World cruise 37

March 30

A quiet day at sea ... if you can call racing through The Gates of Tears at more than 23 knots plus a decent tail wind quiet. There were reports from various passengers of a helicopter sighting around 11:30 a.m., but no one seemed to know whose it was. At the usual noon report, Captain Jonathan did say that he was using all but one engine and was keeping that one in reserve. Around that time, the coast of Yemen was visible, but soon the Red Sea widened out, and although the Captain said we would stay nearer the Yemen side in the northbound sea lane, the coast was no longer visible. About 5:00 p.m. or so a warship of some description was seen off our starboard headed south at about 23 knots for a total passing speed of 46 knots which, at sea, is a virtual eyeblink. I didn't see it myself, but the Captain reported that on our bridge, they think it was flying the Saudi Arabian ensign.

March 31

At sea, a formal night, and Margaret's birthday. The day itself was quiet with nothing exciting sighted except the occasional freighter.

We had a full table at dinner to celebrate Margaret's birthday. The usual bunch included Margaret, me, Mike, Penny, and Carma. Then we invited Judith and Carol from the knitting/crocheting group, and Ismet who is one of the guest lecturers. Since it ws formal night, everyone was dressed up fancy. There was a big bunch of balloons (mylar) decorating Margaret's chair.

We toasted her with champagne. Lots of good conversation went around the table during dinner. And for dessert there was a gorgeous chocolate cake that was about a mile high, and vanilla ice cream.

And of course, a whole bunch of waiters came and sang the Indonesian birthday song which I like a lot better than ours. It was an excellent evening.

April 1

Still at sea in the Red Sea. I hadn't realized just how big the Arabian Peninsula is until now. It took almost 2 days to go along the southern side of it. We have been sailing in the Red Sea since about lunchtime on March 30, and all the while going pretty fast for a cruise ship. We won't get to Al'Aqabah, Jordan until tomorrow. Then we have another whole day of sailing until we get to the Suez Canal.

At dinner, Ismet joined us again. Penny presented Margaret with a wonderful hand-made birthday card that Penny had made in the Arts and Crafts session this afternoon. It had miniature knitting needles with some miniature knitting on the front...very cute. Margaret was delighted with it.

There is an Arts and Crafts session just about every sea day. They make things like note cards, costume jewelry, key chains, bows for presents...all kinds of little things that can be done from a little kit with instructors to help. The instructors are Brad and his wife, Gloria. They have done this on long cruises for Holland America for a number of years. They have to plan activities simple enough to be done in an hour or so by people with widely varying skill levels, but still interesting enough to keep their attention. Then they have to gather and assemble up to 100 little kits for each project for each sea day. Even though I don't participate, my hat's off to Gloria and Brad as their avtivity is quite popular.