Finally...

Today was a relaxing day at sea, finally! Seems hard to do much of anything constructive. I slept well and had breakfast late and met some interesting people to chat with once again. I'm glad the passengers are so friendly this trip, it is not always the case. Breakfast was the same food, lunch was delicious sandwiches I remembered from before on this ship, and I broke my rule not to have dessert anytime except dinner and had a delicious caramel tart. I read a while and slept more and had a wonderful dinner at Sabatini's with Jenny and Bernie. The food is incredible and you only get a spoonful of each so you really don't get full until the end of the meal, they doubted me, but agreed I was right at the end. Such delicious food! Jenny spent some time visiting in my cabin, although it was too cold for her to sit on the balcony tonight. I love the balcony and the sound of the ocean so I leave the door open often.

Last night walking through a hallway I saw a crew member I knew from 2 past cruises. He remembered me so I got a nice European greeting kiss from him and we spoke for a while about where he had been and what he'd been doing. He is from Poland and is the manager of the Shore Excursions Dept. so he is already reserving my front seat on the one tour in the Azores that is along quite curvy roads. I'm not taking that many tours with the ship this time, but it is nice to know the manager. His name is difficult to pronounce so he said I could just call him my friend. It is always nice for me to see people smile when they see me. Whether itis a good thing or not to be remembered so well, is questionable, although he assured me it was a good thing. Very nice man, has been on the ship for 10 years.

I got clearance today to go ashore and spend the night on the Lisbon stop. I will get a list of instructions the night beforeI get off and I was told about going through immigration and customs to stay overnight on land. Such a big deal for a night, but I am glad that it is that organized. I even have to tell them where I'll be for the night, which is probably a good thing, and we do already have our hotel reserved in Bayona, Spain. I feel safe with the procedures they require. I hope it doesn't delay my disembarkation that day because I am very excited to get off and see César again.

That is the update for today, not much, but the way it is supposed to be on vacation!