Phyllis Journal #7

Friday, February 25, 2011
It was another busy day today. This morning I went on the bike for 30 minutes. Then I got my hair done. It is getting long. This afternoon we played cards. Hand and Foot. It sure is a popular game on this ship. This early evening we watched Shutter Island with Leonardo De’Caprio. Carol and I really enjoyed it. Then about 9:30 we went to deck seven and watched square dancing with live music. It was really fun to watch. Also at 5:30 tonight I had extended family for dinner and we had oreo cookies. It was a big hit.

Saturday, February 26, 2011
Today did bike for 30 minutes. Played hand and foot this afternoon. Then to a talk on our upcoming trip to India. It will be difficult to use my left hand because that is a no no in India. Sometimes it is not fun being left handed. Tomorrow we will be in Port Louis, Mauritius just for one day. It will be nice to be off the ship even for only one day. After sailing it is nice to be on land. We got green sheet today and going on city orientation tomorrow.

Sunday, February 27, 2011
Got to Mauritius Island this morning. It is very nice looking from the ship – very lush and green. We left at 9:00 AM for a bus tour of the island. Went to a fort in the hills where they had cannons years ago to watch for undesirables trying to take over the land. It is very hot and humid here and rainy at times. From there we went to the botanical garden. Saw many old trees and flowers. After walk thru we ate a box lunch from the ship. All the shops here close on Sunday at 1:00 PM. I guess most of the people go to church. This is an island where wealthy people come to vacation (mostly European countries) like US go to Hawaii. Also things to buy are very spendy. Tonight we leave for India. Will not get there until next Sunday, another seven days on the ship. Carol and I are invited to the captains dinner on March 1, Tuesday. We sang this song on Friday when we met with our extended family for dinner.

Tune – Row Row Your Boat
Go! Go! Goes Our Boat
Round the World with Crew
Brett, Carter, Laura,
Mariah and Sarah
Three Old “Sea Salts” Too

Monday February 28, 2011
Today breakfast, bicycle. Read and then lunch. Tonight we are having snacks, wine, beer or mixed drinks with the faculty, lifelong learners and teachers and wives of teachers. It turned out very well and we made lots of new friends. Had a quick supper and then back to union for report on student that ended up in hospital from over drinking. Don’t know if he will be coming back to ship or not. Next we went to a very interesting women’s seminar. Most of the students are very polite and nice.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Went to breakfast, then global studies and then bike for 30 minutes. Played hand and foot this afternoon and then LL meeting. Tonight we were invited to the captains dinner. First I had a vodka tonic cocktail and snacks in Glazer Lounge at 7:30 PM. Dinner was served in the Aquamarine Dining Room at 8:00 o’clock. We had scallops on the first plate, then cream of asparagus soup, then caesar salad, the wonderful steak (Beef Wellington), garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus, green beans, carrots, bread sticks, wine and all you wanted to drink, then a chocolate dessert that was wonderful and very good coffee. It was all wonderful food and we really enjoyed.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Today we had three people leave the ship because of illness. We stopped in ocean by Diego Garcia Island. Boats came out to us. They got on ship with machine guns and a dog. Also a submarine was near us in the water. The island is owned by the Brits but the US leases from them. It has been used a lot by US to refuel and they have long runways. It is heavily guarded as we have used it as a military base. It is all top secret. After they cleared the ship they went back to island and two US boats came on board to pick up sick passengers they could not help on our ship. This afternoon we played hand and foot. At 4:30 PM we had our usual meeting. Tonight we turned the clock back one hour. We are now 11 hours ahead of you in MN. We will be getting to India on Sunday.

Thursday, March 3, 2011
We had global studies this morning with some interesting speakers on songs in India. Also had a speaker on trying to change water. Babies being born in a clean environment. This is in a small village of 40,000 people. In India there are millions of people but you have to start somewhere. Then I went on bike. At 2:00 PM we played hand and foot. I am also reading a book by Tami Hoag. A murder mystery with grade school children. At our 4:30 meeting we had a speaker on Hindu Dieties. He showed slides of different Hindu Gods. Then we had our extended family for dinner and an ice cream cake. Also some snacks from our trip on Mauritius Island. It is fun to talk with students. We meet every week or two and they are very friendly and tell us about other students. Interesting – another busy day. We sang this song with our extended family today.

Tune: Are You Sleeping Brother John

We’re not rowing
But we’re going
To Chennai! To Chennai!
Africa’s behind us
India’s a fine place!
Beat the drum!
Beat the drum!