Monday January 8 at Sea

 Exciting news! I got my Brazilian e-visa today! The one that I no longer need for this trip. But I'm covered for the next five years. 

My view when I woke up this morning. 

Breakfast in the dining room

Special pillow chocolate from our first formal night

Lunch was appetizers. This is pork and mango

One of my favorite dishes yet. A watermelon caprese salad

Also delicious, a squash and apple soup. Yes, I had 3 appetizers. I'm on a cruise!

Dinner started with this amazing beetroot cured salmon

A perfectly cooked beef tender with creamed leeks and bacon. I have no idea what cut of beef a tender is but I could cut it with a fork

The chef stopped by our table to say hello while I was enjoying this delicious Opera cake. The taste and smooth, crispy texture was perfection

I love coming back to this at night

When I'm not eating I'm usually either on my balcony or walking

Sunday January 6th Scarborough Tobago

 I've been to Trinidad but this was my first time in Tobago.  Scattered showers turned into a lovely 80/27 day. Thanks to Akini for the excellent tour.

A few thoughts...

• Everyone I encountered was friendly and helpful. Sure, I expect that from the guys trying to sell tours but it was also true of the guy in the market who told me about all the root vegetables he was selling even though he knew I was looking and not buying
• As passengers started disembarking they announced that no camouflage clothing is allowed in the country 
• Because it is Sunday most restaurants were closed.  Akini started to take us to a large restaurant that was open but when we saw the tour busses we passed
• I paid $6 USD for a bottle of Angostura bitters. Excellent in club soda 
• Standard rate for a private tour is $30 USD. could I have bargained harder? Yes but it was still a great value 
• Currently, my Fitbit says it is 3:08. My phone says 4:08. My Chrome book says 2:08. I have no actual clue what time it is.  And don't care

Hard to believe Akini is in his 40s

Saturday January 6, 2024

 I'm feeling very lazy so slept in, skipped the dining room and ordered room service.  I ordered breakfast at 8:40 a.m. it was delivered at 8:52.  Breakfast with a view. Could it get any better? 

Room service is available 24/7 with no upcharge. They sent two cups and sets of silverware. Bless their hearts for being so optimistic about my love life.

Breakfast was fast and hot. So many inappropriate jokes spring to mind. 

I'm saving the OJ for later. I like to mix it with club soda.  I like the little jar.

Since I'm talking about food, here's dinner last night. Jolanda ordered two appetizers and dumped them on the same plate. Caesar salad and Thai beef with pickled papaya. She raved about the beef.

I knew better but ordered the Chile relleno. Not awful but I'll skip Mexican food on-board. Asian and Indian is excellent but they still haven't quite figured out the Mexican food, IMHO. Then again, neither has anybody in Florida.  I'm from Tucson Arizona and have high expectations. 

A bit windy on the balcony for breakfast but the view does not suck. 80/27 at 9a.m. I figure it's about a 2 on the Beaufort scale. I learned about the Beaufort wind scale at a lecture on the Amsterdam in Antarctica on the ill-fated 2020 world cruise.  Of all the things I've learned in life I'm not sure why I'm so intrigued with the damn Beaufort scale. 

I've been a bit under the weather so stayed in my cabin today. My room service dinner was a Cobb salad and chocolate cake 

They only serve this cake in room service. It is the best cake they have, I think

Sunset and Buddy

Another beautiful sunset view from my balcony.  I miss my furry Buddy but found this on my coffee table. 

Friday, January 5 2024

A Buddy hair. I miss my boy but hear he's enjoying 3 walks a day and is happily sharing a bed with his sitter. 

 

Stuff

 Ever heard George Carlin talk about "stuff"? Hilarious but too true when packing to be on a cruise for two months. 

Like most Americans I'm too attached to my stuff. I had a moment last week while fixing dinner. I was holding my favorite spatula and thinking how I'd miss it.  Don't sneer. If you are over 50 I bet you have a favorite utensil. And isn't it odd how one burner is so superior to the others? But I digress.

I packed two suitcases for two months. Here are a few things beyond clothes that had to make the trip. 

My ili (fan) from Samoa. Perfect for

warm days on the balcony 

The crew is impressed with my door stop. Thanks for the tip, Heidi 

So many chargers! At least this one handles multiple gadgets 

Moonlight and this LED candle create quite the romantic evening mood. No romance happening but lovely. And, hope springs eternal 

A must have.  Don't tell, but I also steal one of the big insulated coffee pots from room service to use throughout the cruise. 

This portable speaker is a game changer. I'm currently listening to the classical channel on Amazon Music. Thanks to my cousin Nora!