Cruising 29 April 2009

   Heading north to Ireland, the British Isles, Old Blarney, Home of the Shamrock, etc.  This was a cooler day at sea with rain clouds all about us  but we were not actually in the rain. Up and to our first event of the day, an enrichment lecture about the Vikings.  There is an interesting bunch and advanced in many areas, of course extinct now I guess.  He never did say why they died out.  I saw something on the Discovery channel once with the idea that it was climate change that basically destroyed their civilization, not sure of the facts of course.  

  We did a  bit more than two miles of walking today, with the wind resistance I am sure it counted for MUCH more and burned many calories!  After lunch I did a bit of laundry and we watched a movie on TV. We are thinking a lot about the next phase of our trip while still enjoying this stage. 

   About 3:45 we headed to the "special" Ice Odyssey show put on for people who are Platinum members (us) and above.  What a spectacular ice show it was.  The extra part was bringing out a few of the performers to do some particular movement or feat, complementary appetizers, wine and drinks, plus a brief address from the Captain at the end.  The performers are from all over the world and really do a fabulous job.  My pictures do not do it justice, it is so well done and really worth going to see. 

  Formal night, the final formal night.  I was sure I would have a large plastic bag for things to send home by now but I don't.  We are considering a $15 gift shop bag to put our things in for Emma at West Quay Cars to mail home for us.  I decided I will have her mail it to Deb's house so it won't be sitting at the Post Office for weeks.  Anyway, now we can pack those things and have them out of the way.  So far washing a few things every few days has worked out well. 

Temperature:  57*  8:30 pm

Sea:  Moderate 4-7.5 ft.

Nautical miles from Galveston 4319, from Ponta Delgada 489, and 659 to Cohb, Ireland.