While we ate at Silk Road last evening the Main Dining Room featured an Australian Dinner. We thought it would be interesting to note just a few of the menu items from that meal.
Appetizer of Thinly Sliced Kangaroo Prosciutto and Emu Chipolata
Appetizer of Chilled Local Fruit with Queensland Mango
Soup of Sydney Rock Oyster and Baby Spinach Chowder
Soup of Tomato Consommé with Crocodile-Pumpkin Strudel and River Mint
Entrée of Pink Roasted Walnut- Crusted Kangaroo Loin
Entrée of Grilled Australian Lamb Chops
Entrée of Braised Wild Board Bourguignon
Dessert of Colors of Australia featuring Pineapple Crepes with Brown Sugar, Banana Pudding and Guava Ice Cream
During the World Cruise Crystal makes a great effort to vary items that are served in the dining room knowing there are a number of passengers who are on board the ship for multiple segments or the entire World Cruise. On each segment in addition to offering different items along with those that they have throughout the year, they also have a special dinner similar to the Australian Dinner where they prepare items that are associated with the area of the world we are sailing in.
We enjoyed a wonderful sleep last night with relatively calm seas. This morning we awoke very early and we both worked out in the Fitness Center. Keith arrived first and worked out on the Elliptical Machine and Anne Marie arrived about twenty minutes later and worked out on the Treadmill. A couple of the regulars were up there with us such as John and Mary. Surprisingly, the Fitness Center was never crowded. In addition to us, the ship doctor was working out (we see him up there often) and just a coupe of other passenger’s. Keith spoke with Mary the entire time. Mary and her husband Stan enjoyed last evenings dinner. Stan had the Kangaroo entrée and the Kangaroo Appetizer and Mary had the Crocodile Soup and the Queensland Dory Fish and they both thoroughly enjoyed the dinner.
After our workout we enjoyed a nice quiet breakfast in our room. We have been eating in our room for breakfast until Anne Marie is 100% well again. Anne Marie is getting better each day and hopefully will be back to normal in a few days.
Today is another sea day as we sail to our next port of call in Cairns, Australia. With the start of the World Games there are lots of games along with a full set of lectures.
During the Captain’s daily talk he noted that we were now traveling at 14.5 knots per hour, utilizing two of six engines. The temperature was 80 degrees Fahrenheit. We actually had force 7 winds but it didn’t seem rough at all. Tomorrows forecast calls for rain but we will hope that the forecast is wrong.
The captain’s thought of the day is “If you don’t want to go anywhere follow the crowd.” We really enjoy these thoughts for the day as they are quite poignant.
We attended Rap With The Rabbi and enjoyed a well-attended session with lots of participation by those in attendance. We covered a variety of topics and today we could have spent a good deal more as many comments were offered concerning the topics that the Rabbi covered at our session.
Afterwards as part of the start of the World Games Keith participated in the Singles Shuffleboard Men’s Tournament. Ironically, his first match was with John and that was the case last year when the two of them were matched up in the first game. Last year, John won and advanced to the next round. This time around Keith won and advanced to the next round where he lost a close match 38 to 31. Maybe next time he’ll do better. ☺ It was a lot of fun and Keith enjoyed talking to many of the participants.
While Keith was waiting to play, he was enjoying all of the pretty scenery. We have passed by numerous islands and from the ship we could see a variety of resorts.
Later in the morning we attended a lecture given by Dean Martin’s daughter, Deana Martin. She presented “Memories Are Made of This: Dean Martin Through His Daughter’s Eyes.” She talked about her dad Dean Martin, and also about his partner Jerry Lewis and some of his other friends such as Frank Sinatra, read from her book which was published in 2005. She also shared with us some home movies showing her as a youngster with her Dad and Mom and then shared some memorable highlights of her Father and of his time with other actors such as Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lewis, Sammy Davis Junior, and others.
At Noon we played Team Trivia, which is our third trivia session of this leg of the World Cruise. The good news is that our team finished in first place as we correctly answered 14 of 15 questions. This was a great day for our team. ☺ Let’s hope this trend continues.
Afterwards we enjoyed a wonderful lunch in our room. We had lunch in our room so that we could finish in time so that Anne Marie could participate in the World Cruise Games. Speaking of lunch today was the Sunday Jazz Brunch Buffet. This Buffet is usually held on longer voyages. The Buffet is setup outside the Main Dining Room and includes an array of wonderfully prepared items with complimentary Champagne and Mimosas. There was also entertainment which of course was Jazz Music performed by Crystal’s Galaxy Quartet. From time to time they will also play Jazz music in the evening in the Crystal Cove, which is located adjacent to the Main Dining Room, and the Reception Desk where fellow passengers come out to listen to the music and/or to dance.
In the afternoon Anne Marie participated in the Table Tennis, Singles Female Tournament. She did quite well and won the first round and then she lost the second round. She had a nice time playing.
Other World Game Events for today included Cribbage, Duplicate Bridge, Social Bridge and Ladies Singles Shuffleboard.
We took care of some items for the rest of the afternoon until it was time for dinner. The attire for this evening was informal.
Tomorrow morning we are scheduled to arrive in Cairns, Australia.
Keith & Anne Marie
