We're more than halfway to Hawaii at the moment. Crossing the Pacific this way is more of an accomplishment than I had anticipated. We are not novices at crossing this ocean. However, up til now, we've always been in a steel tube hurtling at 30,000 feet. Today, we are at the surface managing a meager 15 or 16 knots/hour. This way, I'll readily admit, is a whole lot more comfortable.
For the second time, we set our clocks back an hour at bedtime last night. It didn't seem to make any difference as we still got up at about 8:00 am. We walked after eating. The MS Noordam and her sister ships have an exterior walkway around Deck 3. All sorts of dedicated strutters flaunt their stuff there. The distance for three trips around is a mile. We never do that as the immense expanse of water calls our attention. Or the deck chairs do.
As we're travelling a bit south as well as west, the air is slowly getting warmer each hour. Today averaged around 72F. I was by the pool for less than an hour yesterday and ended up with a sunburnt face. Today, my time was longer but during many of my moments, fluffy clouds covered any direct sunlight on my skin. I sat in one of the mid-ship's hot tubs too and continued reading my book.
I wish I could truly share the joys of travelling this way. To the uninitiated, cruising may not sound enjoyable. It really is. These ships are amazing and time aboard provides a memorable way to move about.
Life is always what one makes of it, but I have to say I'm immensely enjoying these 'days at sea'. I wasn't sure I would. It's good I do. After spending five days getting to Hilo and then Waikiki, we chug across the remainder of the Pacific. There are five additional days listed before we get to American Somoa. Yet, that includes a day that isn't. It's a day that isn't a day as we have to skip one on the calendar when moving over the International Date Line. I'm in such a blissful mood that the thought I'm being cheated out of a day doesn't concern me at all.
