We awoke early this morning and started our day off at the Fitness Center. After taking off a few days from working out, Anne Marie was able to get workout today. Anne Marie is slowly making improved progress and hopefully will be over this in a few more days. Then the challenge will be for both of us to avoid getting sick again. We continue to try to keep our distances from those who we suspect are ill. We also thoroughly wipe down the fitness equipment before we use it and we wash our hands as often as possible and use the anti bacterial cleanser, which Anne Maries carries with her at all times in her purse, every time we touch items including the restaurant menus. The challenge is being in a close environment such as a cruise ship or when we ride the bus for a tour or to take the complimentary transportation to and from town.
Keith was the first one to the Fitness Center and Anne Marie arrived a little while after. Keith worked out on the Elliptical Machine and Anne Marie worked out on the treadmill. Other regulars such as John and Mary worked out as well. Keith enjoyed a nice conversation with Mary. By the time we finished up, there were far fewer passengers working out than is normal for so early in a cruise segment. We’re not sure why but maybe some folks wanted to sleep in later today.
After our workout we stopped by the Lido Café to get some coffee to take back with us and then we enjoyed a wonderful breakfast in our room. Typically, we order the same thing for breakfast each day. We have cereal and a variety of fruit and coffee. We were kidding around with the Butler about this and asked if we are in the majority or in the minority in terms of the type of food we order. Not surprisingly, he confirmed what we expected that we are in the minority. He had a good way of putting it. Many of the passengers order a children’s breakfast, such as Pancakes, Waffle, or French toast. Sometime during the cruise, we will try the children’s breakfast ☺
During Captain Glenn’s morning announcement he noted that we were in the Coral Sea and in the area of the Great Barrier Reef. At the time of his announcement we were using two of six engines and traveling at a speed of a little over 13 knots per hour. In order to make it to our next port of call on schedule he would be increasing the speed and utilizing one additional engine. His thought of the Day is “If what you are telling is the truth you don’t have to choose your words so carefully.”
Speaking of the Great Barrier Reef is represents the sum total of a sprawling swarm of reefs and islands. It measures 1,250 miles long and in certain places it measures as high as 50 miles wide. It is comprised of 3,000 individual reefs and 850 islands. It continues to grow in size.
Today is a sea day as we sail to our next port of call located in Cairns, Australia. There were many activities throughout the day and afternoon.
Keith attended a lecture given by Destination Lecturer Dr. Wolff. The topic of his presentation was “I Shall Return. The Ballad of Douglas MacArthur.” Dr. Wolff talked about the greatness that Douglas MacArthur achieved. He discussed his achievements, which included the US victory in World War I, the Pacific successes in World War II and his role in Korea. At the same time he discussed his failings which led up to his resignation/dismissal from the armed forces. Dr. Wolff continues to give outstanding lectures and it is amazing all of the topics that he has covered. The other day we took the elevator down from the Captain’s Reception to the Main Dining Room for dinner, and he was on our elevator. Recognizing that with stops we might have two minutes on the elevator, Keith asked Dr. Wolff if he could share one of his interesting stories with us for the two minutes. ☺
Following Dr. Wolff’s lecture Keith attended a lecture given by former FBI Profiler Clint Van Zandt. He discussed Modern Day Pirates. He started off by talking about the history of the early Pirates and how law enforcement agencies and militaries around the world continue to fight this menace on the seas. He also provided case studies of modern day private attacks and the weapons used to combat them. He discussed the infamous disappearance of the recent newlywed on a honeymoon with his wife in from a Royal Caribbean Ship along with the pirate attack of the Seabourn Spirit cruise ship of Samoa.
We then went to Team Trivia. Today, our team finished in a tie for third place in terms of overall score. We had eleven of fifteen questions right.
After Team Trivia we enjoyed a wonderful lunch in the Main Dining Room.
Later in the afternoon we attended a get together that Keith organized for those passengers who post to the Cruise Critic Web Site. Several passengers who have been on board since January attended along with a couple of passengers who joined the ship earlier in the week in Sydney, Australia. We all got together at the afternoon tea that Crystal provides. Today’s tea was called Chocolate Tea Time. Various desserts were served at this tea including brownies, ganache, chocolate crème brulee, chocolate mousse and other sweets. Everyone who attended seemed to have a wonderful time.
After this get together we attended a cocktail reception that was provided by our Travel Consortium; Signature. The reception was very well attended.
This evening we enjoyed a wonderful dinner in the Silk Road Japanese Specialty restaurant with fellow passenger’s Helen and Allan King. We had a wonderful meal with fine cuisine along with a wonderful conversation.
This evening marked the opening ceremony for the 2008 World Cruise Games. There is an opening ceremony later this evening. The two Olympians who are on this segment of the cruise are Cathy Rigby and Mitch Gaylord.
Tomorrow we have another sea day as we sail to our next port of call in morning in Cairns, Australia.
Keith & Anne Marie
