NOTE: Picture of Anne Marie with Captain Glenn and Cruise Director Rick Spath, pictures of Anne Marie with Cruise Director Rick Spath and picture of Anne Marie with Rabbie Morrie. Where’s Keith? J
We wanted to begin by saying that last evening was once again a wonderful evening.
Before dinner, we sat at the Crystal Cove (one of many lounges on the Crystal Serenity) where we enjoyed a wonderful conversation with friends John and Linda. John is the fellow passenger who works out in the morning that Keith does. We first met the two of them in 2007 and greatly enjoy their company. Crystal provided complimentary drinks between 5:15 PM and 6:00 PM so that those in the early seating could enjoy a pre-dinner drink.
We enjoyed an outstanding meal in the Main Dining Room. Since last evening was a formal night the majority of guests dined in the Main Dining Room. Anne Marie did have the lobster; a favorite of hers. Keith had the Halibut. As usual food, service and the overall ambience of the dining room were terrific. We spoke with awhile with our headwaiter, Augusto and he showed us the next nights menu (tonight’s menu).
Afterwards we attended the Captain’s Welcome Aboard Reception. Towards the end of the reception when the Captain normally introduces the senior officers he introduced others from the various teams who guests do not always meet. We thought this was terrific for not only the guests but for those on the team.
Before the reception began we spoke with both Cruise Director Rick Spath and Captain Glenn for a few minutes. They are both highly professional officers and we always enjoy talking with them. They are able to communicate with ease.
For most of the reception, We sat with the Rabbi and his lovely wife, Gerri, along with Destination Lecturer Ken Rees and his lovely wife Lynn and another very nice couple from Austin, Texas. One of the unique aspects of sailing with Crystal is all of the opportunities that are available to guests to talk with the enrichment team and we thoroughly enjoyed our conversations. Although the receptions ended at 8:30 PM since all of us except for the couple from Austin had already eaten the six of us less the couple from Austin chatted until 9:15 PM. We touched on so many subjects including talking about many of the destinations of the world we have visited and how much we learn through our travels.
The seas continued to be very calm so we each enjoyed a wonderful sleep.
This morning Keith awoke early and once again enjoyed a wonderful workout in the Fitness Center on the Elliptical Machine. Like the movie Groundhog day, Keith was once again the first to arrive to the Fitness Center where he was eventually joined by fellow passenger’s John and Brian. Keith had a good workout and was able to multi-task as he was able to watch most of last evening’s State of the Union Address given by President Barack Obama. After the workout, Keith chatted with John for a little while. While getting coffee in the Lido Café Keith chatted with, Earl, who is one of the Lido Deck Stewards who we have known since 2005. At the start of each voyage the three teams of Lido Deck Stewards will rotate from one of three positions on the Lido Deck. This gives each steward the opportunity to perform different responsibilities which adds to the enjoyment of their work, also to interact with other passengers and also puts them on different time schedules. Early is one of the many amazing Lido Deck Stewards. For example, when we attend one of the Receptions, Earl knows exactly which wine that each of us enjoys.
About the time Keith returned to the room Anne Marie began her one-hour workout on the Treadmill. At the time she works out there are several more passengers working out but she can easily use a treadmill for the entire time with several still empty.
Afterwards, we enjoyed a nice breakfast in the room. We watched the morning show and we correctly new two of the first three questions but did not call in time. Keith called on the forth question and got it correct. For you sports buffs the question was who was the lowing coach of the first Super Bowl.
During Captain Glenn’s morning talk from the bridge he noted that were cruising at 17.4 knots per hour and we were 80 miles off the coast of Brazil. The temperature was 77 degrees Fahrenheit and the depth of the ocean was 230 feet.
Captain Glenn’s thought of the way was “Dreams keep changing but friends are forever.”
We attended the Rap with the Rabbi. Once again, we thoroughly enjoyed the discussion.
We each read from the first two chapters of Genesis and discussed the relationship of these two chapters.
After the Rap, we attended two presentations.
Special Interest Lecturer Leo Thorsness who presented “Surviving Tough Times” gave the first presentation. Leo is a very unique man. He served 23 years in the Air Force where he accumulated 5,00 hours flying time as a firther pilot. He flew over 92 missions over North Vietnam and was shot down in April of 1967. He became a POW and was not released until 1973. Leo is a Medal of Honor recipient for a Wild Weasel mission he flew 11 days before being show down. After retiring from the Military he worked at Litton Industries. After he stopped working for Litton he and his wife moved to Washington State where he eventually became a State Senator. We have heard Leo Thorsness speak before and we were still very moved by his presentation including the bravery, courage and heroism that he exhibited during his horrific time as a POW.
Destination Lecturer Ken Rees gave the second presentation which was titled “Don’t Cry For Me, Buenos Aires – The City of Evita.” This presentation covered the rich history and future promise of Buenos Aires, city of Evita and the world’s tango capital. It includes What to see, where to shop and why Eva Duarte still casts her spell over Argentines even today.
Once again, Ken knocked the ball out of the park with his lecture.
An Asia Café Buffet was featured on the Lido Deck today. Instead of the buffet, we had pre-ordered salad entrees which we enjoyed in our room.
After lunch Keith played paddle tennis for the next two hours. Yes, Keith continue to enjoy paddle tennis. Keith enjoys the camaraderie the fresh air and of course the benefits of this type of activity. Keith is not sure why it took him several years to try playing this sport as it is so much fun. Once again he played several sets with the Specialty Restaurant Maitre d’. Anne Marie took a long walk on the promenade deck. Afterwards, she attended a program where she made a necklace and she also picked up a needlepoint kit.
Keith spent time with a couple of passengers and once again they tried to solve the issues of the day.
This evening we dined in the Main Dining Room with friends Mary and Stan. Stan teaches the college computer class on board the ship and we first got to know these two wonderful friends during the 2007 World Cruise. The elliptical machine that Keith used to use was located next to the treadmill that Mary used to use and throughout the 2007 and 2008 World Cruise they would be working out side by side and it was because of the workouts 2007 that we first met Mary and then Stan.
After dinner, we attended a cocktail reception that was hosted by our travel consortium.
TODAY’S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY….
“To reach your dreams, the crucial step is to realizes that you don’t know the meaning of the word, NO!””
Keith and Anne Marie
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