May 16, 2016

May 16  At Sea along northern California to Oregon coasts

   

    A slight sway to the ship was detectable this morning as we prepared to climb to Deck 11 to walk before breakfast.  The temperature is 12 C, it is quite windy and there are tiny openings in the layer of cloud to allow a hint of sunshine.  The water in the Deck 10 pools was not sloshing over onto the surrounding deck, but the wind on the Deck 11 walking/running track was very strong.  It was with great effort that you turned around the corners or walked toward the front of the ship, as the wind was trying to push you in the other direction.  After battling the wind on Deck 11, we retreated to the glass enclosed Deck 10 to walk several more circuits in the cool air, before going to the Dining Room for breakfast. 

    At breakfast, we sat with a couple from Belgium, who are part of a group of 25.  The cloud cover disappeared during breakfast to reveal a lovely blue sky, but the wind was still strong.  At the captain’s 10 a.m. announcement, he stated that the wind speed was between 28 and 30 knots or about 40 to 45 km per hour.  The ship was 35 nautical miles west of the California coast and the waves were between 2.5 and 3 meters high.  Offered this morning was a lecture about the Whales, Dolphins and Sea Critters of the West Coast, a tour of the ships main kitchen, several trivia games, Xbox bowling, a table tennis tournament, a tutorial about Instagram, camera demonstration in the Photo Gallery, highlights of the remaining ports, jewellery presentations and an Art Auction.  We peeked in on a few events and walked on Deck 10 which was not quite as windy since the sides were enclosed, but not the top which is open to the sky.  There were only a few individuals in the hot tubs around the outdoor pool.  However, next door in the indoor pool and hot tubs, there were many people enjoying the pool and the warmer air lying back in the loungers either reading or napping.

    We had a fast lunch of an Asian Salad and went to the lecture about James Cook’s voyages and then walked some more logging 7.43 km or 10,645 steps by 2:30.  Activities for the afternoon were an adult colouring class, a seminar of the history of Fabergé, a lecture about the spa treatments available, a blackjack tournament, bingo and a line dancing class plus other events.  The sea seemed to have smaller waves but the wind was still quite strong and only a handful of people were venturing to Deck 11, but not staying there long.

   We danced to the music of Ocean Band, the ship’s dance band, then joined Sheila, Mildred, Hillary and Richard for dinner.  For dinner tonight we chose appetizers of smoked ham and pea soup, Quinoa Salad,  poached pear wrapped in phyllo with Gorgonzola cheese, Moroccan Spiced Lamb Kebob with brown rice and yogurt with peas, & corn and Beef Bourguignon with mashed potatoes, cooked pearl onions and carrots.  Desserts were pear cobbler and coffee custard.

    The Ocean Band was playing in the Rendez-vous Longe after dinner so we danced to a few songs. Then half an hour at the casino yielded a profit of seven dollars.  The entertainment tonight was a cast performance called “Boogie Wonderful” featuring songs from the 60s and 70s.

   The only stairs today were on staircases within the ship, going from Deck 3 to Deck 11 and shorter distances throughout the day. Total distance walked 9.49 km (5.8 miles).