Feb 25th, 2020 Day 53 of 128

So I have to decide how to post for tomorrow. As it is a “non-existent” day for us. Tonight we set our clocks ahead 23 hours. They are going to have Ash Wednesday services for us on Thursday. At the lecture today they showed us a map of the International Date Line. That puppy is definitely not straight. My understanding is the monarchy of Tonga wants to be the first to see the “light of a new day” everyday so the line was modified to go around the Tongan Islands. I am going to try and post my photo, but I may not be able to. Megan and I chilled this morning on our patio as we drank smoothies for breakfast and worked on school. We packed up our winter gear and jackets into suitcases that are stored under our bed. We went to our crocheting group as well. Valerie had tutoring and choir today. Mom and I met at 2:00pm for the lecture on Nuku’alofa, Tonga, our next port of call. Tonight was a Fat Tuesday themed dinner in the Main dining room. There were beads and masks on the table for the guests and the staff were dressed in purple, green and gold vests and hats. We concluded the evening by going to the performance tonight. There is a juggler on the ship named Steven Ragartz that used to work for Cirque De Solei and he gave us quite an amazing performance. There is an undertone of concern around the ship with everything going on back at home in regards to the stock market and the coronavirus. With our chances of some of our scheduled upcoming ports being missed constantly increasing, we are all curious to know where we will be going instead and when they will let us know. Regardless everyone agrees we are in good hands and that our safety and well-being is being put first. I miss posting photos for you all and have a file ready to go when we are in a better place of Internet accessibility. I am happy I can get anything posted at all to keep you all up to date on where we are in the world. To use a term I have heard being used more and more lately, we are chasing summer. It is forecasted to be in the upper 80’s with the humidity its supposed to feel like 98 when we arrive in Tonga. I know those of you freezing in the heart of winter have zero sympathy for us…but it is going to be hot.

Missing those who are not with us as always. But living today like there’s no tomorrow. Love, Debra