17: Rounded the corner to the Gulf of Aden

   November 15: 🚢Cruising the Gulf of Aden

Pool Deck casual - was like a private dining venue

A bit of a dilemma this morning when we caught up at Compass Rose for our morning "I'll just have a small serving" breakfast. We have a SCHEDULING CLASH. Got two appointments for 4 o'clock - an "international" afternoon tea in the Meridian Lounge and a charcoal drawing class in Chartreuse. The challenges we face.

Menu consternation at breakfast - I have reminded @Mac it won't be like this at home!

Had plenty of time to ponder a solution. Of course, post breakfast found us at the Coffee Connection (@Mac's obsession with the Nelson and perhaps a pastry, continues), at the jigsaw table elbowing for space as The World is drawing to a conclusion (didn't stay long cause there are a few hearty coughs surfacing - or maybe that's a ploy to clear the table - anyway, it worked.) 

@LoRi sauntered into the Constellation Theatre for a spot in the audience for the Iron Chef Competition.

Lots of laughs at the cook-off

This is a lot of fun. Three of the executive staff face off in a cook off (lots of banter and camaraderie exchanged) and three members of the audience form a panel for taste testing and judging. The judging is the best part - because there are lots of outrageous bribes offered.

I am actually not sure what @Mac did - but I am confident it wasn't the dance class, the bingo, creative crafting or cool by the pool. Maybe, it was something to do with building up his troops (you never know, maybe we can depoy them for the pirates!)

Walk and talk  ... still loads to explore

I went for a wander, a walk and a talk. Used the opportunity to visit a few outdoor spots on the ship (I do love the Infinity Pool) and managed to hook up with a few ladies at various venues for random talks, sharing highlights and laughs about our adventures to date. Even managed to tag on with a lady who was going shopping and we strolled through the boutiques together casually browsing. Got to look at jewellery, clothing and handbags without anything more than a gentle inquiry as to whether we needed assistance. This is the shopping experience I prefer.

Mmmmm,  I do like - beaded artwork - handbags by Mary Frances

We did all regroup in Chartuese for lunch and as usual, we're surprised by new choices and attempted to keep it light.

Afternoon options included the screening of the Speaker Series. A little different today - rather than a live presentation - @Prof Jean-Pierre Isbouts hosted a movie "The Mystery of the Last Supper" complete with a follow up question and answer session.

@Loraine and I toddled off to Art for a very ambitious charcoal drawing session. Again. loads of fun but what a mess. There was black charcoal residue everywhere - and it was so hard to remove (I couldn't follow up with any embroidery - cause I still had charcoal on my hands.) Did a lot of mark making, blending and smoothing - and somehow ended up with a lot of black stuff on the pages. @Loraine loved the exploration of this medium - it was new for her and now that she has had a "turn" sure she will certainly front up for the drawing session tomorrow - even though we were too late for the sign on! Spaces fill so quickly.

A messy affair at Art

And that was the conflict. Art or the special International Afternoon Tea. These special opportunities for an afternoon food fix are hosted daily (maybe just on sea days - I am not sure) in the Meridian Lounge and to date we haven't quite got there. The boys had "free time" so dutifully rocked up at 4 and scouted out the "best" treats and @Loraine and I ducked out of Art 15 minutes early and got the short version of afternoon tea. The savouries and sweet treats were divine - but I'd do it again for the CUP. It was PERFECT for our tea. Finding so many beautiful things on this ship that I would just love to take home with us.

So many delicacies. Act surprised at Christmas when I try the light/serviette flower

Now only had 45 minutes left to get through the showers and get dressed as we had a 6.30 pm meet up for cocktails and Sequence challenge. Were determined to make up for our previous losses - but only scored one win out of four games - think we might have to find a new game. Very casually dressed this evening because we wanted to take advantage of the glorious weather so set up on the Pool Deck for our leisurely dinner. Again, where are all the people because at our 8 pm arrival it felt like we had the place to ourselves.

A familiar pattern to the evening

Closed out the evening entertained by the dynamic voice of @Lorraine Brown. Yes, we were on the high stools at the back in an equally crowded theatre tonight and this performance was a fabulous set that had you entranced by the haunting ballads and clapping and joining in with the chorus of the Motown favs. I hope she has an encore performance in the days to come - this British performer is the soul queen of the trip so far. Were so motivated by the show, that we momentarily were tempted to form our own quartet in the Karaoke bar in the Explorer Lounge. That idea was summarily dismissed.

Comforting - pirates surely distracted by alternate offerings

Were very pleased to receive news from home via @Carolyn and @Grant about our safety. They have been tracking our movements with one of their "boatie people apps" and reassured us that, as reported publicly on the app, we had "armed guards on board" and that we had plenty of accompanying traffic on the seas in our area! Still kept our lights off and the curtains closed at @Captain Luca's request but did rest a little easier knowing that the pirates were definitely "spoiled for choice."

Final turn of the clock - forward one hour which now puts us on UAE time. Think that means we can snooze .... believe it or not we still need more zzzzs. 

Weather: 27 but very breezy and still that shroud of a dusty haze on horizon

Steps: well that's embarrassing 3094

#RegentSevenSeasExplorer #RegentSevenSeas #RegentCruise