folks on the freighters who where crossing the other way. Fantastic! Chetaun had preordered grand marnier souffles for the table -- yumm! We were out of the Miraflores locks by the time we left dinner.

Headed up to the Observation Lounge & got in the New Year's spirit. The guitar player was keeping the group entertained. At 11:15, it was time to move to the pool deck with the ship's 5 piece orchestra. Free champagne everywhere, a great ice sculture, and streamers everywhere. We kept getting our necks wrapped up in the streamers while we were trying to dance.

This morning it was a sunny, warm day to enjoy breakfast in La Verandah. Dolphins and flying fish were jumping around behind the ship - a wonder to behold! Sun is very hot today. Our driver has just given us the words for the day and it looks to be a lazy one.

We're absconding with Ken tonight for dinner at Latitudes. They don't serve lamb so Ngaire will dine elsewhere.

Pam - I'll check on the Coke Zero. We've got Sprite Zero in our cabin bar. Cheers, Anne