6-8-14

6-8-14

Today was a sea day. Jonathan woke us at 10 minutes to 9 and served the fruit and orange juice Roger had ordered last night.  We had reservations for a Jazz Brunch in the La Cucina Restaurant at 10:00 a.m.  There was a buffet of “starters” that included a salad bar, fruit bar, pancakes, French toast and several dessert selections.  Once we returned to our seats from this selection, a menu offered main entrée’s.  Mary Jo was perfectly satisfied to have French toast and hot tea.  Roger ordered egg’s benedict in honor of his mother, who loved it so much.  After completing the “first portion” of his meal, he had a steak, to finish off the brunch.  He said he was so glad that he had ordered it; because it was the best thing he had eaten on our entire trip, so far.  I asked our waitress to let the chef know how much Roger had enjoyed it.  She returned a few minutes later and said the chef was very thankful for the compliment.

Leaving the restaurant, we began to walk around the ship, to familiarize ourselves with where everything was.  There are 13 levels, with multiple and diverse entertainment venues, restaurants and shops.  The large carry-all bag I had brought on the trip had torn (probably because of the weight of my computer, which we carry with us in case we find wi-fi somewhere).  So we went to one of the shops to try and find another bag.  Roger is SUCH a great shopper!  He always finds just the right thing for what I need, whether it is clothes or something else.  He also shops in half the time that I spend.  Sure enough, he discovered a red Norwegian shoulder bag with lots of pockets, that can be unzipped to twice its size, if need be. 

Next door was the jewelry store.  Roger stopped I front of one of the display cases that had emerald jewelry.  Before I knew it he had convinced me to try on a very expensive ring.  The salesman (a very nice young man whose name is Jai) could tell that Roger wanted to buy something for me.  Of course I conceded rather quickly once I had the ring on my finger.  It is quite beautiful, with a small delicate stone on one side of the setting and two tiny diamond leaves on the other side.  It is so unique, like nothing I have ever seen before.

Jai explained that all of their emerald jewelry uses only stones found in the county of Columbia, because theirs have the most clarity.  But Roger, who is well known for his frugalness, is very generous with me, was not finished with his purchase.  Jai showed him the matching earrings and pendant.  I was shocked and tried to resist, especially when I heard the cost.  Anyone who is familiar with Roger knows he rarely ever pays the advertised price for anything.  He takes joy in the bartering process.  Jai offered him a 10% discount, but Roger calculated a rounded DOWN, price, just a little less.  (With Roger it is “the principle of the thing”).  Jai said he would discuss it with his manager. 

So we soon met Farhan.  He knew a good deal when he saw one and quickly agreed to the lower price.  Both of the salesman were very courteous.  They said that it was very important to them that the customer is happy and pleased with the jewelry they purchase.  The “hard sell” mentality is not their style.  Our purchase came with an official valuation certificate from their company.   I had started to feel guilty having something so wonderful, when Roger walked over to another jewelry case that contained replicas of the famous Faberge’ eggs.  They are made with colored enamel coating, surrounded by imitation diamonds.  Roger asked to look at the emerald colored egg.  When you lift the lid on the top, it reveals a set of small connecting picture frames with the photographs of the royal family.  It was almost as expensive as my ring, but I was very glad Roger decided to buy it.  It is a wonderful Russian souvenir, which represents the “opulent world of Tsarist St. Petersburg in the years before the revolution”.

Earlier in the day, we had mentioned to our butler, Jonathan, that we had invited our friends to join us in our cabin later that evening (as our room was the largest).  He arrived about 15minutes before they did, with two plates full of food.  There were several different types of sandwiches and cheeses.  He also brought in a tray with extra cloth napkins and glasses.  We were so surprised and thrilled (as were our guests, when they arrived shortly after Jonathan had left).  It was such a generous and gracious thing to do. We had such a good time visiting with one another and sharing not only the food, but the drinks we had smuggles on board in our luggage.

We had to leave about 5:15, as we had received an invitation to a VIP reception in the Spinnaker Lounge hosted by the Captain Idar Hoydal.  When we arrived, we found a seat with a light above the table, as Rose was to join us there and she would be able to see better.  Almost as soon as we were seated, waiter came to our table and offered us cocktails or champagne.  Rose showed up shortly thereafter, wearing a gorgeous full length gown with silver and gold thread in the bodice.  She looked absolutely lovely.  Roger and I had certainly underdressed.  Once she was seated and had some hors d’oeuvres and a drink, an officer came up to our table to greet Rose.  He is the hotel manager and has known Rose from her many years of cruising on Norwegian Cruise Lines.  After hugging her and giving her a welcome, Rose introduced us.  He did not stay at our table for long, as the officers are expected to circulate among all of the passenger.  The reception only lasted for half an hour. Then someone put on some dance music and Roger and I danced together.  But we didn’t stay very long.  We were tired from staying up so late last night and hoping to get an early start on out visit to Tallinn, Estonia, tomorrow.