Feb 26th, 2023 Day 54 of 128

Sea Day 4 of 7

Another early morning. But no gym this morning. I was up before the sun again this morning. We lost another hour last night so I headed up to Lido area at 6:00am ship time so I could FaceTime Valerie and we could catch up. It was 4:00pm to her. She and I got to talk and we went through the mail that had arrived since the last time we sorted it. Mostly trash but a few things I need to handle now and a few things that can wait till I get home. She is doing so well at home with Nana. She told me today she couldn’t believe the cost of groceries. It is funny to hear her talk about the things I do everyday as being a surprise to her. She mostly prepares the meal that are delivered from Hello Fresh and does some grocery shopping for the other meals she cooks. After I talked to her I went home and grabbed my computer and took it to the Neptune lounge so I could write my blag from last night I did not get to finish. I must admit I spent about two hours in the lounge and never got the blog post done. I had three lovely conversations with different passengers and had a pleasant time socializing the morning away. I went and woke up Megan around 8:30am and then went to the Pinnacle Grill for breakfast solo. Then I made it to Project Linus and got to turn in my completed blanket. I also grabbed some yarn and got a jump on my next blanket. I am going to try another new pattern and I am excited to try something different. I did finally get my blog from yesterday done after Project Linus. Megan went off to eat brunch with her friends. I was still full from breakfast and then she had tutoring at 12:30pm. She is working on her math review and state testing preparations. I took care of a few things that “had to be done” bills, etc. this afternoon. We had dinner in the Main dining room tonight at our normal 5:00pm time and had the pleasure of the company of Cat who is the Port Shopping and Effy jewelry supervisor on the ship. He is from Romania and it was interesting learning about how he came to work for Holland America some 13 years ago. He started in the photographer department, spent several years as an art auctioneer and has now worked his way up to where he is now. After dinner we were invited to attended a cocktail party with the captain on Deck 11 where the cabanas are. They aren’t utilized much on the world cruise but the are quite popular in the summer and when there are more passengers on the ship. I got a chance to take a photo with Joy and Henjie who take such wonderful care of us in the Neptune Lounge. It was a lovely evening. The weather was warm, there was a cool breeze blowing, and the music was pumping. It was one the most beautiful sunsets we have seen yet this trip. It bought joy to my heart to witness this majestic sight out here in the middle of the Indian Ocean so far from everything. I went and supervised Megan and her friends swimming at the pool till 9:00pm when the pool closed. AND then…we went to the 9:30 performance in the Main Stage tonight. A comedian, that also uses Yo-Yo’s in his act. It was entertaining. I was exhausted by the end of the night. There wasn’t much time between my head hitting the pillow and me falling fast asleep. We set the clocks back yet another hour tonight. So we are continuously adjusting the the time changes, but we are pushing through. I am blessed to be where I am right now. Love and hugs to all my nearest and dearest.

There is also a photo below of the snow on the mountains near my home town. NOT something that we have seen as long as we have lived there.