Day 73: At Sea … Java Sea & Karimata Strait

Monday, 20 March 2017
At Sea — Selat Karimata

Stats @ Ship’s Time 10:40p (WIST) … UTC 3:40p (20 March)
Temp: 82F (27.8C)
Position: 1.37.09S / 108.22.28E

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need
it sorely on these accounts.  Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things
cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all of one’s lifetime.
~ Mark Twain ~

A great day at sea.  I have no idea what the temperature was, but I can categorically say that it was pleasant.  Once the veranda was in the shade, and the unexpected mid-morning rain shower was left in our wake, it was perfect weather to sit outside … light breeze, low humidity.  What more could I ask for.  No fumes, of course.  Well, there were whiffs of it every once in a while, but nothing that was bothersome.

After we returned to the ship yesterday, we stopped by the Canyon Ranch Spa.  When we stepped foot on Insignia in January, we were immediately credited with 15 points.  These points count towards the number of cruises that are needed to climb the membership ladder in Oceania’s loyalty program.  We skipped right over bronze and silver to become gold.  This membership tier comes with several perks, one of which is spa vouchers good for two services totaling $230.  Times that by two since we each get a certificate.  Of course, cruise line spa pricing being what it is, that amount doesn’t buy us much!

Instead of spending our precious time in Hong Kong taking care of our grooming needs, we decided to use the vouchers for haircuts and pedis.  Hence the visit to the spa yesterday was to get appointments.  Mui had already spoken with the spa manager who agreed to count our two cuts as one service and my pedicure as another service … we’ll use some of our OBN (non-refundable play money) to pay for Mui’s pedi and keep the second certificate to use next time we need grooming appointments.  We have plenty of OBN anyway, and I’d rather use it for something useful instead of for trinkets I don’t need.

Our hair appointments were this morning.  Julia, who hails from the Ukraine, did a very good job with both our haircuts and we feel human again.  The question, as always, is whether I can maintain the style for myself in this heat and humidity.  Time will tell.

Afterwards, I settled myself on the veranda.  Mui brought me lunch after he had his own at the Terrace Café, so I was able to spend the bulk of the day in my ‘sanctuary’ writing and polishing words for the blog.  Our first day in Bali is posted.  If the internet cooperates Bali day 2 and Semarang will be posted tonight.

Tonight we were in Toscana for dinner with another couple.  Of the two specialty dining venues, I prefer this one.  Italian cuisine is my downfall and I’ll take it over any other style of cooking.  The food did not disappoint … nor did the service.  However, the well-aged, thick, syrupy balsamic vinegar that accompanies the olive oil and cheese starter is no longer available … that is a shame … and hopefully temporary.

We lost an hour tonight — putting us on Malaysian Standard Time.  We might lose more time before the end of this segment as we make the loop around the South China Sea.  That’s OK … we’ll gain it all back again before it’s all said and done.

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