Wednesday, February 23, 2011

2 Party Days at Sea—Sailing Inside the Great Barrier Reef


Day 48 & 49 at Sea; February 23-24, 2011

I have lumped these two sea days together because they are one big party.  We have the CEO from Holland America on board and he is being wined and dined.  It is also Mariner Appreciation Days—honoring people to sail often with Holland America and are considered Mariners.  Tuesday I had my class and shared my two cents on writing creative non-fiction.  At 4:15 we had a cocktail party and people could talk their pictures with the CEO.  Complimentary drinks.  Then we had a formal dinner and it was oh so fine. 

Unfortunately, I had an episode with angina and ended up in the infirmary for a couple of hours.  My enzymes were normal, but the doc was going to send me to a hospital in Cairnes for further tests.  Fortunately, the primary doc came in and since I have a history of these and have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, she told me I could go to my cabin and sleep and they would repeat the blood work and EKG in the am.  She was able to contact my doctor’s office in Vancouver.  I am fine this morning. 

Second day the staff is getting ready for a huge party—A Taste of Austrailia.  Austrailian musicians on board, wine, food of all kinds including crocodile, kangaroo and emu, wonderful large cherries, and other delectable things.  I ended my class early so we could all go hear the CEO talk about the future of the HAL cruise line. 

At five, the Lido opened and people poured in, stewards poured wine and beer and other stuff.  An absolutely amazing party.  Too much noise and way too hot. 

On a more interesting note, we are sailing inside the Great Barrier Reef where waters are calmer and temperatures are tropical.  It’s been raining, but who cares.  Tomorrow when we awake we will be in Cairnes. 

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