Thursday 25 February 2010

DAY 44 Feb 25 - Sea Day Southern Atlantic Ocean

As we departed Montevideo last night we passed, all nicely tied-up together and docked in port, what must have been the whole of the Uruguayan Navy. None of her ships looked too new but the country apparently does have a fighting naval force with presumably an admiral or two to command it.

We were both tired from our long walk round town and quite full still from our enormous lunch taken in the Puerto Marcado grill.

Although this picture taken yesterday is mouth watering, I don't think we could face the grill again today for lunch even if it was available here on board and not just in Montevideo.

Yesterday evening therefore, Maria just stayed in the cabin and I went to the Lido deck for a soup and salad. After this we decided to have an early night to catch-up after three busy days in a row.

Whereas I was tucked up by 9 o'clock Maria spend some time battening down the hatches as the ship was beginning to swing a bit due to a very noticeable beam sea.

Glasses, bottles, the computer, camera and anything else that could move all had to be secured. Thank you Maria.

Our night's sleep was constantly disturbed by the movement of the ship as it tossed from side to side. Maria even had a green apple during the night as a means of keeping the stomach settled.

We seemed to be closely following the South American coast line as lights were clearly visible for the early part of the night.

By 7.00 am I was awake but still tired and eventually had my first morning coffee at 7.30. Incidentally, the captain later informed us that we passed into Brazilian waters at 7.30 this morning.

The Lido restaurant was almost deserted at this time suggesting that others had an interrupted night's sleep too.

Maria slept on, no doubt catching up on some lost sleep from the proceeding night.

Although not cold the weather was not yet to the temperatures we expect in Brazil. I suppose the sea breeze was not helping although it was T-shirt and shorts weather.

The mosquitoes must have surfaced from somewhere as I have some bites on my arms that are itchy while Maria (who obviously doesn't have sweet blood like me) has none. No wonder she likes to sit near me in these climates knowing they will attack me first and not her!

With nothing planned today we will have a lazy time around the ship. It would also give me plenty of time to organise today's blog and look at the pictures we might be using.

Our Aussie friends and near neighbours the Edmunds have reported that poor Peter has a very sore lower back and has taken to bed in the hope it is only a temporary problem. Get well soon Peter.

In his lunch time address the Captain explained that the ship's liveliness, during the early part of the night in particular, had been caused by us being in shallow waters with a southerly wind blowing. He added that the temperature was now an acceptable 70 with high 70's expected tomorrow.

This picture is a photo of the map that is displayed on the ship showing our route round South America and subsequently home to Florida.

The Captain went on later to point out that on the port side of the ship could be seen the 'Franconia' approaching. She was a car carrier laden with vehicles from Japan.

As she was travelling into a bit of a sea with a wind against it, she was having a rough ride with her bow and stern alternatively out of the water.

We could be thankful that the Prinsendam was travelling in the opposite direction.

Although we still had a little sea motion it was nothing like what the 'Franconia' was experiencing. I hope her precious cargo was well battened down!

We visited the ship's Photo Shop for the first time this cruise as we knew one of the ship’s photographers had taken some pictures, a few days ago, at the ‘special event’ dinner in BA. As I had not had my own camera available that night and only borrowed Rhonda's after the start of the evening's procedure, the three copies I purchased were unique. Reproduced here are copies of them.

The first is of Hotel Manager Françoise overseeing a section of his Front Office staff manag-ement team.

By popular demand (well maybe not) I also made a cameo appearance next to Françoise. It was a delight to be pictured with this fine bunch of young men and women and HAL should be rightly proud of them all.

The second is of Maria and myself. I think the picture is no better than the one we had taken by Rhonda on her little Canon point and shoot.

The final one of the trilogy is a foursome picture with Rhonda and Peter from Brisbane. They make a very handsome couple and are good company to be in as we found out during the dinner.

I must say that the ship photographer's pictures do give a facial appearance of me (and perhaps Peter too) having had too much sunshine or having imbibed in an excess of certain beverages. Of course in both cases this is not true....honest.

Unfortunately tonight is ‘formal’ so its monkey suit time again after having been dressed up a couple of nights ago in BA. Oh well we knew what we were getting into when we booked the Grand Voyage.

I must say Maria always looks wonderful in the assorted outfits she brought with her. For me tonight I think it’s the white tux jacket and a coloured shirt with bow tie.

We have at least two couples missing from out table tonight, Keith and Margaret are dining with the Captain, and Mary Ellen and Bruce do not want to dress up again so soon after BA. It is likely that we will have a visitor from the ship’s company join us, as it’s a formal night.

1 comment:

  1. Hi Paul and Maria,
    reading your blogs has been great fun as always.It seems that eating and drinking is a lot of fun besides sightseeing. We start our cruise tomorrow and are looking forward to seeing you both in Manaus.
    Uli and Inge

    ReplyDelete