The sun has been hiding all day. Downright downpours masked it for rather long sections of time. Although the grey mist sometimes enveloped the ship, the sea was calmer than it's been for hours and hours.
We attending a 2:00 PM lecture in the Vista Lounge. It was given by a retired professor and US Naval Captain. He provided background on the categorization of the islands of Oceania. Now, I know the true definition of an atoll. I grow smarter each and every day, I guess. I'd venture that many people may not be able to think of any specific fact or theory learned in their last 24 hours. I'm blessed by being in situations where I can constantly get smarter if not more modest. It's good to know there's no limit to brain capacity. Well, I don't think there's a limit to brain capacity, is there? I'm pretty sure there's no limit to mine!
Holland America Lines is trying hard to keep us entertained and informed. The daily schedule of events contains a lot of things in which I'm not terribly interested. I don't really want to learn how to play bridge. I don't want to do yoga in the gym. Sadly, I was too lazy to participate in the 'Run for Cancer' around the exterior of Deck 3. I was not keen on learning how to create a Hawaiian lai, but the guest Hawaiian troop of entertainers already disembarked in Honolulu. However, we do go to the shows on the main stage after our time in the dining hall on most evenings at 10:00.
We continue to steam (or more accurately diesel) west/southwest. The navigation screen now indicates we are not far from Christmas Island but Jay couldn't spot any land with the binoculars he brought along. We have another three days of the sea before arriving at American Samoa. I'm almost exploding with happiness at the very thought of our continuing journey.