April Fools and Hurricanes: Millennium Series 8


April Fools, Hurricanes and Queen of Dinning Room

We depart Puerto Rico, and head for the open ocean. We will not hit landfall again for 6 1/2 days, when we reach the island of Madeira, Portugal. Warm tropical breezes warm us as we say goodbye to San Juan.

After dinner we do a double header. We go to the live variety show, called Tropical Nights in the Solaris Lounge. Afterwards we take in an excellent movie " Hiliary and Jackie. This is a fitting end to a relaxing and interesting day.

Today Monday March 27th, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, my mother will celebrate her 90th Birthday. She is sleeping in after our late night, so I head for the dining room to arrange the Birthday dinner. I order champagne and the Stella staff will provide a cake. Then I scour the gift shop for a suitable gift.

Today a tour of the Navigation Bridge is on tap. The Enrichment lectures today are "Why invest? Why isn't Everybody Rich?" with Professor, Don Buck and "Foreign Policy of the US. The Clinton Administration," with Ambassador, Edward Marks. Both are very popular. The movie today is " Life Is Beautiful with Roberto Benigni an appropriate title for this special day.

As we enter the dining room my mother is greeted by Happy Birthday wishes. We join our tablemates, Father Jack and Clara. Champagne is poured and we toast my mother's health. George our waiter's service is excellent as usual. After another delicious meal, a cake is brought in and Alexandru and Tizu play Happy Birthday. The whole dining room joins in.

Father Jack and Clara present her with a crystal rose and I give her my gifts of a crystal bear and rose brooch. Mother is in her glory tonight. She is the Queen of the dining room. Of course dinner is followed by Showtime with "Comedian and impressionist Dick Kerr. Mother always wants to go too the live show, she has turned into quite a party girl. We are in high spirits as we finally head off to our cabin. After mother is settled in, I head up to the open deck to walk and enjoy the horizon to horizon stars that dot the inky Black sky. Then it's back to the cabin and dreamland. Kalinikta, Onira gllyka*

Days at sea are relaxing and we may just sit and read or be as busy as we wish, with all the activities offered. Someone spots a whale, but we have not seen another ship or any other sign of life on the sea. It feels as if it's just us, the deep blue sea and the wall to wall sky.

The copyright of the article April Fools and Hurricanes: Millennium Series 8 in Virtual Journeys is owned by Mary Ellen Bradshaw. Permission to republish April Fools and Hurricanes: Millennium Series 8 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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