Byzantine Tour 2011 Day Twelve: Mediterranean Sea

Ah.

Ahhhh.

That is the sound of a day at sea.

When it comes to a room with a view, it is hard to do better than the sea.

We are moving from Cyprus to Crete.  From the third largest island in the Mediterranean to the fifth largest.

Of course we could get from A to B faster, but I believe the cruise line knows how much people adore a day at sea to truly unwind.

Today, at the suggestion of a fellow passenger, I took a bold step.  Do you see the breakfast item that is normally not there?

Eggs are normal.  Fruit is normal.  You got it, pancakes!

But not just pancakes.  I asked them to put some banana and chocolate chips in my pancakes.  Yes.  Banana-chocolate-chip Pancakes.

Seriously.  Does it get better than this?

Also note: no noxious carpet cleaner perfume when you sit on your stateroom's verandah.

We attended a lecture about metabolism, at the end of which the ship's personal trainer suggested that we come for a metabolism test.  We scheduled one for after lunch.

Then came time for another Bridge lesson, which again went photograph free.

Then came time for lunch.  The Crystal dining room got a little Asian today.

I started with the Spring Vegetable Roll with Ponzu Sauce.

Barbie started with... cannot find it on the menu but looks like beets and proscuitto?

I had the Spice Thai Chicken and Shrimp Soup, Flavored with Galangal and Lemongrass.

Then I had the Spicy Orange Chicken, Crispy Fried Chicken in a Spicy Orange Sauce, Served with Steamed Broccoli and Sticky White Rice.

Barbie had the Ocean Garden Basket, Crabmeat Salad, Jumbo Prawns and Scallops in a Giant Lettuce basket, Served with Thousand Island Dressing.

For dessert, Barbie had the Refreshing Kiwi Sherbet.

Since we ate in the dining room, I thought I would share a shot that included our window view.

Remember that metabolism test that I mentioned earlier?

It consisted of attaching electrodes to the wrist and feet, and measuring electric current going through our bodies on what looked like a 1970's calculator.  But the results told us both that we were fairly healthy; maybe it was not complete bunk.

But the results did tell us one thing.

In order to correct the pH levels in our blood we need to purchase these expensive supplements!  (We did not.)

Barbie took a nap and worked; I rested and read.  We still feel sick.  We watched the Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle DVD from the library.  Barbie liked it, which lifts my hopes that we will soon see the second and third movies.

Barbie forced her sick body out of bed for dinner at the on-board Japanese restaurant.

Remember how I said the ship is half full?  When we cruised on Crystal last year, it was hard to get into Silk Road.

Not so hard to get in here this cruise.  And thankfully the room did not smell of perfumed carpet freshener.

Miso Soup.  This made our sick bodies feel better.

Eel rolls.

Rock Shrimp, Served on Tossed Lettuce with Spicy Creamy Sauce.

Nobu-Style Black Cod with Miso, Saikyo Miso Marinated and Broiled Black Cod with Mountain Peach and Young Ginger.

Yellowtail Sushi.

Salad.  (Correct.  I have no idea what salad Barbie ordered.)

Nobu Box, A sampler of Nobu's Most Popular Signature Dishes; Gilled Wagyu Beef Rib Eye Steak, Black Cod with Miso, and Rock Shrimp.

After dinner we dragged ourselves back to the room, took a bunch of cold medicine, and slept.

Until tomorrow...

Byzantine Tour 2011 Day Eight: Mediterranean Sea

Today is a Day At Sea.  We left Santorini at sundown yesterday and today the ship sails towards Israel, as far East as this Mediterranean will take us, and today truly feels like a day to relax.  It is actually a wonderful thing.  Imagine travelling around and then, for one day, having a rule that you cannot leave the hotel. No sightseeing, no rushing around, no tasks.  A wonderful thing.

As you might recall we went to bed incredibly early last night, which means that we woke up incredibly early this morning.  Which means another...

Sunrise.

Barbie gazing at the rising sun.

Breakfast is a wonderful thing on the Crystal Serenity.  

A very wonderful thing.

Colossal failure.  After breakfast we took the Beginner's Bridge class and I did not take a single picture.  I am not sure why.  It might have been to respect the privacy of others, but I really should have just done it and made them uncomfortable.

By the way, we both liked our introduction to bridge and perhaps when we get home we will become serious bridge players.  A second lesson comes during our next day at sea.

Time for lunch!  (In my head I actually say the following to remind me of a nephew, "Time for lunchy!"

I started with the Paste e Fagioli - Italian Bean Soup with Pasta.

Barbie got the Mixed Grill Salad - Assorted Field Greens Tossed in Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette, with Green Beans, Eggplants, and Pomelo, Topped with Grilled Herb-Marinated Chicken Breast, Lamb Chop, Filet Mignon and Shrimp. 

I just had to have it.  Beef hamburger with blue cheese.

After lunch we relaxed, Barbie worked, and we might have even watched a DVD.  And then... dinner!

Tonight we dine on the shipboard Ristorante Italiano, Prego.

To begin, how about dipping some bread into crushed garlic paste?

Barbie started with King Crabmeat Salad with Avocado and Sicilian Orange.

I started with Prego's Signature Cream Soup of Selected Italian Mushrooms, Served in an Oregano Bread Cup.

Barbie followed with Risotto di "Asparagi."  White and Green Asparagus Risotto Served with Fresh Chives.

My main was the Lasagna alla Casalinga.  Layers of Fresh Pasta with Ground Meat, Porcini Mushrooms, Tomato, Béchamel and Mozzarella Cheese.

Barbie's main was the Pan Fried Fillet of Branzino.  Sauteed Spinach, Eggplant Puree, Melted Baby Heirloom Tomato.

Now, the bad news.  See that lovely red carpet?  It had just been cleaned and the room smelled of a strong cleanser/perfume combination.  It drove Barbie's allergies insane, and she had to leave before dessert.  My allergies were starting to kick in as well.  Barbie went up to the room, and I ordered dessert to take up to the room.

Strawberry sorbet in the stateroom.

Until tomorrow.