Day 8, at sea, Nov 7

Day 3 Atlantic Crossing

With some nice pitching again last night the sleeping was fine. Sometimes the ship seemed to be motionless then the bow would rise (we sleep head to the bow), slowly drop, our closet door would slide and the ship would shudder. Once I stopped the closet door it was rather enjoyable. Keep tuned for a future story of the closet door and the snake.

Routine now calls for the usual morning walk which today meant a 1 ½ mile brisk walk around the ship. On most, if not all Holland America vessels there is a teak planked lowed exterior promenade deck encircling the ship so one may walk 'round and 'round in the fresh air. On this particular ship four laps is one mile. Of course, when the ship is moving the deck rises, falls and tilts from side to side and the wind is blowing. In the daily position report note the “Apparent Wind” which reflects the direction and speed of the wind on the ship which combines actual wind direction and speed with the direction of the ship and ship speed. Today the apparent wind at mid day was slightly off the port bow at 40 knots so if one is on the port side one is in 40 knot winds. Walking into that could add to the exercise effort. Fortunately today, because one walks counter-clockwise by tradition, the port side is walking downwind. Starboard side is protected by the superstructure. 

The noon position today is instead the 12:55 pm position as I was at lunch at noon. After lunch I found our position to be 24º 20.28'N by 043º25.27'W on a course os 077º. Speed of 17.6 knots. Wind is NE at 20 knots. Depth is 3,910 meters, air temperature 25c/77f. Apparent wide is just off the port bow at 40 knots. Distance noon-noon (+1hr) 423 nm. Total voyage 2,273 nm. Distance to next port 1,548nm. Sunrise 0703. Sunset 1809. Nap time 1400. We passed the mid-Atlantic ridge.

We took lunch on the upper deck poolside then did whale watch. No whales to watch yet though. Our invitation du jour was to the Pinnacle Grill for Indonesian Tea at 3.

 

Indonesian Tea in the Pinnaacle

 Returning to the cabin I found another invitation had been delivered. Sea days are filling up with events, most of which involve eating. We now have Saturday night dinner at the Pinnacle with neighbors to celebrate her 94^th birthday. Sunday lunch at the Pinnacle hosted by Captain Smit and Hotel Director Oaks. Sunday evening is the Cellar Master's Dinner in the Pinnacle. Wow.

With this in mind we finished the day with classical music by Adagio, a light supper in the main dining room, a one hour performance by Jeff the Juggler and a good snooze.