Cruising The Pacific Ocean en route to Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands – February 3

we've got a winner!!

Mostly cloudy, a bit of rain, 24 degrees

Sea day 2 of 4 on the way to The Marquesas Islands. We are 10 degrees away from the equator – slowly, slowly. We’ve travelled around the world a few times but have never been south of the equator. I’m excited to watch the toilet flush in the opposite direction!

A couple of days ago this ship and all other Regent ships changed its food service policy so that only staff can serve. Typically, the lunch buffet and snack times are self serve,

including a coffee machine; as of a couple of days ago, passengers can no longer serve themselves in efforts to keep everyone healthy. Sounds like a good idea, until you realize that inevitably, the person ahead of you in the buffet line will dictate exactly how much of and which parts of each items they want. If there is no line, it’s not a big deal for someone like me who is perfectly happy with whatever they give me from what I point at. However, if you like to pick a bit that would be a pain. With my pre-lunch, duo-listening beer I typically help myself to a bowl of chips…today it took me what felt like forever to just get CHIPS! Hardly the world’s biggest problem, but for crying out loud, all I want is a measly bowl of chips.

Hawaiian beer

BINGO was a success for Chris…he won the final game which is always a blackout game with the biggest pot – 140.00!

I’m pretty sure we are at the deepest point in the ocean that we’ve been at yet - 5500 metres – 18000 feet!

After our lunch from the Greek themed buffet at the pool, we were treated to an ice carving demonstration. A block of ice was transformed into a work of art in under 20 minutes. I’m pretty sure the guy who did the carving is the same guy who Chris and I watched with my parents on our summer cruise. We talked to a bartender about the carver. He told us that in The Philippines there are dedicated schools in one particular city or region (I can’t remember) to teaching carving like this and fruit carving, where everyone learns to carve. Our friend the bar tender said he is from that region and also knows how to carve.

won't take long!

Dbitty – sounds like pineapple in Ottawa might come from Costa Rica, and according to the Hawaiian pineapple people…of a lower quality and lower cost…maybe??? But was your Hawaiian pineapple delicious?? Location specific??

Pineapple vodka…I’m definitely making pineapple ‘infused’ vodka when I get home!