I have just spent two wonderful days in Lima, Perur, but will save that for the next blog.  Meanwhile, back to . . .

Monday, 15 April 2013

Day at Sea
I enjoy a specially-made breakfast of fried eggs, sausage, potatoes, and croissants before attending a lecture on the political history of Chile, from the 18^th to the 21^st centuries.  The lecturer, a retired university professor who shall go nameless, offered a monotonic overview of the cataclysmic changes Chile has suffered through three centuries of upheaval.  Today, Chile is a successful democracy with a thriving economy based on manufacturing, mining, and exports.

The long-lasting conservative hierarchy that stifled the lower classes was finally voted out of power with the rise of President Allende.  Unfortunately, his leftist leanings led to disastrous meddling by the CIA that led to his overthrow and the establishment of a right-wing military junta under General Pinochet.  The recently released film, “No!” is about the plebiscite that finally ousted Pinochet and his fellow generals.  All of this could have been made exciting and vibrant, but the lecturer was simply boring.

The tediousness of the lecture drove me to an early lunch in the Rembrandt Dining Room—I have decided to stay away from the hubbub of the Lido Buffet whenever possible.  The ship is sailing northward very smoothly and I feel no need for any kind of seasickness aid.  The outside air is becoming significantly warmer although skies remain overcast.  Sunrise is very late—about 8am—but that will change as we move the clock back one hour each of the next two nights. 

Tonight is the first formal night, which simply means a tie and sport coat for men.  You see very few tuxedoes these days.  This is the Captain’s Gala Dinner and the reward for dressing up is a free glass of champagne.  I have decided to do a five-bottle wine package (on which I receive a significant discount for having sailed on Holland America so many times), so I shall have a very happy happy hour tonight.

I will post menus and food information on a separate page (look for the tabs at the top of the page on the blog), so those who aren’t interested don’t have to spend time reading.

Tuesday, 16 April 2013

Another Day at Sea
I wish I could say I was getting lots of rest on the few sea days we have, but there is so much to do on board (besides eating) that it’s difficult to miss any of it.

The morning began with the first “tragedy at sea”—ice cold eggs Benedict in the Rotterdam Dining Room—twice!  This was a real surprise given that the food on board Holland America is usually hot and well prepared.  I gave up after two tries and settled for pastries and fruit.  I did receive a nice note of apology later in the day in my stateroom, accompanied by a plate full of hand-made candies.  Maybe not a “tragedy” after all.

Sailing continues to be very smooth, even for the small puppy that I meet on my walks on deck.  He seems to be the only doggie on board, but his owners tell me he is a quite adept sailor, and finds the sea air bracing.  Today’s highlight is a cooking demonstration by the original (and still) owners of Le Cirque restaurant in New York.  They prepared two of the restaurant’s most famous dishes:  Cold Lobster Salad and Crème Brule (which they claim to have invented in its modern form).  The couple has quite a comedy routine, playing up the stereotypes of Italian family life.  Ordinary lunch in the Lido Buffet was routine after that demonstration, but I will be enjoying a Le Cirque menu in the Pinnacle Restaurant on Thursday night.