Day 56, Bowlers and Bumbershoots

Day 56, Bowlers and Bumbershoots

INTERNET SPEED

As we transit areas not frequently visited by cruise ships, the internet service is not as good because there are fewer satellites with less bandwidth than in areas with more cruise ship traffic like the Caribbean.   Consequently, the service here has been slow, but more frustrating is that it cuts in and out.  Posting one of my more complicated updates can sometimes take over an hour.  With faster internet, the same post could be uploaded in less than 10 minutes.  Fortunately, I can watch TV or read while this is in progress, so its time not totally wasted.

HAKA WORKSHOP

This morning the Maori Cultural Ambassadors held a HAKA workshop at 10 AM on the Mainstage.  This is the rhythmic dance that concludes with the performers wagging their tongues at the end and is always quite popular with the passengers.

The event before the 10 AM lecture or presentation is usually the Tai Chi class. The entrances are typically blocked off so people won’t start filling the theater until the class is over so as not to disturb the tranquil mood during class.

I don’t go to many of the lectures in the Mainstage, so I am not sure what time you have to arrive to get your desired seats.  I was happy sitting on the stools behind the raised bar toward the back of the balcony. These seats are less desirable than most so they often remain open until the last minute.

The Maori Cultural ambassadors always put on terrific presentations bringing energy and enthusiasm to every event they produce.  You couldn’t help but get caught up in the moment as they tried to have the largest group Haka ever – well, at least on this cruise.

SUNSET AT SEA

As we are heading south, the sun sets off the starboard side of the ship, right outside our cabin. I was able to capture a nice sunset this evening.

BOWLERS AND BUMBERSHOOTS

Tonight was a Gala night with the theme “Bowlers and Bumbershoots”. Bowlers are the derby style hat and “Bumbershoots” are umbrellas.  While researching the origin of the “Bumbershoot” term, I discovered that this expression originated in the USA and then ended up being associated with the British during WW II. 

HERE and HERE are some links to articles about the origin of the term “Bumbershoots”.

I thought that the term “Bowlers and Bumbershoots” represented some sort of a party, or something similar and very British. However, when I googled the term “Bowlers and Bumbershoots”, I found a few references to the fact that “Bumbershoots” had American origins and the rest were links to various blog postings, my own included, describing the Holland America “Bowlers and Bumbershoots” parties on past cruises. It appears then, that the “Bowlers and Bumbershoots” party is an invention of Holland America Line. If anyone has information to the contrary, please leave me a comment.

Regardless of the origin, we always enjoy his event as it means we will be getting sparkly bowler hats which make a great prop for photographs.

The main dining room was decorated with gold chair covers, along with gold silverware and each place setting had a gold or silver sparkly bowler hat. “Bumpershoots”, or umbrellas, were hanging from the ceiling throughout the dining room.

Our dinner guests this evening were Tom and Mary, from Oklahoma, whom we have eaten with before and we always enjoy their company.

After dinner, we stopped by the atrium for photographs with the Holland America photographer. We enjoyed taking some fun shots, one of which is seen here.

ANNIE FRANCES

The ever popular Annie Frances was the star in the Mainstage this evening. Once again the theater was more crowded than normal and Annie wowed the crowd with her amazing voice and wonderful song selection including such hits as:

• I Know a Place
• Hawaiian Wedding Song,
• Georgie Girl,
• To Sir with Love,
• If You Leave Without Me,
• Harper Valley PTA
• Stand by Your Man
• You’ll Never Walk Alone
• Cabaret