DAY 9---AT SEA

 YOU CAN VIEW THE PREVIOUS BLOG POSTS I MADE IN FEBRUARY, ON THE  "BLOG ARCHIVE" TO THE RIGHT ABOVE AND UNDER OUR PHOTO.  JUST CLICK ON "FEBRUARY" AND THOSE POSTS WILL POP UP.    ALSO FOR BETTER VIEWING OF MY PHOTOS, CLICK ON THEM TO ENLARGE.

        This is our position at noon today.  We are passing by the southern coast line of French Guiana and about off the northern coast of Brazil.  Here is something I find interesting about French Guiana.

Today its economy is based on the near equatorial Guiana Space Center, the European Space Agency's primary launch site.  From physics we

we learned that it is easier for space vehicles to obtain Earth orbit if launched from near the equator. (I never took physics, if the truth be known.)
        Devil's Island, which we passed by last night, was one of the most infamous prison systems in history.  From 1852 to 1953 the French sent prisoners here.  A vast majority of the more than 80,000 prisoners sent to Devil’s Island never made it back to France.  Many died due to disease, beheadings, and other harsh conditions.  The only escape was by water and few did due to strong currents and sharks.  The prisoners came by prison ships to Kourou on the mainland to be processed and assigned to work camps or solitary confinement.  Most of the movie, “Papillon” was filmed on the French Guiana mainland prisons but near the end it was filmed on the islands.

        I got side tracked with the above so here is the rest of our Captain, noon PA.  It is mostly cloudy with passing rain showers and 81 degrees.  Wind is gusting 20 to 30 knots and the ocean swell is still 8 feet resulting in the same rocky ride as we had yesterday.  Forecast is the same for tonight.  Sure will be glad to get in the Amazon River.

LAST EVENING

        At 5:45 we headed to the Stars Lounge to get drinks to take into the theater for the Seven Seas Society party.  We were greeted at the door by the assistant Cruise Director, Alex, Captain Loris, and Nicki, the General Manager. 

                                              Ice carving is of an "R" for Regent cruises.

         As Pippa was still sick, Ray took her place and introduced Captain Loris to start things off.  But first let me tell you what the Seven Seas Society is.  Once you have sailed with Regent you are enrolled and members receive benefits depending on how many nights they have sailed.

        After the Captain welcomed us, Ray gave the following stats on the number of guests on board that are in each category:

Commodore--------2  (over 2,000 nights on Regent.  Marcia led with 2722 nights)

Diamond------------5  (over 1,000 nights.   We are Diamond members with 1044 nights)

Titanium-----------16  (400 to 999 nights

Platinum-----------41  (200 to 399 nights

Gold--------------121   (75 to 199 nights

Silver-------------120  (21 to 74 nights

Bronze--------------5  (7 to 21 nights

                  The ship's production show cast then entertained us with some ABBA songs.

Ray then sang, "My Way".

        Following the party we went back to Stars Lounge for another cocktail before heading up to Prime 7 for dinner at 7:00.

        We had been invited by Donald (Food & Beverage Director) and Estera (Chief Housekeeper) to dine with them.  We have known Donald, from Honduras, for years and is a good friend.  This is our first cruise with Estera, from Serbia.  It was a great evening with them.

             I got everyone's name cards from the table and took a photo of them this morning.

        The chef bought this ribeye out and a filet for Rebecca.  I then put some Lawry's lemon pepper on both sides before the chef grilled them.

     Estera and Donald had this as their entrees.  I did not hear them order but think it is halibut.

Our sommelier was Putu again this time in Prime 7.  He had Rebecca's La Crema chardonnay.

        Donald had saved this Cline zinfandel for special guests.  It was a very nice, big red wine which I very much enjoyed.

        We got to the theater just after the show had started.  It featured Craig Diamond, a magician/comedian.  We lasted about 10 minutes before leaving.  Not our cup of tea!

TODAY

        Up at 7:30 this morning for Rebecca's 8:00 breakfast order to arrive.  I got Americano coffees again for us and a blueberry muffin for me.  I worked on the blog and had it done up to this point but somehow I deleted it after returning from lunch so had to start over from the beginning.  Bummer!!!!

        Again today it was too rough for Rebecca to do the treadmill.  I went to Brian's 10:00 lecture on the Amazon.  Fascinating lecture. 

              Stayed for Mike West's lecture on Navy aircraft carriers.  Not so fascinating.

        We enjoyed some lunch in La Veranda again today.  Rebecca is now in Jane's room replaying yesterday's Bold & Beautiful and The Young & Restless soaps from her Paramount Plus app.  I am working on the blog to finish today's post.  I spend a least 4 hours every day doing this for you.  I do enjoy it however.  Some day we will be too old to travel comfortably so I can read my blogs again and "travel" that way.

        Lots of activities on sea days but we choose to just relax in our suite.  Our plan for this evening is about same as usual.  Cocktail hour 6 to 7:00 followed by dinner in Compass Rose.

Tonight's menu---We will probably be having the chicken and vegetable spring roll to start with

 followed by the beef bourguignon.  Both are yummy.

        We will be attending tonight's show which is featuring Jeri Sager.  She is a veteran of Broadway musicals.  We have seen her perform on previous cruises.  She is outstanding!

I have a special treat for you.  I will be doing a post with just facts about what we are about to experience:  The Amazon River Basin.   This adventure will begin tomorrow when we enter the river.