We had set the alarm to go off at 6.30am as we hoped to catch the tropical sunrise, but when we awoke and looked out of our window, we saw the large red ball of the newly-risen sun, which gave our cabin a warm orange glow. We had missed the actual sunrise by 10 minutes.
However, we were awake, so we decided to get washed and dressed and do laps around the deck until we’d covered one nautical mile (13 laps). There were already some early-birds going around the track, but we set off at a decent pace and enjoyed the feel of the brisk sea breeze in our hair and on our face. There was still no sign of any flying fish or birds; maybe we needed to be closer to land. As it was, all we could see was miles and miles of blue Pacific ocean.
After we’d completed 14 laps (I decided 13 was unlucky!) we were ready for breakfast. We had to wait a while because the Windows Café didn’t open until 7.30am. We were surprised that the pool on board doesn’t open until eight o’clock; that seemed late for those who enjoy an early morning swim before breakfast.
As soon as the buffet opened we went in and bagsied a table. Then I enjoyed a breakfast of muesli with yogurt, followed by boiled eggs. I decided I would try to cut down on salt in an effort to reduce my swollen ankles and feet. I could see no other reason for them.
After breakfast, I took my laptop down to The Den to write up some of this blog. As we had another four sea days before reaching Easter Island, I needed to keep up with this blog otherwise all the days would seem to blend into one. Trevor accompanied me, and sat and read his Tractor and Machinery magazine, and we passed the time pleasantly in The Den with its muted background music.
We then decided to go and sit up on deck, but out of the sunshine. The cheeky little sea breeze made it seem cooler than it actually was, so it would have been all too easy to get a nasty sunburn.
An aerobics class was in progress on the canopied stage, with a couple of dozen people mirroring the actions of the two Lycra-clad instructors. At one point, the ship’s horn gave a loud and unexpected short blast, causing one of the instructors to jump out of her skin and miss a step, much to the amusement of several sunlounger-bound passengers. 🙂
As we’d had an early start, we were ready for our lunch at 12.00 noon, so we decided to go to the Poolside Grill for a change. Trevor ordered the Azamara Burger while I opted for nachos accompanied by buffalo wings. The wings were very spicy indeed, and it was all washed down with a freezing cold beer. While we were sitting there, we got talking to an American guy and his wife; he told us he had done 130 cruises!! Wow! This is our 72nd cruise and we thought we were doing well, but we were mere amateurs compared to him. He did say he was a travel agent, however.
After lunch we adjourned to the pool bar and indulged in one of their mediocre free cocktails. Trevor asked for a Caribbean Sunset, expecting his drink to be orange and red, but when it arrived it was bright blue; it obviously contained Blue Curaçao. Maybe that was the ‘Caribbean’ element?
I ordered a drink called “Greyhound” which came in a tall glass with ice; I managed to identify its contents as vodka and grapefruit juice.
After partaking of a second drink each, we returned to 6030 for our afternoon power nap. Afterwards, we looked at the Insider programme and saw that there was “Win A Cruise” bingo taking place at three o’clock. What – you can actually win a cruise? We were up for that!
We went along to the Cabaret Lounge and joined the queue to purchase the tickets. We had had a free ticket placed in our cabin which was only valid with the purchase of at least another ticket. Each ticket contained three ‘boards’ of 25 numbers, in columns headed with the letters BINGO. So when a number was called, it would be something like “B20” or “G35”. Sometimes the same number would appear on more than one card.
The prizes today were a 7-night cruise if you had a full house in 52 balls or less (25 numbers out of 52 would be quite a feat). If no-one called ‘bingo’ after the 52nd ball, then the prize for the full house would be $1000 off your next cruise booking. So two excellent prizes all round.
The room was silent as everyone concentrated on marking off their numbers. No-one had a full house by the time the 52nd ball was out, so the game continued. After a few more balls, all Trevor needed was number 75. However, the next number out was 11, and someone called house! So we’d missed out on the $1000 by one number. 🙁
After the bingo, it was time to head up to the Living Room where the music trivia today featured the music of Queen. You only had to name the title of the song, because they were all by the same artiste. We got 15/20, but the winners must have been die-hard Queen fans, because they scored full marks.
It was after 5.00pm when we returned to 6030 and just spent some time relaxing, reading or watching TV (the BBC news is always so depressing!). I had a splitting headache so I took two paracetamol and lay down, waiting for the pain to go away.
By 6.00pm I felt slightly better, so we got washed and changed and decided to go to the Windows Café, where there was a Mexican themed night on. I therefore enjoyed some beef fajita and some quesadillas, washed down with chilled water and a cold ginger ale. My headache was still lingering and I felt very fatigued; there wasn’t really much on tonight that I wanted to do.
I just returned to 6030 to read Mutiny on the Bounty and take it easy for the rest of the evening. Perhaps a full 8 hours good quality sleep would sort me out.
Trevor went off to see the cabaret at nine o’clock; apparently it had been an excellent female magician and comedian.
Once he returned around 10.30pm, we set the alarm for 6.30am again as we had enjoyed our early morning “mile with a smile”, and hopefully I would be feeling bright-eyed and bushy-tailed once more in the morning.