We updated yesterday’s blog with a couple of additional pictures from our yesterday’s very special day.
We enjoyed getting another hour of sleep last evening as we sailed into another new time zone on our way to Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. The seas were calmer than what we expected so we were pleased with that. ☺
Today we enjoyed another full day at sea. We also had much calmer seas than we had expected.
We awoke early and began our day in the Fitness Center. Keith worked out on the elliptical machine and spoke with Mary during most of his workout and Anne Marie worked out on the treadmill. Keith also spoke with John for a little while. It was a little more crowded than it has been given the time zone change but there were still plenty of available machines for everyone. Keith is feeling much better today and felt great during the entire workout.
After our workout, we enjoyed a wonderful breakfast in our room. We decided it would be good to eat in our room again to get some quiet time and because we wanted to get the laundry done in the early morning. It’s a good thing we started the laundry as early as we did as many other passengers had the same idea so we got ours all done before all of the machines were in use.
In the morning we attended yet another lecture given by Dr. Jay Wolff whose presentation was titled “Convicts and Gold Bugs. “Britain saves money by shipping her convicts across the Atlantic, and when the American Revolution takes away here dumping ground, she finds a new one halfway around the world. Later, the discovery of gold changes a penal colony into a colonial Dominion.” Dr. Wolff’s lectures have been wonderful. Most of his lectures are told in a story-like format. They are both interesting and extremely informative. We are fortunate to have someone as interesting and as knowledgeable as Dr. Wolff as a destination lecturer for the entire cruise.
Keith then attended a lecture given by Investment Lecturer Dr. Bob Froehlich whose presentation was titled “Where in the World is Dr. Bob Investing? Part II: second Stop: Europe.” Dr. Bob Froehlich was a lecturer on last years World Cruise and today he did a top ten on recommended investments. However, he is saving his number 1 and 2 recommendations until his next lecture during the cruise. As Dr. Froehlich noted, even the experts do not get all of this right and for every ten ideas they come up with four or five do not turn out very good. We would agree with his thought. We have yet to meet the person with that magical crystal ball. ☺
At the same time as Dr. Froehlich’s lecture was a talk given by Resident Astronomer Dr Norman Caisse titled “Navigating the Skies: Aurora Australis”. Anne Marie attended this lecture and enjoyed this talk a great deal.
It is wonderful that there are so many lectures during the sea days along with all of the activities offered during the daytime and evening hours.
We then enjoyed another wonderful lunch in the Main Dining Room with another couple who we know quite well from last years World Cruise. They are lots of fun to talk with. We look forward to dining with them again.
We also went to the mandatory Australian Immigration Inspection for all guests at our appointed time. This inspection was handled in a very orderly manner so it did not take very long.
This evening is a formal night so as part of the evening we attended a reception for all Crystal Society Members. As usual, we had a wonderful time at the reception and it provided a nice opportunity to hear from the Captain and to talk with some of our fellow passengers.
We enjoyed a very nice dinner in the Silk Road Specialty Restaurant. We dined with the person who is teaching the Memoir Writing Course on the cruise, Joe, and his lovely wife, Maria, and their very nice son, Paul. We met Joe and Maria on last years World Cruise and spoke with them from time to time. Last year their daughter jointed them on the cruise and this year their son shares the same opportunity. They are a charming family. This is the first time we dined with them and we enjoyed a wonderful dinner and an outstanding conversation. They are very a very nice family and we look forward to seeing them throughout the remainder of the World Cruise.
This evening we will set the clock back another hour before we go to sleep. We really have come to appreciate setting the clock backwards from time to time. ☺
Tomorrow, we will enjoy another day at sea.
Keith & Anne Marie
