On Tuesday, Jan. 15 Garin Bader performed. He is a master magician as well as a master of the piano. He's a world-class virtuoso pianist and has played for audiences from Carnegie Hall to the London Palladium. He and his wife, an assistant, really wowed the audience and we can't wait to see them perform again in the next several days.

Yesterday was really the day to put on the feedbag and enjoy some super grub.

The buffet was Indian style with lots of curry in meat, chicken and fish and it was to die for. Also enjoyed the Indian breads.

Last night was dinner with two other couples in Signatures and that meal was nothing short of outstanding. I had frog legs and halibut and whatever else was in front of me.

Prior to entering Signatures last night,we ran into a couple we had previously befriended and learned it was his birthday. Now I have a terrible singing voice that I cherish and the other chap that was in our dinner party is also blessed with a terrible singing voice so the six of us gave the birthday boy a rousing birthday song prior to dinner. Then of course later in the evening, the celebant and his wife were seated nearby and we saw that he received a birthday cake. Out came another robust song and you could see him cringing and laughing at the same time. He then erred by asking the waiter to divvy up the birthday cake with our table where once again we bellowed out another song. This couple has a wonderful sense of humor and we all enjoyed the good natured teasing. (I'm not so sure what the other diners in Signatures thought about this carryon but I'm sure they were jealous of all the fun :>)

Oddly enough, but true, I had a music teacher who asked me not to sing at our 8th grade graduation (said to just mouth it) and the chap in our dinner party was told not to sing at his graduation as well. We were both very proud of ourselves but our wives did not share our pride and somewhat distanced themselves from us during the serenading. Imagine!?

A WC'er informant told me this morning that we're going to rub up to the PG and will be able to board her when we reach Bora Bora. It will be nice since we haven't been on her since March of 2003. I hope our unnamed informant is right about this.


Tonight Penny and I have been invited to have dinner with the Food & Beverage Manager of the ship, Laurens Hazelebach. We're looking forward to meeting him as we have heard good things about him. (Cripes, don't tell him I called his meals grub)

Our buffet today was an American BBQ. Good stuff, ribs, turkey, hotdogs, etc.

Following lunch today we crossed the Equator and King Neptune and his court did their time-honored seafaring tradition of anointing All Polywogs...those who have not crossed the Equator by sea) . Penny and I are called Shellbacks as we previously crossed the Equator on Celebrity when doing South America sometime back. Anyway, they dump all kinds of gook on the unsuspecting and razz them (singers and dancers, primarily) by a baptismal, propitiation or initiation ceremony. I copied part of this so don't ask me what propitiation means...shoot ask Freddie he'll know.

Am just listening to the cruise director on the tv and he's telling us about some neat things that we'll experience once we arrive in French Polynesia. However, I'm tired of typing so you'll have to wait to hear about that.

Later.

Cheers! Ray & Penny

Ray,
Really enjoying all your reports! AND I can tell you 2 are having a great time! Thanks!

Thanks for the update, Ray!! I could have totally demolished that Indian lunch buffet ... :D

Masaki

Keeping my fingers and toes crossed in hopes that your informant is correct about boarding the PG again. What a thrill that will be. Give the ship a once over for me.....I remember how much fun we all had together on her.
Pat

I agree with my other half, we would have demolished that buffet as good Indian food is hard to come by in HI. Imagining you and your dinner mate singing cracked me up! I can't believe both your teachers told you not to sing!

Curry? sign me up. I love the lamb curry on Regent.

Glad to hear you're enjoying French Polynesia. We're waiting on motu stories ..

Cheers, Anne

Anne- we must be opposites. Cold over hot for me anyday. The heat actually caused me to cancel the Black Sea lct cruise this summer. Just too hot. And a fall cruise was not in the cards this year.