This Sunday was a strange day. We put the clocks back another hour to GMT+5 but the UK put their clocks forward for British Summer Time to GMT+1 which Mark had forgotten about but his Fitbit (which always has uk time) hadn’t and had adjusted automatically. This caused him all sorts of confusion especially as room service was being delivered at 8:30 ship’s time.
By 7:15 he was out on the balcony and had worked things out but was well awake by now and, of course, Pam was still well asleep.
Breakfast duly arrived at 8:30 but although we had cut down it still required 2 trays due to Pam’s assorted Melon plate and danishes plate - she only had a cereal as well and no hot food.
Pam went to a lecture by Dr Kate Schroeder who was talking about the history of aboriginals in Australia and how through their bones dugged up during redevelopment of cities and towns. They were able to date the remains between 35,000 and 65,000 years ago. Also she spoke about the art found in caves(evidence of some art we saw in the caves in Uluru) How the art told stories as well as showed what life was like then. Tomorrow’s talk is about reconstruction of faces using just the skull on bones that are thousands of years old. She has such a fascinating job.
We both met up for the next lecture by Ian Macfayden. It was about how comedy has to adapt over time and things that were perfectly acceptable, and even the norm in the past, being a complete no go area now. Think back to Benny Hill and 70s comedians doing racial impressions. This led to the question of whether comedy is dying to woke culture and the answer is that is adapting with the same jokes being done but restricted to people mocking themselves - disabled people taking on disability jokes and racial jokes done by people of that race etc… All very funny and informative. We also sat next to Andrew who we met the night before and agreed to see him and Diane later for the Music quiz.
We went back to the cabin for Pamela to be greeted by a nice flower bouquet, for Mothers Day plus 1 week, from our girls. Pam was delighted but puzzled how it occurred especially as the note and wording was from the girls. Mark explained the girls had planned it a while ago - in fact they wanted Mark to pick up a bouquet on Mothers Day in Australia but he vetoed that saying moving flowers around the country would be a nightmare and trying to food and/or plant stuff between states is a no go. So a plan was hatched that Mark would order the flowers once onboard and provide the message they supplied and the ship would do the rest. Simples. Except make did it when half asleep (we were very tired remember) and left off the delivery time so I guess they went with noon. Anyway, Pam was no longer confused by the flowers and Mark was no longer confused by the time so all was good.
Pam’s knees are playing up a bit so we decided to go for our first swim on this cruise. We went up to the indoor pavilion pool which we had all to ourselves. We also spent time in the jacuzzi and relaxed poolside on the loungers. Definitely felt more relaxed but also more tired.
We entered the Carinthia lounge for the music quiz but we were a little early and they were still serving lunch. Their lunches, like all food on here, is dangerous as too tempting. The good news here is that the food is small plates. The bad news is that Mark took 3 plates (a toasted Cuban sandwich with crisps; a seafood collection; a small pot of chocolate and caramel mousse). Pam had 2 (a flatbread with bacon and other bits on plus a chocolate eclair). Diane joined us for the quiz, minus Andrew who was in the final of a casino tournament. We came 2nd with 32 but highlight was the Aussie lady marking our sheet was making astonished comments out loud throughout the marking process and ended by saying “you guys are friggin awesome” in her fantastic accent. We may let her join us in future for morale purposes.
After the swim, the food and being awesome we obviously deserved a nap so that is what happened next up until dinner. We have never napped so much on a cruise as we have on this one.
So while we nap we can do our ship tour section. We have gone from the Atrium area on deck 2 all the way to the forward (front) of the ship now. So we need to go somewhere else and as we are here we shall go upstairs. The rear of deck 3 has the same warren like corridors of windy corridors and rooms (these are private though) as deck 2. These ones are mostly displays on the history of Cunard and the QM2.
The main venue back here is the planetarium (Illuminations) also used to show films and hold some lectures.
We are awake again and it is time to shower and get dolled up for the masquerade ball. This is the outfit Mark wants to wear.
This is the outfit Pam says he must wear.
And here is the invite with her justification.
We went to dinner and were sat on table 666. Ominous. We were sat next to 2 Australian couples on were on the 6pm fixed seating plan. What were they doing up here in our section. They got on in Perth and get off in Cape Town and have been sat at these tables every night at 6pm. We were confused but didn’t solve this one but chatted happily to them instead.
Afterwards we went to the Queen’s room which was decorated for the ball.
As you can see though, it is a little dark. Mark even snuck his koala mask on for a bit. Pam got chatting (who Pam, never!) to a couple from England who had come over on the Queen Victoria and spent a little time in Oz and then back on QM2. Apparently there are about 30 passengers like that plus around 40 passengers from Arcadia. This ship has picked up people everywhere and is currently only 80% full (so around 2000 passengers onboard) though it feels empty. I doubt there are that many that did the whole world cruise.
We had internet again today but reception was poor so just managed basic calls home. Internet is probably one of Cunard's weakest aspects.
We moved the short distance to the G32 venue to see the party trio Habit To. The lady singer and lead guitarist was superb and great at leading them but the other guitarist was very wooden and the drummer did not seem to have much personality.
The Show this evening was a variety show with Nathaniel Rankin juggler and magician and Indigo May a Celtic sounding harmony female duo act. Both acts had performed on different evenings previously and this time they had half the show each. Nathaniel performed lots of juggling, magic tricks (including razor blade swallowing and then bringing them back up) and a little bit of comedy with audience members. Very different but enjoyable. The ladies sang 4 songs ranging from Ava Maria to Westside Story. Very enjoyable too.
After that, bed. The swim didn’t help.
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