En Route To Rio de Janeiro - Day 12

NOTE: We have included some pictures from last evenings World Cruise Event.

We also included a couple of pictures from the Luncheon American Buffet including Alberto who is also one of the Silk Road Waiters shown here preparing Cobb Salads for the two of us.

There is also a picture of Anne Marie wearing the 2010 World Cruise Shirt. Keith also received his but has not yet worn it, but will shortly. Finally, a picture of a boat that was in port with us yesterday morning.

Once again we wanted to mention how much we enjoyed last evenings entertainment starting with the 5:00 PM variety show. As early risers we really appreciate that some of the shows and variety acts have been scheduled earlier rather than later. The passenger turnout for this show was excellent. We really enjoyed the comedy of Marty Brill. He had us all laughing very hard, yet was able to do this without offending anyone and in good taste. Afterwards we enjoyed the comic written and performed by Comedy Pianist Dale Gonyea. He poked some fun at some of the places we have already visited on this itinerary that once again had all of us laughing in our seats.

Afterwards, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner. Anne Marie had sea scallops on Pumpkin Risotto and Keith had sun dried tomato crusted queen’s seabass fillet. Both were not only yummy but each of the presentations was a work of art. Just looking at the presentations of each of these entrees one would think that they were dining at a very small restaurant. Kudos go to the Chefs and to those in Crystal’s Headquarters who develop the recipes for the various entrees. They are a work of art.

After dinner in the Main Dining Room, we attended the first of the World Cruise Evening Programs of this voyage. The event was very lively as it included dancing and singing and it capped off a wonderful day for us. To us what is amazing is that these skits and songs are written only for this one event and then they must be rehearsed for this one show. The show included music performed by the Crystal Orchestra, and lots of singing and dancing performed by a variety of the Crystal performers along with skits performed by various staff including Cruise Director Rick Spath, Assistant Cruise Director Scott Mitchel and our World Cruise Hostess Stacey Huston. And let us not forget the lighting, and the props and all of the other efforts that go into the planning and execution of this show.

Before we went to bed, we moved the clocks forward one additional hour as we head into yet another new time zone. This is the third time we have moved the clocks forward with more to come. We are now heading to Rio de Janeiro and will have three full sea days before our arrival to this port of call.

Keith awoke early and was the first one to arrive at the Fitness Center. Even with the forwarding of the clocks, Keith awoke before the alarm clock was set to go off. In fact, while he has it set for each morning it has not gone off at all during our entire time on the ship as Keith’s internal body clock is keeping up with all of the activities and the time zone changes.

About 40 minutes after Keith arrive at the Fitness Center two of the other regulars, John and Brian arrived about 10 seconds apart from one another. All three of us workout on the Elliptical Machines each at varying lengths of time. About 10 minutes later another passenger who we have seen quite often arrived to do his one-hour of yoga. Yes, this is starting to sound similar to the movie Groundhog Day starring actor/comedian Bill Murray. After the elliptical workout of 100 minutes Keith spent sometime on the weight lifting machines. A little while later Anne Marie worked out for an hour on the treadmill.

After both of the workouts we enjoyed a very nice breakfast in our room and then we got ready for the rest of the morning’s activities.

During Captain Glenn’s morning announcement he noted that the ship is running on 4 engines and that we were cruising at a speed of 17.6 knots per hour. He said we were encountering a strong headwind that was reducing our overall speed but that we are still on schedule to arrive to Rio either on time or slightly ahead of schedule and that the number of engines that we could run will make up for the headwinds. He also noted that it was 84 degrees Fahrenheit.

Captain Glenn shared his thought for the day.

“In a full heard there is room for everything, but in an empty heart there is room for nothing.”

The number of activities offered on board any Crystal Voyage is always amazing and then for the World Cruise even a few additional activities are added. Today, there were close to 55 activities during the morning and afternoon hours and that is on top of so many activities that one can do on their own or with others.

This included several health and fitness programs, computer university classes, a talk on Pears, classes on golf, bridge, art, music, dance, Spanish, and even napkin folding. There is also social and duplicate bridge, a needlepoint get-together, and a list of many other activities that are too long to list. Two different movies are shown each day; one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

In the evening there is an equally impressive set of evening entertainment. There is dancing which also includes several dance hosts for those women traveling solo, pre-dinner piano music at a lounge located fairly close to the main dining room, piano music by another featured artist in another venue at around the same time and then later in the evening both artists play again in two different locations. There is a trio that plays in another location later in the evening and there is late night dancing (sometimes Karaoke) in yet another venue. This evening there is a show featuring West End Singing Star Emma Sinclair. Of course there is also the Casino and several other venues for passengers to enjoy. In the end it’s all about offering a nice diverse set of program, activities and entertainment recognizing that the interests vary by individual passenger.

Anne Marie so thoroughly enjoyed the computer course that she took the other day at the Computer University that she took another one today.

In the morning there were two additional lectures. Tanis and Martin Jordan presented “Expedition Peru – Into the Heart of Manu: Flash floods, lost tribes and alligators.” General Nick Halley who presented “Leadership Under Fire” gave the second presentation! He talked about the most important leadership lessons he learned at West Point along with some examples of leadership he saw while in Vietnam along with some other experiences from his time in public life. By the way, the General was the Crystal Representative on our tour bus yesterday morning so we knew we were safe. J

We had lunch on the Lido Deck. Today was Crystal’s American Classic Buffet. This buffet is offered one time on each Crystal voyage and features many classic American food items. Some of the items include;

Starters of Cajun Seafood Gumbo, Crisp Coleslaw, Mixed California Greens, Traditional Waldorf Salad, Carrot-Raisin Salad and what else All-American Potato Salad.

Seafood and Barbecue items including Southern Fried Chicken and Summertime Pasta Salad, Beef Short Ribs, Chicken Breast, and Blackened Fresh Fish.

Hot Entrees including Slow-roasted Strip Loin, Southern Chicken Pot Pies, Roast Turkey, New Orleans Jambalaya.

Additional food items including a Southern Seafood Fry Station with Cajun favorites: Jumbo Shrimp with Creole Tartar Sauce, Cobb Salad, Grilled Chicken, California Avocados, Hard-Boilded Egges, Tomatoes, Blue Cheese, Celery, Crisp Lettuce, Freshly Cooked Bacon Bits, Chives and traditional Cobb Dressng.

Sides including Baked Potatoes, Sweet Potato Casserole, Crispy Fried Onion Rings, Boston Baked Beans, Texas Style Chili con Carne, Okra Fritters, Roasted Autumn Vegetables and Corn on the Cob.

Many breads and beverages to choose from including San Francisco Sour Dough, Navajo Fry Bread, Boston Brown Bread, Southern Corn Bread, Sticky Cinnamon Buns, New Mexico Flour, Tortillas and Bagels. Plus Classic Cocktails such as Mai Tai, Margarita, Long Island Iced Tea and Frozen Daquiri along with other items such as Frozen Cappuccino, Smoothies, and Soda Pop.

Desserts including Chocolate Fudge Turtle Cake, Key Lime Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie, Bread Pudding, New York Cheesecake, Lemon Bars, Brownies, Hazelnut Macaroons, Crème Caramel and Chocolate Chip Cookies along with a favorite American dish of Grandma’s Apple Pie.

If that was not enough food, one could go to the Main Dining Room for a full course lunch, The Trident Grill for hamburgers, cheeseburgers, wraps and snacks, The Bistro for various items including sandwiches, fruit, and desserts and other delectable items, the Scoops Ice Cream Bar and/or also order Room Service.

With all of the food selections, we enjoyed a nice Cobb Salad.

At 1:45 there was a special classical concert featuring internationally acclaimed virtuoso pianist Hyperion Knight.

In the afternoon, Anne Marie enjoyed another nice long walk on the Promenade Deck and then afterwards sat out for a couple of hours. Keith played two hours of paddle tennis and used a racket that was loaned to him by Jamie Brown who is the on board booking consultant.

I also had a wonderful discussion with our friend Bob as we continue to solve many of the problems of the world. J

Before dinner we enjoyed a nice talk with a few passenger’s traveling on the World Cruise. We ate in the Main Dining Room for dinner and both enjoyed a delicious entrée of Brazilian Red Snapper, a salad, vegetables and mixed berries. The dining room was fairly quiet as many passengers were eating in the Specialty Restaurants since tomorrow evening is a formal night.

After dinner we went to the evening show featuring West End Singing Star Emma Sinclair. We loved the show and the wide range of songs she sang.

TODAY’S THOUGHT OF THE DAY……

The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination.”

Keith and Anne Marie