Yesterday, we began to figure out our best \u201csea day\u201d options.\u00a0 We like an early breakfast at Blu.\u00a0 I like to head to Caf\u00e9 al Bacio where there\u2019s a nice view, and assorted coffees & teas, and I can catch up with news and sports from home and work on the blog.\u00a0 I usually like to follow up with some table tennis till I get ready for a late lunch.\u00a0Back in the room after lunch, I go to work figuring a way to post pictures with really slow internet.\u00a0Eventually, a nap wins out.<\/p>\n
Judy has been experimenting with the Reflections Lounge for her hangout to read and listen to podcasts.\u00a0There was a little piece of excitement for her today.\u00a0 The captain had mentioned that we would be meeting someone this afternoon?\u00a0 Around 3:00pm, the ship began to rapidly slow down and turn.\u00a0 From Judy\u2019s vantage point, she saw a small boat speed away, toward a larger ship.\u00a0Several of the guests around Judy said they saw guns being loaded onto our ship?\u00a0 Guns??\u00a0 I guess they\u2019re serious about the pirates.\u00a0 I had also played table tennis with a guy in some type of military security uniform (before the maneuvers).<\/p>\n
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My conspiracy theory is that the captain was practicing some type of evasive maneuvers.\u00a0 Apparently we have a fast ship, so out-running the pirates is also in the playbook.\u00a0 I think the guns were loaded at sea, because it wasn\u2019t allowed in Aqaba.\u00a0 I wonder if they\u2019ll have to be taken off before we get to Oman?\u00a0 Oman and the UAE are not friendly with each other right now.\u00a0 Yemen is totally at war with Saudi Arabia and the UAE.\u00a0 Lots of geopolitical intrigue these days (mostly in my mind).<\/p>\n
Tonight is the first of three \u201cL.O.V.E. nights\u201d (Lights Out Virtually Everywhere).\u00a0 It\u2019s their creative way to deal with blackout procedures.\u00a0 The top decks are totally closed.\u00a0 Curtains are closed in all cabins, restaurants, lounges, etc.\u00a0 Lights are dimmed everywhere.\u00a0 The blackout runs from 6:00pm (dusk) to 6:00am.\u00a0 We are nearing the Gulf of Aden where most of the pirate activity has taken place in the past.\u00a0 Sudan and Somalia are to our west, and Yemen is to our east as we cruise this section of the Red Sea.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been able to keep up a little with the Cowboys and Mavericks.\u00a0 I guess all is well in DFW with recent big wins by both teams.\u00a0 Of course, since we\u2019re 9 hours ahead, I don\u2019t get the scores until around 6:00am.T<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Yesterday, we began to figure out our best \u201csea day\u201d options.\u00a0 We like an early breakfast at Blu.\u00a0 I like to head to Caf\u00e9 al Bacio where there\u2019s a nice view, and assorted coffees & teas, and I can catch … Continue reading