DAY 8---AT SEA

        This shows the coast line of South America that we will be sailing offshore in the Atlantic Ocean.  Trinidad & Tobago, which we just left is at the top and Macapa, at the entrance of the Amazon River is at the bottom right. 

                              After departing we sailed along the norther coast of Trinidad

                           As we sailed away, there were some oil platforms offshore.

                                             Two of these tugs followed us out of the harbor.

LAST EVENNING

       They had decorated the theater for the Oscars show which was televised on the big screen.

        Gerwin is my "go to" bartender in the Stars Lounge.  He takes very good care of me.  We enjoyed cocktails and canopies from 6 to 7:00, as usual.

            Made (pronounced with a short A) from Bali, was our waiter the last couple nights.

                                   Celso has been our sommelier also last couple nights.

        Had to have one food photo.  This is miso glazed Chilean sea bass with sticky rice.  I ordered this special the day before and asked for two pieces.  This is actually on tonight's menu but we are going to Prime 7 for dinner tonight with the Food & Beverage Director and Head Housekeeper.  We love this entree,

        After dinner I went to bed but Rebecca and Jane went to the theater for a glass of wine and to watch the Oscars.  She said there were very few people watching it.

TODAY

        Last night we turned our clocks ahead another hour.  So now we are 3 hours ahead of Central Time.  Very rough seas last night and today.  I got up in the middle of the night and put on my wrist bands.  Acupuncture bands it help prevent sea sickness.  After getting up this morning I put half of a  scopolamine patch behind my ear.  This also to prevent sea sickness.  I have never been sea sick but don't want to be either.  I cut the patch in half as a whole one makes you drowsy. 

        Rebecca had her usual scrambled eggs delivered by room service at 8:00.  There was a lot of eggs so she shared some with me.  Later I went to the Coffee Connection and got her an Americano coffee and me a muffin.

       No treadmill for Rebecca today as it would be very difficult to stay on it with this ship movement.  Does not look that bad but there are swells.

       Pippa, the Cruise Consultant, was to make a lecture on future Regent cruises at 11:00, but just before 11:00 Ray made a PA saying it was cancelled because Pippa is sea sick.  Instead a documentary on the rain forest will be shown in the theater. 

        This is our position at noon today.  We are passing the country of Guyana.  It is mostly sunny with some clouds.  During the noon weather and position update on the PA, Captain Loris said we are 130nm off the coast of Guyana and doing a speed of 17.4 knots.  We are now basically 1/3 of the way to the Amazon after leaving T&B yesterday.  The sea swells are 11 feet and wind is 20 to 25 knots.  The ocean depth here is 7500 feet.  It is humid and 81 degrees.

        After the noon PA we headed up to La Veranda with Jane for some lunch.  Today they featured a "Tex-Mex BBQ Lunch" at the pool grill.  I filled my plate and went inside to eat it.

                                                            Not bad but better in Texas!

        I went to the theater at 2pm for Mike West's lecture titled "Castles of Steel".  Mike is a retired Navy commander and this talk was an in-depth look at how the mighty battleship developed over time,

        I stayed for Brian Unger's 3pm lecture titled "The Spirit of Ginga: Exploring the Heart of Brazilian Culture".  Brian's lecturers are really good.

        At 6pm we will head to the theater for the Seven Seas Society party.  We'll grab a cocktail and wine prior at the Stars Lounge.  They will be serving wine, champagne, and cocktails at the party but I want Gerwin to make my Manhattan.  Captain Loris and Pippa are to host the party but Pippa was sea sick this morning.  We'll see if she has recovered.

        Here is tonight's Compass Rose menu.  We will be dining in Prime 7 (steakhouse) with Donald (the Food & Beverage Director) and Estrera (the Chief Housekeeper) at 7pm.  I have our Lawry's lemon pepper ready to go!

        The guest entertainer at 9:30 is featuring Craig Diamond. He is a magician and comedian.  Not a big fan of magicians so probably sit at back of the theater in case we want to leave early.

        Tomorrow is another day at sea and the weather forecast and sea condition is supposed to be about the same,