Jan 10th, 2020 Cruise Day 7 of 128

We have officially been on the Holland America Amsterdam for a full week.  It is hard to believe it has only been a week.  We have done so much in the last seven days that if you had asked me, I would have said it feels like we have been on board at least two weeks.  We all slept in this morning as Valerie had an especially rough night.  Luckily she was sleeping with me so I could take care of her.  The seas are especially rough and there has been a lot of motion to the ocean in the last 24 hours.  We also added another hour to the time difference so we are officially 5 hours ahead of you all in California.  Megan and I had breakfast together this morning and then headed over to the knitting and crocheting group that is working on the Project Linus Blankets. Next, Megan and I went to a watercolor painting class and then we met up with Nana and Valerie for an informational talk on Devil’s Islands and Belem, Brazil our next two ports.  It was interesting to learn about the history of the prison on Devil’s Island.  There are no official excursions on the island tomorrow.  We just get to tender off the ship and then do a self guided walking tour once on land.  They provided us with maps of what we are looking at.  They also said there are resident monkeys, anacondas, birds and reptiles that live there as well.  The girls are excited to see the monkeys.  Tonight was our second Gala night.  It was officer’s night and we invited an officer to join us at our dinner table.  A cadet that works on the bridge shared so much information about the ship with us at dinner.  He is only 23 years old and has been on the ship six months.  He is going to be returning to the Netherlands for another year of Navigation schooling in February.  He was super sweet to the girls.  We asked to have an officer with us at every Gala evening if they would like to place one with us.  We are also excited to have dinner with the captain and his wife at some time this cruise. So tonight is a gala dance in the main theater and then a “chocolate surprise”.  I’ll let you know what that is later.  We also had our first full moon tonight.  It is especially beautiful out here in the middle of the ocean to see the moonlight reflecting off the sea.  It is very romantic.  Just me and my Jack (Daniel’s) watching the moon rising in the night sky….ahhhh.  In case I haven’t already said this, the food is amazing.  I have had sushi for lunch every single day I have been on the ship.  Dinners so far have been filet mignon, Lobster, prime rib, Lamb and Shrimp.  The appetizers are great and the soup is to die for.  I have been trying to skip desserts and exercise daily.  I hope to lose a little weight and ultimately, not gain any.  We’re off to the show.  Music and Magic tonight and then the Gala event…I’ll let you know tomorrow what the chocolate surprise was.  Love and Hugs from the Caribbean.  Next stop Devil’s Island.