Day 12 on the Equinox: Tea, Pilots, and Calabria
Nov 07 '09
The Bottom Line A very quiet day, but with a few pleasures to enjoy.
Today was our second 'At Sea' day in a row. Last night we sailed by the island of Crete, but unfortunately it was already dark so there wasn't anything to see. Still, I would have enjoyed seeing it.
I've discovered that watching the sea going past is very mesmerizing. The breaking of the waves, the wake that the ship creates, the way that it rolls in a pattern is fascinating to watch. Tonight, we are to pass through the straits of Messina again, but this time at night. As my stateroom is on the starboard side, I will get to see the Calabria side this time -- that's the toe of Italy.
Breakfast again in the Oceanview café, and the selections were again, quite nice to try. I don't know how they are getting the pastry here, but it is scrumptious, especially the ones with the cherry filling. Don't ever plan on dieting while on a cruise ship, your resolve will crumble every time. With just a few exceptions, the food on board has been extremely good, and too darn good to resist. My own personal problem has been the gelato. Especially hazelnut gelato.
After breakfast was another quick stop in the on-line centre, and thankfully, no problems. I can happy get in and get out of my email within ten to twenty minutes, so I've been keeping the charges pretty well under control. They can add up in a hurry, and the pricing for Internet access is beyond bad, it's atrocious.
It's interesting, just people watching on board. Most of my fellow passengers fit into the 40-60 crowd, with people mostly from the US and Canada, quite a few British, and a smattering of Asians to fill things out. The Chinese are having what seems to be a Mah-jongg tournament in the Card Room on Deck 9, with furious play going on at all hours. Most of the Americans are up on the upper decks, getting that nice pre-cancerous glow to their skins. Then there is the constant racket from the Casino -- think a mini-Las Vegas with all of the lights and bells going off. Uggghhh. Gambling is a sport that I have never been able to handle, I just can't see flinging money away like that. I'd rather be spending it on a good meal or books.
Every night, Joy the housekeeper brings a copy of the ship's newsletter to my room. It's called Celebrity Today, and lets you know where the ship is going the next day, what times sunrise and sunset are, along with the dress code for the country might be and the style of dress expected in the main dining room. Along with the port and shopping information, there's a page devoted to what is happening on board the ship -- there are talks given in the main theatre, movies to watch in the small theatre, the hot glass show up on the Lawn deck (which I still haven't visited yet, darn it), the various games being sponsored and the like. It's a handy little guide, and very nicely laid out and presented.
Today's special activity is the Elegant Tea being presented in the Silhouette. And being the tea junkie that I am, of course I went. All white linens, fine china, and the good stuff being hauled out for our tea selections. I went for the Darjeeling, naturally, and the waiters brought around a delightful selection of savoury sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and sweets to tempt us all into a well-fed bliss. They had a chicken salad one that was a knockout, and as for the sweets -- well, their pastry chef deserves an award is all I can say.
At dinner that night, I took along my digital camera and got pictures of my tablemates and our waiters. And I thanked them all quite nicely for being kind enough to include me in their conversations. They were a fun bunch to know! And not a dry eye at our table by the end of the meal.
When I returned to my room after a long and leisurely dinner, I wandered outside having heard an unusual noise. Standing on my veranda, I could see the lights of the Calabria coast as we were transversing the straits of Messina, but the real interest was in what was happening below. Along side the ship there was a small boat, bouncing in the wake that the bow was throwing up, and the words PILOT on the side. It was tiny compared to our leviathan of a ship, and I could hear the pilot on board redlining the engine at times to keep up with us. He was also pretty close to us as well, and there were quite a few passengers beside myself who were out on our verandas watching him guide us on through. All I can say, watching this little boat going in and out of the water was something, whoever was guiding us must have had a spine made of iron as that boat was actually clearing the water at times.
Tomorrow is Naples, which should be interesting, as the weather is predicted to be less than favourable for us. If it is pouring, I intend to stay on board, as I have no desire to slip and have a bad fall. My left knee has been aching continually on this trip, and I've been taking large doses of painkiller so I can just get around. That's been the one huge drawback on this trip, but I am trying to make the best of it, and am determined to do and see as much as I can.
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Member: Rebecca Huston
Location: On the banks of the Hudson River
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Quot libros quam breve tempus!
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