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At Sea

We spent two days 'at sea' (as opposed to being in a port). However, there were many activities (beyond just 'eating'). Before our first excursion, Kevin wanted to 'check in' at the departure location (desk 5) first, leaving time to look for breakfast. Marina wanted breakfast first. (Kevin won out.) However, enroute to the check in we passed the International Cafe on deck 5. OOOHHH! They were open and had an excellent selection of foods for breakfast. So each morning we had an excursion planned, we would head out early and have breaskfast here. On one of those morning, Kevin noted a resemblance between Marina 'the explorer' and Dora the explorer.

An interesting note: Each deck has a 'name'. (e.g. Deck 16 was Lido.) Our cabin was on deck 15, and was named Marina. I told Marina that in her honor they named an entire deck after her. (I am not sure she believed me.) The benefit was, every time we arrived back on or deck, the elevator announced "Deck 15, Marina" as if to remind Marina this was her stop.

	Left - Marina ready to go exploring	Right - Dora? Marina?
		but then, that would cast Kevin in the role of Boots
When Kevin learned there was Tai Chi on board, he had to check it out. Using the cruise line app, he located the proper deck, but only saw people sunning in the deck chairs. Searching, he located 3 women doing Tai Chi (the Chinese Style Kevin studied.) But all three women were facing the same way and staying in sync. How? there was no Sifu or instructor stating the next movement. Kevin did not want to interupt. Whn he turned around, he noticed the HUGE screen towardsthe front of the deck. AH! There was the leader. (Kevin had noticed the screen the previous day as each evening it was used to show movies.)

Marina learned they had yoga. So of course she had to attend a class while at sea.

Several YouTube videos mentioned there would be shops onboard selling various items. There were a few sales of jewelrey, but neither Kevin nor Marina checked them out. However, whele enroute to an activity, Kevin noticed some art similar to wroks he had seen decades earlier (While at West Point) by an artist - Yakov Agam. Looking closer, the gallery did indeed have a number of works by Agam (Both Yakov and his son Rob).

Talking to the docents, Kevin learned there would be an art auction. While anything by Agam would be well outside Kevin's budget, art auctions are fun even as a spectator. So, Kevin attended the auction. Note: Kevin actually attended a number of art auctions while stationed in Panama and while at Georiga State University. He has purchsed art this way in the past and some works still grace the homes of Craig and Tami.

Kevin DID have fun (Marina was bored and departed for other activities.) Left unattended, Kevin got into the spirit of the acution and purchsed three works (below). Actually, he only purchsed two.

before starting the bidding on one piece, the auctioneer (who was doing a wonderful job) said e would start the bidding at $5. It was a large price (by Daniel Wall). For $5 (and it was a lovly piece) , how could I go wrong? I bid. . . others bid and the price climbed to $250 - still a steal. Kevin Won. The auctioner then said he was going to make a present of it to the winner (Kevin). So all three works are shown below.

On our second 'At Sea' day, the auctioneer (Patrick) spoke about the artist Peter Max. While the artist's style is not Kevin's preferred art, he attended the presentation. It was an eye-opener. While some of Peter's earlier works were the eye-popping genre Kevin remenbered, his later works (both artistic and philanthropic) varied greatly. It was definately worth attending.

Some of Peter's other works reminded Kevin of Van Goch, Ilyayev, Warhol, and other artists.

About Peter Max

Daniel Wall - "Splendid Life" - Lithograph

Ashton Howard - "Sundown Sails" - Dye Sublimation on Aluminum - Signed by Artist

Slava Ilyayev - "Rainy Evening" - Serigraph - Hand Signed

Marina tries her hand at putting

One of the activities we both enjoyed was at the onboard theater (or theatre for our friends across the pond). The crew performed a musical with sonds and dancing. The scene took place in a bar from the 'employees' opening the bar, to patrons arriving, then the end of the day closing. It was entertaining and we both enjoyed the performance.

Our itinerary