Day 6 - January 8, 2025 - Wednesday - Sea Day

 We were up early again this morning, around 5:30.  Kay went down 5 decks to the gym and I went up 1 deck to get my coffee.  I found that a cup will hold a latte PLUS a double expresso.  This is my new morning beverage!  After acquiring my caffeine fix, I went up one more set of stairs to the sun deck.  No sun this early but it was a quiet place to get in an early morning walk.  It was just myself and one other gentleman.

As the sun began to rise, it made for a very relaxing walk.

After breakfast, the rest of the group went for a presentation on "Life in the Deep Sea" by George Sranko.  As I previously mentioned, I did not enjoy his presentation style so I am passing on his lectures.  I instead walked another mile, this time on the promenade deck, deck 2.  I do plan to join the others at 11:00 for another Lecture with Dr. Hackbarth on "The Creation of Polynesia".  

After my walk I started composing this post, it is 10:00 AM and I'm watching Fox News coverage on the California fires.  I still can't believe we were in this very area only 3 days ago.  

We have finally got some live TV feeds although the signal occasionally breaks up, still it's not so bad being over a 1000 miles from land.

Since there is not a lot exciting to show and tell while at sea, I'll share some photos and information about our ship.

This is a photo of the Theater where most presentations and live entertainment takes place.  The sound system and acoustics are fantastic, and I am very critical, due to my poor hearing.  Both Carl and I agree that the audio is excellent.  My only complaint with the auditorium is the seating layout.  The seating is very generous and there is plenty of space but, there is not enough incline between rows (except in the very back two sides) to be able to view the stage over the person in front of you.

Dr. Hackbarth gave a very informative and enjoyable presentation about the Polynesia Islands, of which the Hawaiian Islands are a part.

We had lunch today in the main dining room, appropriately called "The Restaurant" .  The photo below shows only a small section.  The division into sections allows for a more intimate and somewhat quieter atmosphere. 

We are beginning to get into a routine, and have pretty much established regular serving staff.  We usually have the same servers for breakfast and lunch.  For dinner the servers are different but always the same. 

The food has been great, with the exception of a problem Janet has encountered.  She is trying to avoid all caffeine and they have NO caffeine free colas onboard.  This perhaps would not have been so irritating except she called Viking's customer service beforehand to request caffeine free drinks and was assured it was not necessary, they would have them, well they don't.  After complaining several times, her room steward did deliver a couple to her cabin.  She still has been unable to obtain one from a bar or restaurant.  Hopefully, this will be remedied in Hawaii.

Below is our position at 2:48 this afternoon, a little over half way to Hawaii.  This display is avaliable on our cabin TV.

At dinner this evening I was able to get photos of our regular servers, two very nice and capable men.

Aquil on the left and Danu on the right

After dinner, we attended this night's live entertainment.  We were treated to the best ventriloquist show I have ever seen.  Don Bryan who has been performing for 40 years.  All of Don's characters are his own original creations.  I have seen several ventriloquist who were good voice projectionists, but Don also had a fantastic skit.  It was a very enjoyable program.

Tonight we turn the clocks back another hour.  We are now 5 hours behind Atlanta.  This should be the last time change for a while.  We will be traveling more south than west.

Until tomorrow...