Adventures of Beth and Dan: Cancelled!!!

Up early to get ready for our three hour combo tour in St. John’s, Newfoundland. We had our packs ready and clothes laid out for the day. St John is a docking day, no tendering here. Some of the ships tours today would take you through the town stopping at old churches, the government hall or to Cape Soear and Ild St John’s to visit Signal Hill where Marconi received the first trans Atlantic wireless signal in 1901. Cape Spear is the easternmost point in North America. Here you will see the oldest lighthouse in the province. You might be up for a coastal hike from Signsl Hillwjere you hike down to sea level from 5000 ft. Or maybe you want to attend a Scheech which is a ceremony at a local pub where you tastes the rum and go through a tradition to become a “Newfie”!!

Well whatever you would have chosen you would have been sorely disappointed. As we heated the mouth of the harbor the winds picked up. The captain came across the public address system to say he had serious doybts about our ability to dock here due to the narrow approach which we would course through at s slow rate of speed. Because our speed would be slow we could not guarantee our passage without the possibility of being crushed against the side of the entrance! We waited a bit circling but when it became apparent we couldn’t make it he announced we would set out further into the Atlantic to avoid the storms and then Bri g us into Halifax a day early. We would spend 1 1/2 days there and be able to avoid the strong wind, waves and storms. To the passengers that sounded great! As our tour was to be paid for when we got there we weren’t out any money. We were disappointed but better to be snug as a bug rather than squished! They reprinted the days activities adding a few more things to get involved with. We were to be in Halifax, Nova Scotia on September 1st but now we would arrive around noon on the 31st and be able to spend more time in this huge lively city.

The captain did a questionand answer with a few other officers in the main theater. Folks loved it and being that he is quite a personable celebrity it made it all the more fun. They changed dinner to a gala night which doesn’t affect us as we always go to the Lido. At 9 PM they scheduled a chocolate surprise in Deck 2 by one of the dessert chefs. We didn’t attend but heard it was beautiful. The weather was still chilly at 59 degrees and there was nogoung out on the open decks due to the wind. The days movie was “The Intruder” which was a thriller that we skipped. The evening entertainment in the big theater was Planet Earth in Concert. They always have afternoon tea in the dining rooms at 3 and some folks love it. So all in all we found plenty of things to occupy our time from playing cards and games to exercising or reading by the covered pool on the Lido deck. We ate with a group of friends and took some photos of our favorite folks in the Lido. We vow to stay in touch after this cruise ends although we know their time is extremely limited for anything other than work. Then early to bed to prepare for a 1/2 in Halifax!

Our cooks and waiters on the main line at dinner. They were always singing and entertaining even the grumpiest of folks!

Some folks we met in the cruise having dinner in the Lido.

Riesta was our newest waitress coming on a week before we were to leave. This is her first tour ever on a ship. She was struggling with sleep issues and getting accustomed to the strenuous routine.

Weenah, Reista and Lucy!! Very sweet ladies and all saving to go further with their education which they hope will find them better jobs out of their countries.