There haven’t been sunrise pics in awhile since there haven’t really been any sunrises to speak of (at least not visible ones). So this morning was the first time to actually see the sun in the morning hours since before Shanghai. Not one of my best sunrise pics, but at least it’s a sunrise:
Today is much warmer than yesterday, already warmer at 7a than it got during the day yesterday. We’re basically on a south and slightly west path until we reach Vietnam, so the weather will be getting warmer and more humid each day. You can already feel the humidity in the air this morning.
Rebekah, I think you’re right about the pollution being a big part of why it was so overcast each day. It looked like smog to me, but when I asked people, they just said that no, it was just fog. I think it was a combination of fog and smoke (hence, smog) that made it that way for several days on end. Hoping we will get out of that as we progress further south away from China. China doesn’t have the same pollution controls we have in the U.S., nor do other nations like Vietnam, Thailand or India. You get to really appreciate unleaded gas once you have been to a country like India where they are still using leaded gas. It makes a big difference in the air quality. Factories as well. You just don’t see factories blowing out smoke in the U.S. like you do in Asia. I guess part of it is due to the shift of the manufacturing base, but it also has to do with pollution control restrictions.
Sonia, thanks for the feedback on the dog pics. You have a great eye for what makes a great pic. Here is the pic I entered in the segment three photo competition:
I took that pic when they threw the wreath into the water at Iwo Jima. The category for this segment is “Seascapes” and I thought that one was original enough and unique enough, plus I like the way the reflections in the water contrast with the flowers in the wreath floating on top of the water. And, if we want to get highly philosophical about a photo, it symbolically represents the reflections of all peoples from all lands upon the memory of those who bravely served. I’ll let you know if it garners any points.
Here is the current board of all the photo contest entries onboard:
The top photo (of the five children) won the photo contest in the second segment and the monkey photo won in the first segment. It looks like there are eight photo entries for this segment. Usually there are quite a few more that come in right before the judging (I think some people wait to see what else is entered first). The contest is judged by a panel of cruise ship staff, although I don’t think any of them work in the photo department.
We had a Cruise Critic meeting this morning, discussing our upcoming ports in Phu My (for Saigon) and Laem Chabang (for Bangkok). After the meeting, Karen Johnson told me a funny story about when a friend of theirs was in Vietman. As they were walking down a street, a man came straight at them, looking him straight in the eye, then reached out his hand like he wanted to shake his hand. When the man took his hand, he placed something in his hand. He looked down into his hand and it was two batteries. They looked just like the batteries he uses for his hearing aid. He reached into his pocket where he kept his hearing aid batteries and they weren’t there. Neither was his money. When he looked up, the man was gone. Apparently he had been pickpocketed by the man, who came back to return his hearing aid batteries. A pickpocket with a conscience?
We won at trivia this morning with a perfect 15 out of 15 (and no tiebreaker—whew!). Here are some of the more interesting questions: Eye for eye, _____ for _____, hand for hand, foot for foot. Tooth. What numerical term is used for a burglar who specializes in breaking into upstairs floors? 2nd story man. In classical music, how many symphonies did Brahms have? 4. This soul brother had a hit with Soul Power in 1971. James Brown. This epic poet is believed to have been born in Ionia in the 9th century BC. Homer. Henry the VIII had six wives, this Russian ruler had seven. Ivan the Terrible. What off Broadway show was based on the 1960 Roger Korman horror film of the same title? Little Shop of Horrors.
At lunch they had a nice ice sculpture. Not one of my best pics (reflection off the ice caused the camera to adjust darker), but you can probably figure out what it is:
We tied at afternoon trivia with 18 out of 20 and again (of course) lost the tiebreaker: What year did People Magazine start? 1974. We put 1976 and the other team put 1975. The two questions we missed: In what country can you get a corn fungus delicacy known as cuit lacoshe? Mexico (we said France). How many syllables in the second line of a haiku in English? 7 (we said 5). Other interesting questions: Name two of the three women featured on US currency. Susan B. Anthony, Sacajawea, and Helen Keller (we had the first two). What was the nickname of a women who took on a traditionally male role in the factories during World War II? Rosie the Riveter. How many times did Michael Jordan retire from the NBA? 3. Who sang the hit duet Islands in the Stream? Kenny Loggins and Dolly Parton. What was the original function of the building that currently houses the Musee D’Orsay? Train station. If Yuppies are young urban professionals, what are dinks? Dual income no kids.
Tonight was formal night (one of 9 during the world cruise). It was also the Captain’s Party before dinner where we got to meet our new captain, Andrea Poggi:
We had a good time at the Captain’s Circle Party (I was told to lean into the picture):
The Pacific Princess Singers and Dancers performed tonight in a show called Tribute:
James Campbell is the male lead singer:
…and Ketsia Poitevein is the female lead singer:
Afterward, we went to “Cruising Down Broadway Sing-Along” with David Crathorne:
Tomorrow is sea day #2 of 2 on our way to Vietnam.
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