Tuesday
Dear Elsie
Today was the day we hit a shipping lane off the coast of West Africa. When the captain came on just after 12, he told us the nearest land was Ascension island 500 nautical miles away. We are very close to the equator now.
We seemed so remote out at sea with no other signs of life, so it was a surprise to suddenly start having ships passing by.
As we get closer to the coast of Africa, we leave behind the middle of nowhere and will bring to an end that part of the journey. More ships & land will become the norm. I’m savouring every minute of this unique experience. I’m sitting on our balcony in sultry weather & what feels like 100% humidity. It’s quite a treat. Our balcony faces east so the sun has now passed overhead. The roar of the waves as the ship ploughs through the sea is not insignificant. My balcony view while doing my blog…
What we learned on Sunday when we met Steve and Mary is that every sea day, at 3.45pm, in the Ametista Lounge, tea is served. It comes with a pot of hot water for each person and you are offered a teabag of your choice, which you then put in the pot and let it draw. And, it comes with a tier of delicious snacks. Whoever thought up dancing tea time was genius! It’s so different and creative. There are always couples who get up and dance to the live music. Even if you don’t, the music is really listenable and pleasant to sit and enjoy. Those who love to dance include the Germans who lang-arm. I was so surprised to see couples lang-arming around the dance floor just like our Afrikaners do.
The Ametista Lounge…
Teddy getting ready for tea…
High tea every afternoon. Such an easy way to pass an hour.
Dinner last night was a ‘white’ affair, where wearing white was the flavour of the evening. They are not super particular about it & we soon found that pure white was not required.
I had the salmon…
And lime cake.
I’m always walking the deck curious about what people are doing. This must be the long cruise I’ve been on with the most smokers. There are loads of them which has surprised me. There’s also a lot of people doing exercise – yoga, Pilates and such. And there is Mike who did this today…
This afternoon we went to the Grand Finale of MSC Masterchef at sea. And the winner was…
It’s nearly dinner time and tonight is green, white and red. Mike’s got a red tie. I’ve got a green and white dress and green scarf. That will do.
Psalm 89:9
You rule the swelling of the sea; When its waves rise, You still them.
It’s not about now – we are only passing through.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Gran xx 🙂