Sea Days Doings & Specialty Dinings

 January 7, 2025

Where after all, would be the poetry of the sea were there no wild waves?” – Joshua Slocum

So glad we stepped out on the balcony at precisely the right time to catch this rainbow.

We're finally out of the California Current, so the swells are no longer battering us broadside. The DH is blessed with viking genes. He's never troubled by heaving seas. Not so for me, but as long as I have my trusty scopolamine patch, I'm good. However, since we are in a cabin located amidships this time, the wave motion is much less noticeable. In the past, we've opted for forward cabins because they are less expensive. They're also like riding the nose of a dolphin in high seas. We were upgraded to the cabin we're in now, so we're enjoying the more premium location for the price of our usually wilder ride. 

Part of an extended voyage is discovering our "tribe," a group of people with similar interests who will become our circle of friends. The best way to do this is to join in with lots of activities. We started our morning with a Bible study on the gospel of Mark led by my DH. He hadn't intended to do it, but the group organized on FB asked for a volunteer and he stepped up. It was such fun to fill up Torshavn, the Sky's nightclub, with folks looking to learn more about Jesus. (Another couple asked if we'd like to have supper with them on Thursday evening, so seems like our "tribe-building" scheme is working!)   

Then we scooted as quickly as possible to the aft of the ship to join the watercolor class. As you can see from our labors below we're more about process than product! But it's a fun activity and so relaxing I could feel my blood pressure dropping as I noodled away.

We're thinking "aloha" thoughts with our hibiscus renderings. Hawaii is bursting with flowers and is the first place I've been encouraged to pick any blossom I liked. Another would appear in its place the next day.

We filled our afternoon with a lazy visit to the Nordic spa. This time the stone lounges were slightly heated, which meant a 15 minute or so semi-nap while we soaked up the heat. 

Next we showered and dressed for dinner. There's no formal night on Viking, but we do like to elevate our look a little for the evening meal. After all, every night on board is "date night."

We had a reservation at The Chef's Table thanks to Godie's recommendation. (You've met him in a previous post.) Dinner in this specialty restaurant is long on flavor and excellent service, but light on actual food. It's a 5 course tasting menu and paired with small glasses of 4 different wines, so the helpings were just right. 

First course--Amuse Bouche (read: entertains the mouth)

Yes, you're right. It's a single sweet potato chip garnished with apple, rosemary & creme fraiche. The dish might be little, but the effect was mighty. When paired with a sip or two of light sweet Garganega wine, my lips were definitely amused. 

First Course- Crab Cake

California style crab cake with avocado, orange, fennel, shallot, dill and blood orange paired with a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc. I overheard the guy at the table next to ours asking for, and receiving, seconds.

Granita--An Uptown Shave Ice

This Moscow Mule inspired palate cleanser was made of ice, ginger beer, lime juice & vodka. At first bite, I tasted no alcohol but when my lips and tongue started tingling I handed the cup over to the DH to finish. I still remember how a deceptively innocent fruit salad infused with tequila laid me out early on our 2022 cruise. 

Main Course- Seared Halibut

Dressed with California olive & herb viniagrette, crumbled roasted cauliflower and buttered panko hiding under this probably 2 oz sized piece of fish. But hey, when you wash it down with a Chilean Chardonnay, it's plenty. 

Dessert--Ojai Mandarin Parfait

Last but not least, this orange treat was garnished with candied ginger and roasted almond slivers. Add a few sips of a truly beguiling Italian Moscato and I didn't even mind that it didn't have a speck of chocolate in it. 

The evening show featured Rachael Tyler, a singer with a high belt that could give Liza Minelli a run for her vocal cords. She's performed on both Broadway and the West End in London, and when she switched up to sing a ballad or two, revealed herself to be a real vocal stylist. She'll return to the Viking stage in a couple of days in a program that features standards from the American Songbook. All the old favorites my mom used to play while we gathered around to sing them. 

I'm looking forward to her next show. 

(Which is more than I can say for tomorrow night's performer. It's a...shudder...ventriloquist. Some people are creeped out by clowns. I have an irrational dislike for anyone who makes obligatory junior high jokes about where his hand is inserted to animate his "partner." Sorry, folks. Sometimes the heart doesn't want what the heart doesn't want!) 

More soon....