Swimming Birds

Day 09 - The Pacific Ocean is vast and somewhat intimidating because of its size. We're now well past halfway to Hawaii. We've been across a lot of water, a whole damned lot. The engines of the MS Noordam keep up a mechanical beat that propels this massive floating hotel moving west/southwest. The ship is huge but seems a tiny speck when on all this water. I've been surprised by the lack of other traffic. With global trade and our proximity to China, I thought we might see others on the sea. Hardly any other ships have been visible, perhaps two at most today. So much water though!

We did see a bird today. It was alone, flapping eastward. There's nothing that way for days. I felt sudden sadness for the lone creature. Was he blown off course? Can he stop to float and gather up his strength? I love being here but it would be less enjoyable without the company of these other 2800 people.

Sailors of old may have been brave but they also must have been a little unhinged.





There's lots going on in the MS Noordam. We are provided with many types of entertainment including shows in the evening. The first was a professional UK group singing oldies. Later, as is the tradition on Holland America Line, we attended the show put on by the Indonesian staff.