At sea Day 2 Sunday

     We were up early (another time change helped) today to see clear skies and

Sunrise

calm seas. The Captain took us well south out of the range of the disturbance and now we are headed on a more direct route to Halifax. In fact by adding 300 miles to the trip he will save fuel because he can pick up a favourable wind system that will help us along. Crossings are all about saving fuel. He is also speeding along so that he can save some time in case Florence is a problem as we approach Halifax. We will get into Halifax because he said his wife is waiting for him!

The routines for these sea days remain the same. We had breakfast in the dining room where we sat with a couple. The man originally grew up in Detroit although the couple now live in California. There were back in Michigan a few weeks ago visiting family in the Saginaw area and actually drove to New York where they left their car and will drive back across the country.

    We did zumba with a third cruise staff doing it. The floor was not quite as crowded as the yesterday but there is not much room to move. We stayed on for the Salsa lesson after that. Talk about a small world. A woman was looking at us do the salsa. I though she liked the way I did it but it turns out Sandy recognized Judy's shoes (and of course my dancing!) Actually she was a part of a group that danced together on our Pacific crossing. We discovered they did line dancing in Skywalker's Lounge every day for about an hour. That group is not on this cruise but we sat and talked for a long time. They live in the Toronto area and cruise all the time. I would sure have liked it if she had recognized me from my dancing! Judy went off to the food lecture and I stayed behind with Sandra and helped her with the line dancing. A cup of tea and a light snack followed.

Waiting For Coffee

    The Captain gave a talk of the North Atlantic Weather Routes. He is very personable and likes to talk unlike some of the captains that we have had in the past. He now lives in Nova Scotia which is why I am sure we will get into Halifax. He was very detailed about the patterns that develop and the background to the systems. A lot of high school geography class was involved. How and why routes are picked was the real focus of the talk. He did explain why we are not taking the shortest (great circle route) to Halifax but rather a modified one. It was all very entertaining.

   A brief rest was followed by afternoon tea in the dining room. It was the first time we had been to tea on this trip. After it was time for relaxing before we went to the Captain's Circle party. The usual happened there – a few nibbles and a few drinks before dinner. The 2 ladies behind us in line live in the Leamington area. Talk about a small world! After dinner we went to the late show tonight which featured a musical madman that used one of a kind instruments. With the help of a computer he even played a laser beam instrument. It was the type of show that blends modern technology with music. It was unique and entertaining. In all we had a very good day.