Well we now have two nights when the ship has been pushed around by the 40 mph winds and waves which really did exceed the 18 feet the Captain estimated. This meant two rather sleepless nights but on the first night perhaps as previously mentioned the air con got stuck on high, which was not conducive to a good nights rest at all.
So this morning we were up a little bit earlier than usual whilst the clocks also went back by one hour and then forward by one day as we had crossed the International Date Line, which was noticeable as there was a blue line in the sea and an EU Customs Post with Mr Barnier holding up a blue flag and shouting Non!!
Overnight we had received an circular regarding the previously failed internet and as an apology they opened all the band width available to all guests and not only those in the more expensive suites and so we could start sending and receiving emails only. It was still rather slow and impossible to logon to either Lloyds Bank or AMEX to check the accounts, Oh the pleasure and frustration of internet at sea. I did try to upload one simple photo but that was going to take ten to fifteen minutes and so gave that up.
As we had pretty much stuck in the suite for all of yesterday as it would be potentially dangerous for us to walk about the ship which was going all over the shop. So after doing some stuff this morning and Jennifer spending time looking at her maps of Japan so that she can easily remember how to use them together. She has a map of japan with locations in English and then a Map of Japan with Japanese Language and can compare the two so that we can see where we are going. We will have a Sat Nav but often we do not want to go direct from one place to another but tour around and even divert to lesser roads and towns and try to avoid the motorways. By the way, the Motorway stops in Japan often look a bit antiquated but they sell pretty damn good food and perhaps the cleanest toilets in the world with most of them having the multi flush arrangement
For lunch we went to the see if the Patio by the pool was open, the bar was but not the food counter, however after 20 minutes drinking a Stella we both decided it was little cold and so headed down to the buffet in one of the restaurants. It would be very easy to overeat on the ships, and watching some people you would think they feeding their families as well, so perhaps we are little unique by just having Noel his Weetabix and yogurt and Jennifer her Muesli and fruit. Lunch time we have a sandwich and look at others eating their large bowls of pasta or piled high with so much stuff and I don't think the waiters believe us when we say after one plate, Yes thanks we are done.
In the afternoon we cheated and had zizzzzz to make up for the lost sleep of the two previous night and felt much better for it. Also they have finally sorted out the Air Con and we now have the right temperature for both day and night time..
Today in the suite was the arrival information for disembarkationvsk and immigration at Petropavlovsk and we are doing a tour called ‘The highlights of Petropavlovsk ‘ which should either be amazing or a let down. The alternative was a two hour dive to see a Kennel for Dogs, not quite Noels thing.
Glad to see Chelsea are still doing well and Hazard hat trick was good to hear about but unfortunately not see. The sea in the afternoon had calmed quite a bit since yesterday but the ship was still rolling about. We have not seen Jerry and Muira since the other night at dinner and I know she was concerned about the weather but hope they are OK.
We have also booked dinner tonight in the Italian restaurant and have pre-order the veal chop and at lunchtime today one of the staff came to our table to confirm that the Chef will take care. We talked to people on nearby tables which was interesting by sharing travel stories etc.
So we enjoyed the rest of the afternoon and and went for dinner which was really good and the Chef came out to check exactly what I wanted and the veal chop was amazing.
After dinner we went to the lounge bar and there was hardly anybody there, where is everybody?? and had a nightcap and then to bed and lose another hour.. Where do all these hours we lose go??? that is the question…
