Day 9 At Sea

Well, another long day at sea as we make our way to Japan…..  I was so excited about our stop tomorrow in our first Japanese port of Kushiro until…..  The Captain came on the PA system and announce that we would have to skip Kushiro because of high winds from Typhoon Jelawat.  The road to Japan just got a little longer.   Hopefully, the day after tomorrow we will go ashore at the port of Hakodate.  Tonight I had dinner in the Pinnacle Grill  with friends Leslie and her husband Handler…  great food and wonderful company.   

Day 8 At Sea

Boy it’s a long way to Japan….  It was a long day but another nice day sailing along here in the North Pacific.  At least we are out of range at the moment of the Typhoon brewing out there around Japan.  This evening, Henk Mensink, hofterward dinner, it was time for the Silver & Black Ball that was held in the Queen’s Lounge.  It was a fun evening filled with laughter, music and dancing….  danced myself to death, well OK, maybe only 3 dances which for me is a huge number.  After the Ball we went up to the Crow’s Nest for the after Ball party….  It was a fun way to end a lovely day.  Only one more day at sea before we hit Japan, hope that typhoon doesn’t mess us up.  Oh. By the way…  an update to the Japan satellite blackout.  It appears that after we leave port and get outside the 12 mile limit, we can use the satellite again.  So, hopefully, I will be able to receive email and blog…..

Day 7 At Sea

Today was another relaxing day at sea….  It kills me to sit inside when it is so sunny outside but, still way too breezy and cool to sit outside.  In the Crow’s Nest today they annotated the charts to show the earthquake and its’ proximaty to the ship… pretty cool.  Today was a day fro great eating….  First of all, we had Mongalian Barbeque for lunch.  This is always a favorite of mine.  Then for dinner the staff made a special Indonesian dinner for our table, Ayam goreng Bumbu Kecap pedas….  Translation, just about the finest chicked dish that you can eat.  It is a wonderful combination of sweet and spicey.  Just delicious!  Our waiter, Iwan, is doing an amazing job.  The food here has been superb!  Now for some bad news….   As we approach Japan I must let you know that blogging activities could possibly be shut down for about 10 days.  We received an announcement tonight which said:  “Due to regulations (law), ship satellite activity is not permitted whilst docked in Japenese ports or sailing in their territorial waters.  An estimate for the resumption of these services will be known and communicated shortly prior to our arrival.  We apoligize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.”  I will try and connect via internet cafes, if possible, otherwise as soon as we are back up I will post a blog for each day that was missed.

 

Day 6 At Sea

Today was another relaxing day at sea….  The ship is still rocking and rolling quite a bit and on top of that we felt the ship shudder around 11:40 and learned that this was a 6.9 earthquake about  50 some miles away from us.  That’s a first for me, feeling an earthquake while on a ship.  I have experienced several on land but never at sea.  I am getting way too much rest….  We are still gaining an hour each day.  Lots of reading to fill the time.  We crossed the International Dateline so today it’s Thursday, 16 hours ahead of Virginia where I live.  Three more days at sea….  I will be really ready for our first port, Kushiro Japan.  Cruise is great so far….  The Officers and crew are doing an amazing job.

 

Day 5 At Sea

Another cold blustery day aboard the ms Amsterdam….  The sun was shining a good part of the day but I didn’t even think about going outside, way too cold.  The days are lond, especially since we gain an extra hour each day.  I have enjoyed my time reading, on my 3^rd book.  This voyage is going very well to this point….  the food & service are exceptional.  It is great to be aboard…..

 

Day 4 At Sea

Today was a good day to stay inside….  The seas were rough and the weather rather unpleasant.  I started my day with a nice long massage in the Greenhouse Spa.  It was a wonderful way to begin the day.  Then I settled in for a long day of reading with the occasional connection with the internet.  Tonight they made a very special Indonesian dish for the table for dinner, Babi kecap with sweet soy sauce.  It was a pork dish with fried rice that was nice and spicey with just a little sweetness, simply delicious….  Just loving my time aboard the ms Amsterdam.

 

Day 3 At Sea

Another day at sea and another hour back on the time.  After tonight I’ll be 6 hours behind my home.  We do this time change for 8 days in a row.  Going to be a challenge.  There was one person crazy enough to sit outside today with near gale force winds and very rough seas.  It was pretty nippy.  That person, of course, was me.  Nothing like a dose of sunshine.  I built a little wind break to help keep the cold wind off me.  I also got a nice present from my friend Brad….  A door hanging made from a photo taken on our  trip to Tiger Kingdom in Chaing Mai Thailand…  Very cool!  Our first formal night was tonight and my dear friend Rene, the Spa Manager, was the hostess for my table in the dining room.  It was a great dinner.  The Captain hosted a cocktail party before dinner with introductions of the senior staff.   What a wonderful evening…..