February 18, 2017

     Today is Sea Day #6, officially. It will take a second day to cross the Timor Sea to get to Bali, Indonesia.  The sky had some small fluffy white clouds, the humidity was less, about 70%, and the morning temperature was a relatively cooler 25 C with a strong wind.  The waves were gently rolling with a few white caps. 

    After a few circuits of Deck 5, we went to the dining room for breakfast with an Australian couple who lived in Darwin in 1974 and experienced Cyclone Tracy.  They had many interesting stories to tell of their experiences during the cyclone.  After breakfast, we found seats in the Aurora Theatre to listen to the shore excursions manager explain the next three ports – Benoa, Bali; Port Hedland, Australia and Geraldton, Australia.  We read our books from the ship’s library before going to the next early afternoon presentation.  By noon the temperature was 28 C.

    We attended Philip Schubert’s talk about what to expect in Bali.  There are three volcanoes on the island – Gunung Agung is more than 10,000 feet above sea level.  On a clear day it is visible from the ship. The temperature ranges from 28 C to 33 C year round.  Rice is a staple and grown in terraced rice paddies. Bali used to be a kingdom and the Dutch allowed the king to rule.  The king had many beautiful women dancers which he had no qualms about selling to the Dutch occupiers.

   The Indonesian currency rupiah has about 10,300 to $1 Cdn.  The local street vendors, near the port and in any of the towns and villages where we will visit, will be very eager for you to buy their merchandise and expect to bargain.  There will be lots vying for your attention – think Mexican street vendors, but more aggressive.

    Later Larry visited the casino while I wrote some of the blog.  Then we got cappuccinos to drink while we read some more before getting ready for dinner.

    Bob and Maureen joined us after seeing the 4 p.m. viewing of the movie “The Accountant”.  The appetizers chosen were Greek Salad and Manhattan clam chowder and we both ordered Tempura Fried Salmon and Asian vegetables as the main course followed by Hazelnut Soufflé with Frangelico sauce and some Pistachio Ice Cream. After dinner we joined Maureen and Bob in the Colony Club to dance to the Radiance of the Seas orchestra.  They played Big Band music that we could dance polka, rumba, cha-cha, foxtrot, swing, waltz and Quick Step during their 45 minute set.  We then went to the Aurora Theatre, while we were waiting for the show to start a man came over to tell us how much he enjoyed watching us dance. Tonight’s entertainment was comedian, Paul Martell, an Irish Australian, born in Belfast, Northern Ireland.  It was a very fun clean show.  Paul did a convincing Elvis Presley impression signing portion of two Elvis hits.

     Then we came back to the stateroom for reading and wine.

     Clocks were turned back another hour to Western Australia time for the next week.

Steps for today = 17,524