DAY 82 - DAY SEVENTY FOUR ON THE CRYSTAL SERENITY

Before dinner last evening, we sat at the Crystal Cove and listened to Pianist John Mentis perform.   We ended up sitting with another couple.  Anne Marie knows the woman from Knitting and Yoga.  They are on their first Crystal Cruise.  They are from Memphis and we chatted back and forth about travel and where each of us lives and this is part of cruising that we really enjoy which is to get to meet others from various places not only within our country but from various places around the world.

We then had dinner in the Crystal Dining Room.  

We began our meal with appetizers.  Keith had Tuna Tartare which Head Waiter made for him.  This one was extra spicy but Keith did enjoy that.  

Anne Marie had Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail.

For our entree, we both had Ahi Tuna which was on the menu from the night before and Augusto pre-ordered that for us.  In retrospect, maybe too much Tuna and if Keith begins to look like a tuna you will know why.  The sommelier had prepared a Pinot Noir and that worked out very well with the Tuna.  We had our normal sides of vegetables too.

For dessert, we both had non-fat chocolate yogurt.


The Dining Room was relatively quiet with many empty tables.  Several guests were dining at either one of the three Specialty Restaurants or even their rooms.  

There was quite a bit on the entertainment schedule last evening.

Earlier in the evening two variety showtime performances were given.  They included Virtuoso Violinist Ian Cooper, Comedian & Specialty Performer Steve Stevens and by Christine Andreas who is a Broadway Sensation and a Tony Nominee.  The nice things about the variety performances is usually there is something for everyone and that was the case last evening.  All three entertainers will be leaving the ship sometime after we arrive in port tomorrow at which time other entertainers will come aboard the ship.  We attended this show and enjoyed all three of the entertainers.

Later in the evening was something that is done from time to time which is Liars Club which as noted in the daily program featured:

So-on-and-so-Forth Liar (Destination Lecturer) Ken Rees

Honest Liar (Rabbi) Morrie Hershman

Comedian Liar (Comedian) Steve Stevens

The guests participate in teams and a for that no one has probably have ever heard of is shown and then Ken, Rabbi Morrie and Steve give the definition of the word but only one of them is telling the truth.  You need the right three people to pull this off and these three fall in that category.

For those who wanted other entertainment there were additional choices available including a showing of the movie; Black Fish and there was dancing and also live music in several venues.

After a busy day we slept very well last evening as the Serenity sailed to Port Louis, Mauritius.  The seas remained very calm.

Keith was up first and got the benefit from setting the clocks back one hour.  He did his usual which included reading and writing, some laundry and getting a workout in the Fitness Center.

He brought some coffee back to the room for Anne Marie and we took a short walk together.  Anne Marie was up earlier too.

We had breakfast earlier than usual as we needed to go through a mandatory inspection with the local authorities and we had an early tour.

We took a private excursion that we arranged through Crystal Cruises.  The itinerary was similar to one that one would take on a group tour but by doing it privately we had not only our own vehicle but our own tour guide and driver.

The tour provided a nice opportunity for us to explore Port Louis.

Our driver and tour guide was Vinay.  He has lived here all his life and he works for the tour company full time.  With very few cruise ships that sail here a lot of their business comes from tourists who visit here by airplane.  He was very well spoken and provided a lot of good information.

Unemployment on the Island is relatively low at 5%.  If you want to work you can.  Much of the work centers around tourism.  Major exports include sugar and textiles.  Labor is relatively cheap.

A word about the weather.  It was hot and humid when out in the sun, yet the Summer is over.  We are used to the heat but it really was hot, hot, hot.

We visited the Tamil Temple, which is one of the oldest temples on the island of Mauritius.

This is the priest.  Before we could enter the Temple he asked if we ate certain foods this mornings such as eggs and beef which would have been prohibited.  Our cereal and banana was fine.

Our drive continued as we went through Chinatown.  Chinatown is quite small but there were a few streets mainly with restaurants and a few stores.

We also visited a former British Fortress known as La Citadelle which provided beautiful views of both the city and the port.

We wandered around a Market, which our guide took us to which locals frequent to purchase spices, fruits and vegetables.  Some of the fruits were local such as bananas, watermelon and dragon fruit and many vegetables were local as well.  However, other items that were sold come from South Africa, Italy and Pakistan.

This vegetable is called Pulkin.

We also walked a fish market.  We passed on the chicken market.  We also walked a spice market and also a clothing market.  The guide did not recommend any clothes as they are of poor quality and he said they were all from China.  

We liked this sign.

We also visited the Caudan Waterfront Commercial Center as well as the Eureka Colonial House, which is one of the most historic colonial houses found on this island.  It was built in 1830.

A short while after we returned to the ship, Keith was introduced by one of the stewardesses that we know (not ours) to her parents and sister.  They are from Mauritius and it was so nice they could not only visit the ship but see where their daughter works and most importantly to spend time with her.  It brings a tears to our eyes thinking about how special that is. There are several stewardesses from Mauritius.

We enjoyed lunch at the Lido Cafe.  We saw Cruise Director Rick and he joined us for lunch and a short while later Captain Birger sat with us as well.  It was really nice to chat with them.  

Later in the afternoon, Anne Marie walked for an hour and Keith also worked out.  

We also did most of our packing for our upcoming Safari since the next three sea days will be busy with activities and then we go on the Safari the morning we reach our next port of call.

This evening we are back at the Crystal Dining Room.

TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY…..

"Gratitude is riches.  Complaint is poverty." - Doris Day

Keith & Anne Marie