Friday, October 23 - At Sea

 Well, we're getting closer to Florida.  Just one more day at sea before we arrive in Miami on Sunday.  To ease my sadness at the trip coming to an end, I've decided to eat and drink everything not nailed down on the ship.  Because, apparently, part of my brain doesn't believe they have ice cream or pizza in Florida.

It was a great day - an early walk, balcony time, some fresh fruit outdoors while I chatted with an interesting lady.  We talked for about an hour.  About places we've visited.  About losing family.  About the emotional challenge of getting rid of old stuff that has sentimental value.  I love encounters like this where two strangers dive past the small talk and really connect, for at least an hour.

Photos!

Last night the ship was decorated for Scarlet Night.  This morning, everything was back to normal by 6 a.m.

I'm trying to burn through my bar tab so started my morning with this expensive 4 oz of juice.

It's the orange one - it was delicious.

Decorations were gone and there were very few people out and about so early.  The music from the pool was so loud I could hear it clearly in my cabin which is far from the pool where the party was.

The giant map was off-line.  I'm hoping the bridge has a different system.

Sunrise on the balcony.  

With my decaf and juice.

The sky put on quite a show.

I left the balcony long enough to get a pizza.  Mr. Kindle and I were both happy.

Love this view.

Obligatory selfie.

Bummer for the sun lovers but I love a nice, gray rainy day.

I had this tasty mocktail at dinner with Nancy 1/Bill and Rayann and Jack at Lucky Lotus.  Conversation and food were both great.

Once again I started eating before the photo.  Tasty shrimp and walnuts.

And, the spicy/sweet ribs I had on another visit.

And, the lettuce wrap, which was "meh".  All three dishes were appetizers.

OMG - the special dessert of the night was a toffee pecan bar with ice cream.  It had caramel and chocolate and was incredibly rich and delicious.

Jack and I got this ricotta Rangoon dessert.  Meh.

I snapped this photo on my way out.  The back plate is the branzino special - a whole fish with the head propped up and the tail in the air.  Impressive presentation.

I walked a bit after dinner.  This mural was black and white when the cruise started.  Passengers colored it in.

I'm guessing they either live in Orlando or thought it was a Disney cruise.