Day 43: At Sea in the South Pacific

Sunday February 17th, 2013

This is the last day we will be in the South Pacific - as we make our way to Tasmania, the southerly province of Australia. We went to a lecture to hear what we might do in this port and in our next port of Adelaide, and found out that the Indian Ocean lies ahead as we sail around the bottom of Australia. I did not know that ocean stretched down this far south. We also learned that taxis in Hobart are $75/hour - which decided us to try and find a little tour ourselves or just walk around tomorrow.

Barry stayed in the Queen's Lounge for a lecture, where he met a man who was a Japanese prisoner of war at he age of 14, living in Borneo -near where we will soon visit. Barry loved his story and may add some details. What you learn is that everyone has a story, and if you ask, you get some wonderful ones. Barry's info: "Diary of Prisoner 17326" ISBN 978-0-8232-3150-8 John Stutterheim went to Europe and educated himself to become a Doctor of Medicine emigrated to USA and had a practice in California.

HAL brings Celebrity Chefs onboard who give cooking lessons. I went to Denise Vivaldo who was showing us how to make spinach/sausage beggar's purses. What a funny, talented person she is. She is from LA, and works or has cooked for some of the biggest stars in the world - like Elizabeth Taylor, Sly Stallone, Prince Charles and many many more. She has written lots of books - one of which I think I will buy when I get home about how to entertain for less. We got to sample this recipe and I will be making them at home for sure.

I have a full work out schedule now and today I had a private yoga lesson with Kristina - my personal trainer - at 3 pm. Barry watched a movie in the cabin and had a nap.

We finally made it to our upscale dining room, The Pinnacle, for dinner this evening. Jonathan was able to join us, although he had to leave to do a welcome for the newcomers, so we nibbled until he returned. I saved up all day with no carbs to enjoy this special meal. We were later than usual, so we skipped the entertainment and went to bed.