The Captain spoke about our last port of call and he also spoke about visiting Bom Bom island. This island is all about the beaches but he warned everyone to be careful if they go into the water. Crystal first visited this island as part of the 2011 World Cruise and it was very popular with the vast majority of guests. We were not on board for that part of the World Cruise but people we know called it one of the highlights in terms of places that they visited during the cruise.
We dined in the Crystal Dining Room. We often go to other restaurants on Black Tie Optional Evening's but we decided to cancel our reservation at Silk Road and dine in the Dining Room. The dining room was quite busy as it is very popular on formal nights.
Photo with our Head Waiter Augusto.
We began our meal with Salads and then for our entree we both had the Grilled Tuna. We asked for it medium rare and when she put the plates on the table our Senior Waiter, suggested that we cut into it. She made an excellent recommendation because as soon as we did, we realized it was rarer than we preferred. She took the entrees back to the galley and notified Augusto and she also took back the side order of vegetables. Within a few minutes we got new entrees and they were cooked the way we preferred them.
The Grilled Tuna seemed to be prepared in a more fusion type of style which will be featured on the menu starting with the new cruise. It came with a Tuna Poke Spring Role, Japanese Rica and Apple Cider and was quite tasty. We had several side orders of vegetables.
For dessert we both went with the sugar free Rhubarb Cream Cheese Pie. It was delicious. Keith also had some mixed berries.
Augusto came by with the menus for the next night and after looking them over Augusto offered to make us one of his fabulous Veal Dishes with Pasta. We couldn't say no. LOL.
We passed on the show last evening deciding that we would go to sleep earlier.
We forgot to mention that we browsed a couple of the stores yesterday as they are running sales on several items as the company who currently operates the stores is being replaced by another company starting on April 12. Keith was able to purchase a shirt that had been selling for $95.00 for $10.00. For women's clothing they had a special that if you bought one item you got the second one free. Coincidentally they carry a particular brand and style of bathing suit that she wears and they were marked down from $200.00 to $30.00 because of the 2 for 1 sale she got 2 for a total of $30.00.
We crossed the Equator at approximately 3:00 AM this morning. We didn't feel a bump as some say you will. LOL.
We slept very well last evening as we sailed towards Bom Bom Island. We love that name and everyone pronounces it differently. It sounds like Candy to us. LOL.
Keith was up first and after reading and writing since there was no Spin Class he did a full workout on the Elliptical Machine. Afterwards, he stopped by the Lido Cafe for coffee and then brought some back to the room for Anne Marie. We then walked an hour on the Promenade Deck.
We had breakfast in our room and then got ready to visit Bom Bom. This was a Maiden Port Of Call for Crystal in 2011 but we got off the World Cruise in 2011 and missed the Island.
The island is indeed beautiful and we went over there in the morning on a tender. It is all about the beach. The Island is relatively small and measures less than one Kilometer in overall diameter. There is a walkway bridge which takes you to another part of the Island.
We have been to many Islands over the years and this Island has that look and feel of a Pacific Ocean Island. However, it is even more pristine than any of those Islands and has to rank up there as one of the most beautiful Islands we have seen.
The island has limited facilities. There is a small resort there that Crystal made arrangements to use and it included a medium sized swimming pool; beaches restroom facilities and showers. The beach was very nice and the water temperature was perfect.
It is absolutely amazing, and that word is an understatement, what the crew did for us today. They had loaded up two tenders the night before and then in the morning they added other items such as ice. The shear magnitude of the items they brought out is just unbelievable and just for us to get out of the tender at the island and make it down some wooden steps was not easy but to think they had to carry all of these items onto the Island is just unreal. They had several tables, brills, gigantic bags of charcoal, tents, food which included hot dogs, hamburgers, buns, condiments, salad, fruit and cookies plus beer, bottled water and other drinks too.
Then throughout the day more food and drink kept being brought out to the Island while trash and other items was taken back to the Serenity. The crew was dripping wet from doing this incredible job for us and the were led by Hotel Director Josef who was working non-stop and carry items himself. Our Head Waiter Augusto was very involved setting things up as was assistant Executive Chef Christian, Bar Manager Florent, Food & Beverage Manager Tayfun and a countless number of other people. Ships photographers were in perfect areas to get photos of us. It was absolutely incredible.
We walked around on our own for about an hour and even purchased a couple of items at the little store. Yes, we thought a cap and shirt from Bon Bon Island would be nice to have. How many people can say they visited Bon Bon Island. We then saw several good friends, Elaine and Peggy and Sal and Linda and sat together in the few chairs that were available right near the beach. Later in the day we ate on the Island. We had our first Hamburger on the cruise in many years similar to what they make at the Trident Grill and it was tasty and juicy. We loved it. We also had some salad to go with it. We enjoyed a lot of good conversation with everyone and a little later friends Jim and Judy joined us.
We ended up staying about four hours and had a most glorious time. The world we live in is very diverse from the largest of cities to some very small islands such as Bon Bon. We are very fortunate to get to see these places through our own eyes.
Shortly after we got off the tender we walked a short ways and the locals handed each of us a drink. We didn't drink it and gave it back but did pose for a photo.
A view of the Crystal Serenity after we stepped on the Island.
Whenever we visit a beach Anne Marie tries to find a sea shell which she will add to our collection.
We then walked on another bridge over to this Island. Anne Marie was way ahead as I was taking photos and this was another guest just ahead of me.
This is a view after we got across the bridge. There were about ten villas and Crystal rented out around six of them to provide restroom facilities and places to change.
Some locals danced and sang for us. Keith also took video when they were all standing and will add it to an iMovie he will make sometime after we arrive home.
Most people who swam did so from the beach but a few people used the swimming pool.
The crew did a lot of work to set things up for all of us to enjoy. They are just the best.
On the left Hotel Director Josef who never stopped working and with his back to me Food & Beverage Manager Tayfun.
Our Head Waiter Augusto on the Left and Christian, assistant Executive Chef. Christian used to be the head Chef in Prego and we just loved those additional seafood entrees he would prepare. Everyone was working hard but Keith asked Augusto and Christian to take a moment to post for a photo.
Anne Marie with Bar Manager Florent
After getting all of the hard work done with respect to the set up many of the crew changed to crew outfits.
The crew never stopped working. Can you imagine lifting these types of items in and out of a tender. This was just one of so many items that was brought over to the Island and then returned back to the ship.
Later in the afternoon, we both took a long walk on the Promenade Deck and talked about how wonderful today's time on Bon Bon Islands was.
This evening will be dining with friend Ileen who we road over with on the first Tender to the Island this morning.
TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY….
"In the book of life, the answers are not in the back." - Charlie Brown
Keith & Anne Marie
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