Around the World Again

The Panama Canal – January 9, 2018

The commentary for our transit began about 6:30. Since it was being broadcast in the hallways as well as “my deck” (in front of my cabin), I got up, dressed quickly and went out on my deck to watch us head towards the first of the locks, the Gatun locks. There is a series of three locks that raises the ship to the level of Gatun Lake.

Since I only had 4.5 hours of sleep, after the third lock I picked up a glass of orange juice and a Panama roll, returned to my cabin and went back to bed.

Time for team trivia at 11:45. Trivia is being done a little different. The winning team does not get a prize. Everyone who participates (on sea days only) gets a coupon worth 10 cents toward an Amazon gift card. Twice now they have given out the HAL pins but these were for everyone who participated. We had 9 correct with the winners having 11.

1) What is John Leach famous for making?

2)       In what moving did Bogart say, “We’ll always have Paris?”
3)       What does the word “piano” mean?
4)       In the computer world, for what does “dma” stand?

After trivia I tried the taco bar for lunch. As on the Westerdam this is still self-serve. I ate with two of my tablemates, Cyndi and Ed.

Then it was time for me to swim in the canal. Not literally but I went swimming (in the pool) while we were in the canal. After swimming for a half hour we were approaching the Pedro Miguel locks so I got out to watch. I was going to swim some more but at that point we had a downpour.

When the short rain storm was over I went up to my deck to watch us head into the Miraflores locks. After passing we were able to see part of the new locks.

Afternoon trivia gave us 12 correct but the winners had 13.

1) Gorgonzola cheese is from which country?

2)       What is Shakespeare’s longest play?
3)       Which country has the second largest Carnivale after Rio?
   4)       In which Disney film will you find a character called “Bongo”?
   5)       What is the capital of Catalonia?

While I was getting ready for dinner my DVD player was returned (I hadn’t even noticed it was gone). I have also received a note that Housekeeping is going to measure my windows for drapes which will be replaced during the dry dock immediately after the world voyage. Today I moved up in the Mariner’s Society (HAL’s loyalty program) to 3-star. The invitations for the Captain’s Dinner went out today. Everyone on the WV is invited on one of the Gala Nights to eat in the Pinnacle Grill. I am part of the first group which will be this Friday.

Dinner was really good. I had scallops, Boston ale flat iron steak and pineapple crisp.

The show was excellent and called, “The Piano Men”. It included music from Billy Joel and Elton John presented by the members of Abba Fab.

We are anchored off of Panama City. I plan to sightsee on the Hop-on, Hop-off bus tomorrow.