Friday, October 5th
South Pacific
Day 6
ms Westerdam
At Sea
Cloudy - 62 Degrees
Saturday, October 6th
South Pacific
Day 7
ms Westerdam
At Sea
Partly Cloudy - 68 Degrees
Sunday, October 7th
South Pacific
Day 8
ms Westerdam
At Sea
Mostly Sunny - 68 Degrees
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANCY!!!
Monday, October 8th
South Pacific
Day 9
ms Westerdam
At Sea
Mostly Sunny - 73 Degrees
The Pacific Ocean is the largest body of water in the world, almost 65 million square miles from the Arctic to the Antarctic and Asia / Australia to the Americas, covering one-third of the surface of the Earth, and nearly 50% of its water surface.
Wind and waves have been low, but swells have been high. Waves are generated locally in concert with prevailing weather conditions. Swells are generated far away by major weather disturbances. Ships can cut through waves, but swells can cause problems. These swells are from Alaska and they are slowing our progress. We will have to make up time to get to Lahaina as scheduled.
In these conditions, the water is like molten glass. It looks blue gel viscous. There is almost no texture to it all. The ship appears to be standing still with nothing against which to measure our speed.
We have continued our exercise regimens: miles around deck and laps around the pool. Ted and Tres make daily pilgrimages to the Hydropool & Thermal Suites.
Dr. Jack Hardy, Professor Emeritus of Western Washington University, has expanded our knowledge of the seas, lecturing on:
"The Tropical Pacific: Oceanography & Marine Ecology"
"Daredevils: Underwater Longer & Deeper"
"The Amazing Coral Reef"
"Pirates: Ancient Egypt to Modern Somalia"
The ship gets ESPN via satellite (intermittently), so we were able to watch the Washington / Oregon game. What an epic disaster. It couldn't possibly have been worse. Not a game-changer.
We celebrated Nancy's birthday in style Sunday night with two happy hours and dinner at the Pinnacle Grill. In her honor, we poured Little Black Dress merlot. It was a party!!!
2,200 nautical miles of open ocean behind us, the islands of Hawaii in front of us, we are looking forward Maui in the morning. Aloha.
Next Stop: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii
As always, we are thrilled to be traveling the world via your phenomenal blog! Nick is here with me today, on early release from school, and we just got up to date. The San Diego blog entry was the first time we had actually been to your destination (at least recently, as we were there last March). Impressed to know the waterfront is still as torn up as it was then. ;). The ship's accommodations look incredible, and your description of sailing into Vancouver was exquisite. Also, had no idea they had such a lovely riverfront walk in Astoria. Thinking fondly of you ask you bask in the sun in Maui.
ReplyDeleteWarmly,
Chryssa & Co.