Thursday, February 6^th

At Sea

When I went out on the balcony I thought yuk, it’s hot, humid, overcast and windy. A kind of Commodore Club day.

Ruth went out there and returned declaring it the perfect day for sitting by the pool. I guess that’s why I like her so much – great positive attitude!

The internet is down again. No explanation this time.

Deirdre meets with her group at 11:00 every sea day in the Chart Room. I thought I should go along and see how people felt about the tour yesterday. Also I had found a pair of socks someone had left behind on the bus, and I assumed the owner would be by to collect them.

When I got there Deirdre pointed out that I had left the “Virtuoso Voyages” sign on the bus. Of all of the things I could have left behind, I suppose that was the least essential, and most easily remedied.

I went back to our cabin and made a new sign, and then to the internet center to get it printed up.

Captain Hashmi came by when we were seated in the Chart Room, and I asked him why we were late leaving Colombo. Apparently it was related to the Sri Lankan immigration authorities who had not signed some paperwork that we need in order to go to Phuket. They stopped work at 6:00 PM, so he had a lot of trouble getting someone to come to the ship. Finally it was all sorted out by 11:30. He said that the immigration official told him the he should not complain because the Sri Lankans had learned beaurocracy from the British, and he went on to say that the Sri Lankans has perfected it.

After choir practice I went to the wine tasting. As usual it was 2 whites and 2 reds. The first white was actually very good, reasonably priced, and available on the ship. It’s a Portuguese wine, Mas Oliveras. The other white was OK, but the man standing next to me said it had the aroma of feline urine (well not in those exact words) which was unfortunately accurate. I don’t drink red wine, but I like to listen to the discussions about the reds. The same man requested that I get a glass anyway so he could have 2, and I was happy to oblige. The second red was a Washington wine, so I felt proud that an almost local wine was included. Everyone really enjoyed it. It was one of the better wine tastings, and the bread and cheese they serve with it are always very good.

As I had already forgotten the name of the 1^st white which I had enjoyed, I went back to get a photo of it to show to our wine steward. The next group of tasters was about to embark on their round of wine tasting. I took the photo, and was handed another glass. Oh well, I might as well go around again with them.

Tonight was my favorite Gala Evening, the roaring 20s. I used to have a feather boa which made me sneeze and left a trail of black feathers behind me. Now sparkles are one thing, but little black feathers are another. The cleaning staff must hate this gala evening. I am not the only one shedding feathers – there are always little feathers all over the ship. Anyway, I decided to solve my own personal boa issue a few years ago with the purchase of a black synthetic boa on Amazon. Well, it works wonderfully and completes the outfit. And no feathers to litter the ship.

Although my attempts to look like Lady Mary always fail, it is fun to wear my fringed dress, except the fringes do catch on everything.

Ruth had bought a new dress for the occasion and looked smashing in it. I have abandoned the feather in my hair thing, but Ruth purchased one for tonight. We couldn’t work out how she should wear it. Mostly it gave her the Pocahontas look rather than the desired effect. Finally we worked it out, and off we set to find someone to take a photo of us. We have abandoned selfies; we just can’t get them right.

Everyone we saw was dressed appropriately for a gala night, and many had adopted the Roaring 20s theme, including a couple with inflatable Tommy guns.

Dinner was yet again excellent – I do love the food on formal nights.

We decided to head to the Queens Room and watch for a while. Although one of the gentlemen hosts, who recognized me from a previous voyage, came to sit with us, alas no one asked me to dance. My reputation no doubt is going before me. It was starting to remind me of high school dances where the boys were quite happy to come by and chat me up, but not brave enough to take me on the dance floor.

Ruth and I discussed this later. Dance lessons have to be in our futures.