Lifestyles of the rich and famous.

Do you remember that show, narrated by Robin Leach? Some days I feel like I'm watching that show "live". I already know what you're thinking.......everyone on this ship is rich, right? And regardless of how you define "rich", you're probably right. I addressed the subject on the last formal night, remarking how the attire and the diamonds resembled the academy awards. I agree..... present company excluded, of course. Hold that thought.

I digress. It was the the first of 5 sea days today. That's a long stretch as we traverse 2600 miles from Hawaii to Tahiti at 23 miles per hour. I did the math....that 4.7 days.

Sea days for me are work days in the early part of the day. Given our 5 hr time difference with the east coast, I get up early (5am) to maximize time with my coworkers. I work consistently on the Lido deck now, on the quiet side of the buffet. I get the best internet there. As the tables fill up, people will often ask to join me and of course I say yes. I love to speak with people. (If you know me, you're not just nodding, you're practically having a seizure). Today a nice couple from Canada joined me for maybe 20 minutes while they ate a very sensible breakfast. Let's just say a sensible breakfast on a cruise is the exception. The breakfast buffet on a cruise reminds me of the circus act where seals balance plates on there noses while riding on the back of an elephant. It's kinda like that. But I digress. This nice couple shared with me that, though doing the full 111 day cruise, they are leaving the ship in Singapore, flying to the far east for 2 weeks, and then rejoining the cruise in Oman. I asked if the cruiseline provided a credit since they wouldn't be drinking or eating (yes, in that order) on board for 14 days. No, no credit. I assumed this was an anomaly and went about my day as normal. 5.5 hrs of work, a light lunch, 1.5 hrs on the elliptical, 30 minutes in the sauna, another small loss at the casino and then dinner.

At dinner, we're at a new table as our waiter was reassigned so we followed him to a table of 10. We sat with 4 other nice couples who are all fairly well traveled. As it turns out, 3 of the 5 couples are also leaving the ship for 7-14 days, all at different ports and rejoining the cruise later on. As they all describe their rationale, it makes sense. But I simply never considered the option. This cruise is such a treat for us...a once in a lifetime. I couldn't imagine leaving paradise to go to another paradise while still paying for the first paradise. I can't get the math to work out. Despite the inherent extravagance of such a trip, I'm still so frugal at heart. I'm wondering, if we become avid cruisers, if our perspective will change. Something to think about.

Dinner was salmon over fettuccine Alfredo. I hear princess is famous for their fettuccine alfredo and I can tell why. It was outstanding. I'm sure they'll have it again. Dessert was a chocolate cookie a la mode. I decided to order khalua with it and after it all arrived, I poured some of the khalua over the dessert. Others decided that looked good and followed suit. I think the newbie taught the well-traveled a new trick.

After dinner, we went to an amazing show with a special xylophonist who used 5 batons at once to play an amazing array of music. It was very unique.

Now preparing for the next day. Thanks for reading to the end. Till tomorrow.