Day 21 ~ Smooth Sailing in “The Ditch”

“I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

Along with Louisa May Alcott, Robert Louis Stevenson was one of the favorite authors of my childhood. Oh, how I shivered when I first read about the “Black Spot” and that infamous one-legged pirate named John.

Like me, Stevenson suffered from a lung condition, but he didn’t let it stop him. No “Land of the Counterpane” (what he called forced bed rest) for him. He traveled to and settled in Samoa (the western island, not American Samoa) where he was eventually laid to rest.

Stevenson knew what today’s cruisers have also discovered. Ship travel is a wonderful option for people with health issues and disabilities. Sea air is a natural antihistamine, so I feel stronger and better oxygenated every day. There are at least 3 other passengers on board the Pacific Princess who are using supplemental O2. Lots of scooters and wheel chairs tool down the hallways. Princess has even hired an interpreter to shadow a couple of deaf guests to sign all the lectures and entertainment.

Wishing you were here...

We’re enjoying a perfect day at sea. It’s about 72 degrees with a slight breeze—the kind of weather I expect to find in heaven, actually. The Tasman Sea (AKA The Ditch) is not living up to its rowdy reputation. All we see is sunshine and deep blue wavelets. Of course, we have one more sea day before we reach Sydney, so perhaps I shouldn’t brag too soon.

The Harmony Choir is working on a trio of songs for us to sing as the Pacific Princess sails under the Sydney Harbor Bridge and today our director David was trying to figure out a couple of different chords for the ending. I knew the notes he wanted the first sopranos to hit. I could hear the chord stacking up in my mind, but I’ve been singing second because I tend to overpower a group when I hit the stratosphere. But this time, I decided to give it a go and let her rip. (In case I haven’t mentioned it before, I was a vocal music major in college and used to sing professional opera many, many years ago.) Anyway, I popped off a fairly decent high A.

“Bloody Hell!” David says.

I think he meant it in a good way because he had us do it several more times.

Tonight is a formal night (the 4^th one this segment), so I’ll get all swanked up in my black palazzo pants, fancy black shell and a long flowing…I’m not sure what to call it, but floats over me, covering a multitude of sins…or at least more almond crusted croissants than I should have. The DH will be sporting his tux, wearing his red vest with it for a change.   

We’re planning to turn our evening on its head by standing by for a table in the first seating for dinner at 5:30 p.m. Then we’ll go to the early stage show—the Russian dancers are on again! Then at about 8:15 p.m., we’ll wander into the Casino Bar (no smoking allowed there on this ship!) for a “Songs of the Divas” Sing-along till 10:45 p.m. or until our bed starts calling us, whichever comes first. 

Is it any wonder we love sea days?