DAY 30---AT SEA IN SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN

 

        Here is our position at noon today.  We are passing the Cook Islands enroute to American Samoa.  It is 84 degrees today with mostly sunny skies.  We gained another hour of sleep last night so now we are 5 hours earlier than Central time.  Noon here is 5pm in Dallas for example.

COOK ISLANDS

        It is a self governing island country in the South Pacific.  It is comprised of 15 volcanic activity formed islands spread over 850,000 square miles with ties to New Zealand.  10,000 of the 15,000 Cook Islanders live on the larger island of Rarotonga.  Most Cook Islanders are citizens of New Zealand but they also have the status of Cook Island nationals.  English is the official language.  Tourism is the main industry.  In addition, offshore banking, pearls, and fruit exports add to their economy.  Most of the population is Christian.  There are 11 airports in the Cook Islands but the only paved runway is on Rarotonga, which is the international airport.

LAST EVENING

Departing Bora Bora and passing the coral reef that surrounds the island.

I tried a new appetizer.  This is a steamed Polynesian seafood dumpling.  I did not like it.                       

Rebecca had the 'szechuan beef stir fry and I had a roasted half chicken.  This is my apple tart.  NO ice

ice cream however.

 

                                                    We enjoyed Bruce Hammond's show.

TODAY

        It's another caviar/champagne Sunday.  Joseph gave me another extra large serving.

Instead of eggs Benedict I had this western omelet with cheddar cheese and some sausage.  Rebecca had her room service scrambled eggs.

        After I returned from breakfast we headed out to do our treadmill hour.  After that I got cleaned up and Rebecca is finishing catching up on her Young and Restless soaps.  Initially, I had trouble getting my phone logged on the internet but our phones and my laptop are now getting the internet  Knock on wood!!  We received a letter last night saying that due to the ship's internet issues, each suite with world cruisers will receive a $300 ship board credit for the inconvenience.  I had just mentioned we should receive something and it happened.  Hopefully the internet will be fixed in 6 or 7 days.

        We have three lecturers on this segment of the WC.  Terry Bishop is still with us, thankfully.  Benedict Brain, a UK based photographer and artist will be giving lectures on photography.  And Kay Taylor will be giving lectures on the South Pacific.  As usual I will not attend the lectures but will watch the taped replay of them on our tv later.

        They are not showing the NFL Pro Bowl today.  We we're planning to watch it anyway as this year it is just "flag" football.  What a waste.  They will be showing the Super Bowl next Sunday.  They will show it in the theater as well as our suite tvs.  Not sure what time it will air where we are in the world.  This coming Friday we will be crossing the International Date Line.

        Lunch up in La Veranda with this carrot-potato soup.  Very hot and good.  Probably my favorite.  I also had a couple small slices of pizza.  I told Donald, Sette Mari maitre'd during the evenings, that we would be joining him this evening.  He said, "just one veal parmesan?".  He was shocked when I told him I was having the filet.

        During lunch I ran into Ivan, our new staff Captain.  He was the staff Captain on last year's WC and he just came back in Papeete after 2 1/2 months of vacation.  I was amazed when he called me by name after that long.

        At 5:30 this evening we will be attending the interdenominational church service conducted again by Paul, our cruise director, which will meet in the card room.  It usually only lasts 15 to 20 minutes.

        At 6:00 the ship will be having another shipwide block party.  We will go out in the hallway with our glasses and be served wine and canapes by our suite attendants.  Good way to meet and visit with our neighbors.

        At 6:30 we will head up to Sette Mari for dinner.  Tonight I want to try the gorgonzola crusted beef tenderloin.  Rebecca will have the penne bolognese.

        Phil Tag, a comedian, will be in the theater for his first show at 9:30.  He was on last year's WC also.  Doubt we shall be attending.