DAY 104---SAILING IN THE INDIAN OCEAN

 

        Our position at noon today.  We are passing by the Yemeni island of Socotra  There are 4 islands in this archipelago with a total population of 60,000.  It is known to have species of plants and animals found nowhere else on earth.  It is mostly sunny and 85 degrees with smooth seas today.

        This umbrella shaped tree is the "Dragon Blood Tree".  Ancient people named it that because its sap is red and was thought to be the blood of a dragon.  It is only found on this island.

BACKGROUND INFO

        Today we are sailing in the Indian Ocean at least 200 miles off the coast of Yemen and Somalia.  When we were sailing around Africa on our 2010 world cruise we had to deviate well away from the Somalia coast as there were a lot of attempted and successful Somalia pirate hijackings back then.  In fact our itinerary was changed to head down to Mauritius from the Maldives then Seychelles.  We steered well clear of the Middle East countries and Somalia.  They put dummies of men manning fire hoses on both sides lower deck of the ship so any pirates might think twice about attacking our ship.  We also had "pirate drills" in case of an attack.  All passengers were to leave their suites and sit on the floor in the hallways.  There was a special code word over the PA if attacked or threatened to be attacked.  Of course, we had no problems.

LAST EVENING

                          Interesting and beautiful bloom on flowers on the Mariner bar.

        I had posted this photo of Oksana a few days ago.  Last night we were the only ones in the lounge for quite a while so we had a very nice conversation with her.  Oksana is from the Ukraine.  In fact she is from east Ukraine where most of the fighting is occurring.  She said her family has moved to a safer place and she tries to call them every day but could not get them the day we talked to her.  She was very disheartened saying they can't get the "true story" from their news agencies.  SOUND FAMILAR!!  She was very passionate about wanting change.  Loved our chat with her.  Pray for better times soon in Ukraine.

        Sedric brought me four ribeyes to the table to pick from.  This is the one I selected and about to "doctor" with lemon pepper on both sides before they cooked it.

Our usual corner table in Prime 7

                 Sommelier Melissa presenting my favorite red wine.  California merlot.

                                                   Very good clam chowder to start with.

                                                  We both had the very good crab cakes.

        My perfectly cooked (medium rare) ribeye with a baked potato.  Rebecca had the 6oz filet.

No popcorn sundae or 13 layer chocolate cake tonight.  I had this red velvet cheese cake.  Love it.

           

We were at our usual front row left seats for Alan Kavanagh's show, unfortunately.  As he was from Ireland it was all songs from there.  Would have left had we been in the back.

TODAY

        Rebecca's side is still VERY sore.  I know it must me because she said she was not going to do the treadmill for a few days.  Knowing her it must be sore and not getting better.  Doing Motrin today also.

I did my time on the treadmill.  Surprisingly, not many using the fitness center.

         As you can see we are having another day of smooth sailing.  We have been blessed for the most part to have had smooth seas during our world cruise.

        This afternoon I watched this morning's taping of Terry Bishop's lecture dealing with the British's history of controlling in Sudan and all the fighting that took place there in the mid to late 1800's.  Even now today after Sudan gained its independence there is fighting for control by Sudan's two military groups.

        I then watched Jim Clement's lecture about how the early Vikings navigated.  No GPS of course back then and even no magnetic compasses.

        We have decided to again have our cocktail hour in the suite and have ordered canapes to be delivered by room service at 5:30.

        We shall be dining in Compass Rose this evening.  Tonight's 9:30 show in the theater is featuring Ollie Mulkeen's second and last show.  You may recall he is a singer.trumpeter.  We plan to attend but will sit up in balcony not on front row.