86 Countries and Still Counting: Sunday, February 11 - At Sea

I woke up at 6 a.m. to another beautiful day at sea today. Is it the third sea day? Second? Hard to keep track. Today is special, though, because it is Super Bowl Sunday!

My day started as it has typically lately, texting with friends at home. I've done a world cruise without WIFI and it was isolating, but in a good way. Very little screen time, except in port. And then, it required a payphone or internet cafe. My world became the ship.

Now, with Starlink, there's WIFI in the most remote places. We can argue the pros and cons of that another day. It cost a lot (over $600) for the two month segment I'm on. I got it so I could stay in touch, but mostly so my implanted heart monitor can send EKGs to my doctor at home, as needed. Since I have it, I enjoy using it. The WIFI, I mean. I prefer not to send the EKGs. I've done video calls with friends in Canada, the USA and Jordan. I can spy on my house-sitters with my new security cameras. Not to worry, they installed them so know I'm able to watch them. Frankly, it's way more fun to watch for whales and other sea life.

After catching up with friends, I hit the MDR for oatmeal with Jolanda. During the meal she asked why I was laughing. She couldn't see Toni blowing me kisses as he walked behind her. He's devilish and convinced me to have a blueberry muffin since it is Sunday. It was small and delicious.

After breakfast I walked outside on the Promenade deck. I've avoided that, for the most part, because I broke my leg walking on a Promenade deck and would prefer never to repeat that. Today after a couple of laps around, I stopped to join Mary on a bench. We'd never met before but quickly found out that I pass her neighborhood every time I go to the beach in Daytona. We also were on the same flights from Perth to Florida when the 2020 cruise ended. It really is a small world.

Then I headed back to my cabin where I had the perfect opportunity to scare the socks off my cabin steward Roni. But he is unflappable. The score is now me, 2. Roni, 478. I putzed around the cabin until the start of the Super Bowl. What a game! I was cheering for the 49'ers but was just happy it was a great game. Unfortunately, we saw just ESPN ads, not the cool Super Bowl ads.

There were two venues on board to watch the game. The big theater and the Gallery bar. Neither have windows so I opted to stay in my cabin, with a view of both the game and the sea. Seriously, it doesn't get any better.

But why, oh why are they making the normal 10 minutes of updates and announcements during the Super Bowl??? I guess they figured no one was watching in their cabins, although the guy who delivered my food said he was very busy. And that I was in the minority cheering for the 49'ers.

I walked off the loss on deck then hit the casino and won $1.76 on the slots. Doesn't sound like much but I'm cheap so only bet $.08 at a time. I wish all my investments paid so well.

Photos!

Room service and the Super Bowl with a view. It does not get any better. Truly. And I love the optimism. I ordered three apps - two shu mai and one Greek salad. They assumed it was for two people!

This is the longest I've ever had a balcony. I couldn't afford a balcony for the full world cruise. And, didn't want to be gone for four months. Two months with a private balcony has been one of the best experiences ever

They didn't have Greek dressing for the Greek salad. I had balsamic, which was delicious

I'm guessing these were from last night's dinner, just fried instead of steamed. Whatever, they were delicous pork shu mai. This is two orders on one plate