Day 11, Samba Sizzle

Day 11

COFFEE CHAT

The Brazilian Cultural Ambassadors were the guests at this morning’s Coffee Chat.  This is a group of 4 people that put on a variety of lectures and classes with a Brazilian Theme.  There have already been a few lectures, a samba music class and later this morning there will be a Capoeira class which “combines basic coordination, rhythm, strength and self-defense”.  

MORNING LECTURE

Glenn Michael, our EXC host, gave an interesting presentation on “The Secret Language of Ships” where he discussed the purpose of various flags, pennants and day shapes used by sailors around the world. 

CAPOEIRA CLASS

I stopped by to check out the 20 guests who were taking advantage of the Capoeira Class being taught by a member of the Brazil Cultural Ambassadors Team. 

KNITTING IN THE CROW’S NEST

Judy was busy knitting with a small group of other “Judy’s” and a Kathi in the Crow’s Nest.  

SAMBA PARTY

The first of many Crow’s Nest themed parties was the Samba Brazil Night.  The waiters in the main dining room wore Samba themed costumes and some big Boa Feathers were presented to guests as they entered the dining room.  Information about every theme night for the entire cruise is sent out about 2 months in advance to give everyone an opportunity to bring any costumes or other items to help celebrate the event.  We always enjoy these evenings and brought one large suitcase to hold all the items we will be wearing on theme nights. 

Even though main seating starts at 8PM, they open the doors at 7:45PM and we are starting to arrive then so we have a head start on getting to the shows by 9:15PM so we can get our preferred seats in the balcony right by the railing.  We rarely miss a show, and Judy has a perfect attendance record over our last 2 world cruises.  I have missed only a handful. 

The Samba Party in the Crow’s Nest started at 8:30 PM, but we didn’t arrive until we had finished dinner, around 9 PM.  By then the party was in full swing with a couple of the Brazilian Ambassadors leading a Latin line dance.  Afterwards one of the Ambassadors posed for pictures in her festive costume. 

MARK DONOGHUE

Multi-Instrumentalist Mark Donoghue was the featured performer this evening.   His show was fantastic.  Some of his luggage was delayed enroute, so he was only able to play using his hand carry instruments  – a violin and harmonica.  He also played the ship’s Piano.  Mark is an outstanding entertainer with an amazing repertoire of songs – from the country hit “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” to “Funeral for a Friend”.  He played a beautiful instrumental rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah on his Harmonica.  Breathtakingly good.  Other hits were Nature Boy by Eden Ahbez – made famous by Nat King Cole where he sang acapella and played harmonica.  He closed the show with an amazing medley of the Abba hits from the musical Mamma Mia on violin.  

• Mark Donoghue