Highlights From Yesterday and Today
The beauty and the diversity of our planet
===================================
Yesterdays visit to Rarotonga is a reminder to us about the diversity of the world in which we live. In. This island is mainly about tourism and the natural beauty found on Rarotonga. The way of life for its inhabitants is quite a bit different than our own. One of our takeaways from yesterdays visit to the Takitumu Rainforest is the love by those who care of the private reserve have for the beauty and the conservation for 350+acres of land that comprise this beautiful reserve. The two gentlemen who escorted our group on the tour clearly had lots of provide for all that this conservation group has accomplished.
One item that we learned several years ago when traveling and going on tours is to be prepared and to also carefully read the information provided about the tour. Yesterday, preparation served us well. We brought with us a backpack, which Keith wore, the entire time and a Crystal Society Bag that Anne Marie carried with several items that we used on yesterday’s walk in the Rain Forest. We each had travel size raincoats that go down to around the knee, umbrellas, bottled water and plenty of insect repellant. The raincoats and the umbrellas really helped during the downpour and the insect repellant was key as there were lots of mosquitoes and fortunately we did not get bitten but some were not as fortunate as us. When we met for the tour Crystal always provides bottled water but we had brought some down from our room which we do each and every time we go on a tour or into port. Anne Marie also will bring other items whenever we go into port including Band-Aids, first aid cream and a few other related items just In case one of us falls.
We departed from Rarotonga at around 5:15 PM last evening and we are now sailing to our next port of call at Nuku’alofa, Tonga. We were on deck 5 at around 5:00 PM where we saw the final two tenders making their way to the ship. The sight was unbelievable as those tenders were getting close to the ship as the tenders were being jostled around.
Before dinner we enjoyed a drink at the Crystal Cove Lounge. We sat with a passenger, Charlotte, who was our next-door neighbor on the 2007 World Cruise and who we have sailed with on each of the World Cruise Voyages. We also sat with a couple from Atlanta who we met for the very first time. We listened to the Astoria String Quartet who plays beautiful music. Their music included several songs from West Side Story.
Last evening we dined at the Silk Road Japanese Specialty Restaurant with Bill and Sandra so we’ll just briefly mention the items on the Main Dining Room menu.
The entrees included Broiled Fillet of Fresh Pacific Salmon, Saltimbocca (Veal Scaloppini with Prosciutto), Whole Roasted Tom Turkey, and Braised Beef Short Ribs. Grilled Black Angus Fillet Steak and Broiled Sablefish Fillet were also available. There was a Tagliatelle Pasta Special and a Pepper Seared Swordfish salad entrée available as well.
There were several appetizers, soups and salads on the menu but we’ll skip right to the dessert.
The sweet finale desserts included “Pacific Magic” which is Pineapple Gazpacho, Coconut Ice Parfait and Roasted Pinenuts and a “Napoleon” with Pistachio Mille Feuille with Bittersweet Chocolate Sauce. The sugar-free items were a Chocolate Brownie a la Mode and a sugar-free Vanilla Pudding.
We had a wonderful time at Silk Road with Bill and Sandra. We first sailed with the two of them in 2007 and then again in 2008.
We were seated at a nice table for four by senior waiter Sigi and later on Specialty Restaurant Maitre d’ Antonio came by to check on us.
Our waiter for the evening was Alberto who is often our waiter when we dine at Silk Road. We kid around with him that he knows more about what we enjoy than we do. He can easily order the entire meal for us and we would be very happy with his selections.
He pre- ordered a few items for us. We began with a lettuce wrap, which included, Nobu Style black cod with miso, a crunchy noodle that is wrapped in a butter lettuce.
He also preordered a trio of Nobu style sashimi (two pieces of each), which included yellowtail Sashimi with jalapeño, white fish, nobu style and tuna tataki with ponzu sauce.
Both of these appetizers were truly delicious.
Each couple ordered their own sushi and sashimi. We ordered toro, fresh salmon, tuna, and scallop sashimi along with the house special role and the shrimp tempura roll.
We each had the Green Salad Nobu-Style, which was tossed with Matsuhisa Dressing. This was the first time we have ever had this salad and we enjoyed it very much. Normally, when we have salad at Silk Road we usually have the Mushroom Salad. This was a very nice salad, which we enjoyed a great deal.
For our entrée we each ordered Hot Soba Noodles and instead of tempura we added some steamed scallops. Keith also ordered a large side order of steamed vegetables.
For dessert, Anne Marie had some sherbet and her decaffeinated cappuccino coffee while Keith enjoyed a fruit plate and green tea.
The food was simply divine along with the wonderful service and we also enjoyed a lovely conversation.
We dined for almost two and one half hours.
The restaurant was quite busy as was Prego since embarkation was only the other day and last evening was a Formal Night and many people dined at the Main Dining Room.
As we left Silk Road we thanked not only Alberto and head waiter Sigi but we also said good evening to many of the other waiters who we have come to know so well over the years who know us by our names as well. This included Walter, Anthony and Sheila. We also said thank you and bowed to each of the four Sushi Chefs. They are all so very wonderful.
We slept quite well last evening and we have had another wonderful on the Crystal Serenity today. The seas were relatively calm from the moment we left Rarotonga, which was truly amazing given the swells off the island.
Today has been another very busy sea day. We never tire of the sea days, as there is so much to do on the ship. There are many more activities than time in the day to do them all. This is why we never get bored on the ship and we really appreciate all of the effort that goes into making sea days so special for all of the passengers.
Keith began another day in the Fitness Center and enjoyed is workout on the Elliptical Machine. He worked out on the Elliptical Machine for ninety plus minutes and then afterwards did stretching and he also lifted weights. For a portion of his workout no one else was there and mid-way through a few other people were working out. Keith kept up with the situation in Egypt by watching some of the 24-hour news programming. Fellow passenger Roy came by for a few minutes to talk with Keith.
Keith stopped by the Lido Café for some coffee where he spoke with Lido Deck Steward, Brian, and also with Lido Deck Steward Ray along with a couple of fellow passengers. At this time of the day on a sea day the Lido Deck Stewards are working diligently to get both sides of the breakfast buffet all set up for the guest. On sea days Early Bird Coffee is available at 5:30 AM Early Risers Continental Breakfast is available between 6:30 AM and 7:30 AM and the Breakfast Buffet is available from 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM. On port days everything begins thirty minutes earlier plus the Breakfast Buffet still remains open until 10:00 AM. Tastes also offers a late risers breakfast from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM and the Bistro has a Late Risers Continental Breakfast from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. On sea days the Main Dining Room also has breakfast from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM and on port days their hours begin at 7:30 AM and you can arrive as late as 9:00 AM. Of course, there is always room service.
By the time he got back to the room, Anne Marie was ready to walk on the Promenade Deck, which she did for over an hour.
At 8:00 AM there was a knock on our door and it was Alexander with our morning breakfast. We chatted with Alexander about our experience at the rainforest and our plans for today.
While we enjoyed breakfast we did watch the daily morning show which Cruise Director, Gary Hunter, and Crystal Society Hostess, Stacey Huston hosted. Gary mentioned that we were fortunate to be able to visit Rarotonga because from time to time the rough seas make it impossible to run the tenders between the ship and this island.
At 9:05 AM we attended Rap With The Rabbi. We had a very interesting discussion today with a lot of participation many of those who attended.
The day included three wonderful lectures. Bob Reif presented NFL: America’s Choice, which was all about the popularity of football in the USA and he talked about the upcoming super bowl which we will see at around 12:30 PM ship’s time on Monday, not Sunday as we will have already crossed the International Dateline. This was followed by a presentation by Kathy Reichs who presented Forensic Anthropology: From Crime Lab to Crime Novel. She wrote the books on Bones, which ultimately became the television series. In the afternoon, special interest lecturer Joel Zuckerman presented the Life and Time of Pete Dye – The world’s greatest living golf course architect.
At 12:00 Noon we attended Team Trivia.
In between all of these activities we did find time for lunch where we enjoyed a nice salad entrée.
In the afternoon, Keith played paddle tennis and Anne Marie took a very long walk on the Promenade Deck.
We didn’t attend it but at 4:00 PM there was a forth lecture given by Dr. David Sholiton whose topic was Understanding Retinal Disease. Instead, Keith will be taking the 4:00 PM Spin (indoor cycling) class.
We will be dining at the Main Dining Room. After dinner we will attend a special event for all passengers that is called Ship Ahoy Island. This is a Polynesian party with a lot of surprises.
The good news is that before we go to sleep this evening we will set the clock back one hour as we sail into yet another new time zone. It is always much easier to set the clock back one hour rather than having to forward the clock by one hour.
TODAY’S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY….
“Kindness is the language, which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” - Mark Twain
Keith and Anne Marie
No comments:
Post a Comment