We were back in the Crystal Dining Room last evening where we were taken excellent care of by the superb dining room wait staff.
We began our meal with a Caesar Salad which Head Waiter Augusto prepared for us table-side. We had pre-ordered this with Augusto. Augusto prepares Caesar Salad differently than Bojan but we enjoy both. Anne Marie likes hers less spicy so he first put hers on a plate and then added some additional spice for Keith's salad and Keith had a larger salad in a bowl.
There was a choice of two main fares seafood entrees in addition to Turkey, Steak, and other alternatives such as Chicken. We went with a favorite of ours which was the Swordfish Steak "Uttanesca" which was accompanied with White Beans, Black Olives, Capers, Rosemary Roasted Potatoes and Shallot-Garlic Butter. Augusto had spoke with the chef and had arranged for our swordfish to be prepared butterfly style. This is the first time we had it this way and it was quite good. We also didn't have the Garlic Butter and just moved it over to the side.
We also shared sides of peas and asparagus and Keith had a Baked Potato.
For dessert, we both had the Freshly Frozen, Nonfat Cookies'n' Cream Yogurt (Keith had part of it) and of course Keith had his mixed berries.
He purposely had some items such as the Yogurt and the Baked Potato (plain as he always does) to pick up certain vitamins where he had deficiencies when his electrolytes were out of balance. The doctor had also advised that he increase his salt intake as well.
We knew that our Senior Waiter Ayan will not be on for the full World Cruise as he has already been on board for most of his contract and forgot until Keith asked that he will be going on a well deserved Holiday at the end of this segment of the World Cruise. He actually will return after the end of the World Cruise and we will still be on board as we will be sailing on two voyages beyond that.
We saw some Japanese families in the dining room for people who might have joined the ship sometime in the middl of this segment and the children were so very well behave and so adorable. There are about 15 children on board right now and all are just a pleasure. It just adds to that family feeling on-board the ship.
Over the course of the last several day in Japan, there were many visitors to the ship. Crystal is owned by NYK which is a Japanese Owned Company and has a lot of roots that extend to Japan. There was a nice send off for the ship last night as we left Nagasaki, and the Captain reminded everyone that the first Crystal ship (Crystal Harmony) was constructed in nearby Nagasaki.
Last night featured not one but two types of performances. The Tourist which features illuminate was shown once at 8:00 PM and with a duration of 30 minutes the time was right for both those dining early and late. Since several people have already seen this who are already on the Full World Cruise there was also another option with was two performances by Variety Pianist Kim Purling at 8:45 PM and 10:30 PM respectively. Of course, one could also see both The Tourist and Kim Purling perform.
Since we had already seen the Tourist and we were tired from getting to sleep quite late the night before we decided to pass on the evening entertainment. We also gained the benefit of turning the clocks back one hour as we are sailing into yet another new time zone.
We slept very well and caught up on some of the sleep we had missed from the night before.
Keith was up first and made his first return to the Fitness Center since his medical episode. He was back on the Elliptical Machine but he didn't do as intense workout as he normally does and he also brought a bottle of Powerade with him to have while he was working out along with some bottled water.
There is a running joke, particularly with several women on the ship, that there are eyes all around the ship watching Keith now and that is what Anne Marie also reminds Keith. So, he knows that he needs to take it slow and not push as he normally does. Several of the women have taken it upon themselves to give Keith motherly advice with a couple of them threatening Keith that he will be in big-time trouble if he does not listen. So with the fear of the eyes and the additional mother's Keith now has he didn't push it too hard. He did a 45 minute workout, and did it at a more moderate pace. He did enjoy getting back to the Fitness Center. There is a spin class scheduled for today but Anne Marie has reminded him that he promised no spin classes until the next segment of the World Cruise.
Shortly after his workout, Keith went to the Lido Cafe for some coffee. He didn't have any donuts but took this photo anyway.
When Keith finished up at the Lido Cafe he brought coffee back to the room for Anne Marie. After freshening up, we both went on the one hour morning walk, with Keith dropping out about half way into it to run some errands on the ship.
Shortly after Anne Marie returned from her walk, we had breakfast in our room as we watched the daily morning show. There were two trivia questions on The Beatles and Keith knew both but just called in on the first one which was what is Paul McCartney's first name and it is not Sir. LOL.
Today is a sea day as we sail to our next port of call at Shanghai, China. As such, there were lots of activities on the schedule for everyone to enjoy.
There were three lectures on the scheduled; two of which we watched when they were rebroadcast. The first one was on Shanghai and then the second one was about South Korea and how democracy has been working there.
Being a sea day there was also Team Trivia which was our third game of this segment of the World Cruise. We got 9 and 1/2 right but messed up on a couple. We were one of the few teams that new the first and last names of the first German Automaker.
For lunch, we had our traditional lunch which was a salad entree. A highlight for today was a Sunday Jazz Brunch Buffet which was beautifully set up outside the Crystal Dining Room. As guest entered the dining room, they were assisted by the waitstaff who held their plates and seated them at a table.
In the afternoon, we both walked outside the ship for one hour as it was 55 degrees outside. Anne Marie also attended Yoga which she has been thoroughly enjoying. At the same time Keith met up with dear friend Bob.
This evening there is going to be two performances by a group from Liverpool that plays the music of our favorite all-time Rock N' Roll Group - The Beatles. The timing is perfect given that it was just a little over fifty years ago that The Beatles flew across the pond and made their American debut on The Ed Sullivan Show. Each of us remembers this moment as if it was "yesterday".
TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY……..
"All we are saying is give peace a chance." - John Lennon
Keith & Anne Marie
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