Last day

It's Wednesday and another sea day and my final day.  Yesterday was another typically great sea day with the exception that we traversed the straights of Gibraltar.  Interesting having morocco on one side and Spain on the other.  Unfortunately it was a bit hazy so photos of the rock of Gibraltar are poor.  But  there were whales and dolphins swimming around so that was fun.

The previous night they did another outdoor party with the band playing by the pool.  They had the heaters on as it got a bit cool but still a good turnout.

Tonight is the last formal night and I've been invited to a table of 10 or so.  People have been amazing, very friendly and lots of fun.

I can't believe the weather.  Someone mentioned the forecast is for rain in Barcelona but this morning is perfect again on board.  Except for some reason we seems to have been infested with bees.  They are everywhere.  We were a few miles from shore yesterday, could they fly that far or did they come on in Madeira?  I don't know.  They seem pretty mellow.

Last day of trivia.  We did ok today but overall finished 10th out of 12.  But luckily everyone got a nice prize of an umbrella and visor.

Back at sea

It's Monday and we are back at sea.  It was a really nice sailaway from Funchal.  It's a pretty island with the homes lining the steep hills, and there are lots of other islands, mostly uninhabited that we sailed by,  it started to cool off last night as a few of us sat out.  

I have to say that I've joined the smoking crowd!  Smokers get to know each other well because there are so few places they can smoke.  The group here are quite fun and so sometimes I get coffee or a drink and hang out with them.  It's a hilarious group and it's outside so it never really seems smokey.  

Back at trivia today I'm upset with my team.  I gave them one of the answers for the 200 point bonus question but they didnt believe me.  What two countries that are landlocked by other countries that are landlocked, thus being doubly landlocked?  I suggested Lichtenstein but mr know- it-all said it bordered Belgium.  We had the other one, Uzbekistan, and we really could have used those points.

It is cooler today but didn't stop having another nice afternoon on deck.  They did a big lobster BBQ lunch which people went nuts over.  It looked really good and another example of something you won't see on most ships.  Then there was some music on deck, wouldn't have minded if they played longer.  

Closet land is now morocco, that's pretty cool!  Tomorrow afternoon we will pass the rock of Gibralter, close enough to see it apparently.

Booze cruise

It's Sunday and we are in Madeira.  Yesterday had a booze theme,  the whiskey tasting was followed by tequila cocktails pre dinner.  There was also cognac and cigars under the stars late at night.  I didn't try the cigars but did try some cognac.  So I was a little slow to get going today.

It's a very nice day in Madeira, around 23 degrees.  I was going to do an organized walk but it left at 830 so I knew i wouldn't be able to make it that early.  So I walked into town around 11 and took the cable car to the top of one of the mountains.  There is a really nice botanical garden there.  Strange because it is in a Japanese theme...just seems out of place but I still enjoyed it.

More awesome music

The mix of people on this cruise has been really good.  Yes there are some elderly but there really all different ages from all over the world.  Two South African couples that I've gotten to know stopped me yesterday morning saying that they were talking to the musicians about doing a special party before the guest musicians roger and Ollie get off the ship in Madeira.  And they did in fact convince the cruise director to make it happen.  So at 11 last night the amazing house band along with these two played an hour and a half of unrehearsed jams.  It was one of the best musical experiences.  They were doing their own thing, having a blast, doing everything from micheal jackson to some funk.  And the word got around to the guests so it was packed in a small room. It was fantastic...all started by the guests!

Continuing the party theme, tonight pre dinner the mixologist is hosting a tequila tasting.  This will follow his talk and tasting on whiskey this afternoon!  Omg!

On the negative side, the captain announced that there have been cases of noro virus on board so they are busy disinfecting the ship and serving at the Buffett.  

I went back to trivia and actually helped answer one questoin but the Mason Dixons ar pretty much at the bottom of the standings!

Wine tastings and more nice weather

There is a guest onboard who runs a small winery in California.   She hosted a wine tasting out on one of the back decks.  Seabourn did a complete setup and spread including cheese, fruit, appetizers and tables and table cloths.  With the sea as the background it was a stunning setting. The weather has been really nice.  As we moved quite far north everyone was expecting it to be cool by now but it was 26 and sunny today.  Seas are calm today with just a gentle rolling...it's very pleasant.

I was at another hosted table last night, this time it was Ollie, the guest sax player.  He was great and the table was nicer then some of the others I've been to.  I've met a lot of people that way though. After that it was name that tune! The team i joined finished third out of about ten.  I was surprised by the attendance.  I would say the crowd is younger and more out going than other ships.  

We lost another hour last night so we are now 4 hours ahead of eastern time.  I think we will loose one more tomorrow night before Madeira.  

Music

I didn't have high expectations for entertainment on board but it has been very good.  For starters they house band is excellent and play a variety of music from jazz to pop.  Afternoons by the pool they sometime have music, two days ago the guitarist and singer played and were excellent,  last night they had the band playing at night for a deck party which was very well attended.  So nice to have warm nights when they can do this.

They also brought on good talent,  one singer was one of the original leads in the lion king in londons west end.  He did some broadway numbers but also some Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye etc.  They also have a young Brit who plays the sax who is also great.  It makes a big difference when there is really enjoyable music on board.

They had a fun and games event on deck yesterday afternoon.  Pretty corny but still fun and a change of pace they do try hard.

I went to trivia again today but so far have still been no help at all.   It didnt help that we lost another hour lsat night, and another tonight,  time for a nap!

Mixology

I went to dinner with the bridge instructor.  Yeah it's crazy here!  She was nice and has her husband on on board.  Second marriage for both, as they were both widowed but met on match.com...in their 70s, 12 years ago!  There were people of equal age to her on my other side at the table and no one could hear. So I spent most of the evening telling one about what the other said.  It was a bit tiring!

After dinner A woman at the bar was not impressed with a drink.  She ordered a Hemingway daiquiri which , when she got it, was not like the one she had previously had.  I saw her again today, Wednesday and she told this to there head mixologist, who also works for Thomas Keller at Per Se in NYC.  When she described how he made it he was not impressed.  I think Juan the bartender might get a scolding...or worse!  This mixologist is on board to train the bartenders...they take it seroiusly here.  He is also on the food network...Brian van Flandern in case anyone knows him. He gave a talk and tasting on rum today.  He was quite good.

Also at my table last night were a couple from Atlanta.  They invited me to join their trivia team today.  I've never done trivia but did go today to join their team, the Mason Dixons! Unfortunately I didn't help them at all so not sure if they want me back.

Seas had moderated today but the captain says we will have some swells all the way to Funchal.