Day 15, Sailing toward Nuku Hiva

Three and ½ laps around the Promenade on Deck 3 is one mile.   It was humid, but not hot, so I walked 2 miles on the Promenade deck before 7 AM this morning.   About a dozen other people were up early and joined me on our counter clock wise walk.   I started listening to one of my audio books “Killing Reagan” I listen with a Bluetooth Earpiece (Plantronics M90) which fits in one ear, leaving the other ear open to hear other people or warnings.   Listening to a book while exercising helps your exercise motivation because once you get into the book, you want to walk more to keep “reading”.

The Polynesian team showed us how to make a Kukui Nut Bracelet at 9AM next to the Lido pool. Always popular, the class was pretty much filled at 8:30 AM. During the class we were introduced to the Ms Amsterdam Florists Eddy and Callista.   There are flowers all over the ship and they do a wonderful job keeping them looking good. The day after Nuki HIva will be the final Polynesian craft class when we will make flower head pieces using fresh flowers they plan to buy in Nuku Hiva.

I have read reports before leaving that there may be some issues with newcomers to the world cruise breaking into the world of the regulars. We have experienced none of this – everyone we have encountered has been friendly and easy to get to know.   This is one reason to join in with the craft classes. They are relatively brief and the craft project forms an immediate common experience to help conversation.   If you want to meet people, crafts is a great way. Other classes tend to have the same people day after day and you will not meet as many new folks.   For example, it is harder to join the Ukelele or Water Color class on day 10 than the craft class. The craft classes start fresh each session where the others require more continuity.

The Kukui Nut Bracelet was easy to make and looked very nice when complete. We wore them the rest of the day.

Good Morning Amsterdam was enjoyable as always, but there wasn’t a special guest since this previous evenings entertainers were the HAL regulars.   Not sure why they don’t come on the show in smaller groups as I am sure they would be very interesting guests.

My quest for more Grand Dollars continued with the Million Dollar Golf Putt.   This involves putting a golf ball down the curved atrium steps between deck 4 and deck 3. See the accompanying photo for a better idea of how the contest worked. The line to putt was about 30 minutes long as this event is very popular. The-Inside-Cabin was one of the few people to sink a put which earned me $10 Grand Dollars.   This events are fun and even waiting in line is enjoyable as you get a chance to meet your neighbors and catch up on what others are up to around the ship.

There is a little known gem in the Ships Library – the IPOD Art Tour. I checked out one of the IPODs and spent the next 45 minutes exploring the ship and listening to a very interesting narration of the various paintings, vases, birdcages and other interesting pieces displayed around the ship.

The dining room staff set up a Mongolian BBQ on the LIDO deck near the pool for lunch.   You get in one line to fill a plate with various vegetables, meats and seafood, then get in a second line to have your selections stir fried while you wait with the cook adding spices and sauces as you desire.

Ukulele Class and Crafts filled our afternoon and after relaxing in our cabin it was time for dinner.   Judy spend some time in the sun on the aft deck

There was no special theme for dinner tonight.   Late seating is a lot less busy than earlier times so our service ends up being much more speedy, another reason we enjoy late seating.   The menu for dinner is on the blog under Daily Activities

Robbie Howard, from Las Vegas, provided the entertainment tonight.   Robbie is a singer who imitates a wide variety of famous singers past and present. A very entertaining show that received an enthusiastic standing ovation.

• Robbie Howard