May 19, 20, 21, 2015, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

Tuesday

We cruised the Tasman Sea on the way East to New Zealand.  The seas were  rocky, but manageable. We lost one hour the first day, and another the last day.  The winds were too much to relax on deck, so everyone was out and about doing the various activities aboard ship.  We even had enough people to play Bingo.  Bridge was 8 tables.  I decided not to go to the bridge lessons so I was able to attend the lectures.  One was on early sea travels and explorers by Don Campbell, the lecturer we  had all cruise. The other was by Terry Bishop about Botany Bay and the settlement of convicts from England to Australia, New Zealand, and at first, to the Virginia colonies.  Sam Delong is still teaching iPad tips, and Becky is teaching Mahjong.  Both are volunteers.  It will be interesting to see if they might get compensated in some way since they have attracted as many cruisers as bridge and the art classes.  The artist in residence, William Ritzi, has been very popular.

In spite of having to give up an hour's sleep, the sunrise was also later in the morning and stunning.

Sunrise on Tasman Sea.

Wednesday

We have had three lectures by Terry Bishop about Fitzroy, Darwin and the Beagle entertaining us about the ships and people who first came to Australia and New Zealand, making usss visualize the ships and life on board.  For example, Darwin stayed in the chart room with two others, probably swinging a hammock over the chart table that took up most of the space in the room.

Bishop's favorite book every is: This thing of Darkness by harry thompson.  

This week in the world bikers in Waco Texas ended up 9 dead and 18 wounded in a shootout in a parking lot where someone allegedly ran over someone elses foot.  The stock market Dow Jones Industrial is at 18312.39.  And there was a huge earthquake in Nepal.  Over 6,000 people perished, and many more injured.  

Thursday

After a day of port lectures, chef demonstrations and bridge, I watched the magician again.  He did two of the tricks that come in his magician kit.  I sure hope I can figure out how to do them.