This is a test - how and when to post photographs

Bored? Never!

Monday, January 14th, 2019

I mistakenly gave the impression that we have only 1 tv channel.  Not true.  We have BBC, ITV, RTL (the German station) as well as other sports channels and movie channels, with films today in German, Spanish, French and Japanese.  The last is a bit curious as we are not going to Japan and have no Japanese guests.  

We also have a station which shows the lectures given in the theater during the morning and early afternoon.

Today, I attended a Zumba class at 09:15, followed immediately by a line dancing class.  We went to the Verandah restaurant - a semi-private restaurant on deck 2.  We have vouchers for a lunch at the Verandah or a dinner at the alternative dining - Thai, Indian, Aztec (Mexican) or the chef’s version of American barbecue.  

Then I attended a lecture about American foreign policy , another dance class, dinner and spent an hour trying to log on to the internet.  The satellite is apparently tired as it did not work until now.

So, in answer to the question, “Don’t you get bored?”  I am rarely bored and never on the ship.

Unfortunately, the photos did not load.  Will try again later tonight.

One tv channel

We get updates every 30 seconds or so, including maps of our current position.

At sea

January 11th, 2019

We have now gained 2 hours and some people forgot to set their clocks back.   

They show up too early for lectures or classes and the buffet is full at 8 because people think it is 9

Tonight is the first of MANY cocktail parties.  I like to get a “mocktail” with lots of fruit and ginger ale.  Once a paper umbrella is added, it looks real.

So, this morning I have done a quiz (got one point less than the winner - whose last words (1999) were supposedly “ I will finally see Marilyn”.  Joltin Joe.  I thought Arthur Miller but could not remember when he died.

Later there was a very thought-provoking lecture about America’s place in the world, especially from the end of WWII to the present.

Dinner, no dancing tonight as I have to post this plus photos.

Photos did not load.  Will try early in the am.

Weather

Once we left the dock in Hamburg, we encountered strong winds which increased during the night.  We rocked and rolled until about noon today.  At times the wind gusts reached 60 mph.  I slept through it, although I did hear doors in the adjoining staterooms banging from time to time.

The (very) GRAND ELYSEE, Hamburg's finest hotel

Waterfall just off the main lobby

Some of the art on display

Awards the hotel has won for training the next generation

2nd floor lounge in front of the lifts

The world comes together at the Grand Elysee

Packed and (almost) ready

Leaving here tomorrow.