While it was sunny and warm today, it’s obvious without even looking at a map that we are on a southerly route. The air has lost its humidity and is no longer hot; instead we were probably in the mid-70s or so. But the wind has picked up considerably. Staff Captain Mario said tonight that the wind would shift and come from the north, blowing us right into Melbourne, and that may have already started. We are rolling (side to side movement) less this evening.
Breakfast and lunch were in the Horizon Court Buffet, and, in between them, we watched the movie Passengers on TV. That’s another case where we’ve seen the middle several times but never the beginning and ending. It was actually fairly good. And then, after lunch, we watched another movie, 2005’s The World’s Fastest Indian. This one was really excellent. It is based in the life of New Zealand’s Burt Munro, who first set a land speed record at Bonneville in 1962. Anthony Hopkins portrayed Munro and the movie is simultaneously funny and interesting and encouraging. It was produced in New Zealand, and I don’t know if it’s available in the US/Canada, but if it is, I recommend it.
We also went to Peter Donovan’s lecture on Australian history, and nearly all of the material was new to us. I am very happy that we’ve done these cruises this season; we have learned so much and that is a large part of the joy of travel for us.
The Captains Circle parties were held tonight. We were honored for our milestone cruise and also for being the second most traveled passengers. Captains Circle host Kelly did a lot to make it special for us. I think that 1000 days is the last milestone cruise that is recognized, but, regardless, it will likely be the last that we’ll ever achieve. We’ll always have fond memories of this cruise.
Scooter parking outside the Bernini Dining Room Still haven’t figured out this one. ;-)
After dinner (mussels, fruit, shrimp and sautéed spinach), we skipped vocalist Emma Kirk’s show and instead waited in the Explorers Lounge for 8pm TV Show Themes Trivia, the trivia for anti-intellectuals like us. We didn’t participate (we always refrain from trivias because we cruise so much), but did enjoy listening. And here’s the thing: every TV theme was from American show. Every. Single. One. And the Australians knew far more of them then we did. I’m convinced that Americans are the only ones on the planet who don’t realize how pervasive our culture is.
Two more sea days lay ahead of us, the longest stretch of sea days we’ll have this season. Most seasoned cruisers LOVE sea days, and after 1000 days, you’d think I’d have them figured out, too, but, as I’ve said before, I’m a slow learner. I’ll just have to keep working on it. ;-)