Today was the first of back-to-back sea days. This cruise is actually well paced with only one or two ports visited before having another sea day or two. I had planned to try to catch up a bit on my blogs and Yvonne has discovered a great read that is commanding her attention (Under the Wide and Starry Sky by Nancy Horan). I also plan to try to add to my collection of Regent Reward cards by participating in some of the wacky contests that go on regularly through the day.

We did go to the morning trivia contest and ended up joining (to our good fortune) two other couples who were looking for some Americans to join them as they were from Australia and the UK. It worked to everyone’s benefit as we collected a second place prize, missing only one more answer than the winners.

Today the ship offered a special seafood extravaganza at the pool grill for lunch and we felt we should see what it entailed. There was a variety of grilled fish, grilled skewer combos of fish, lobster, squid, and scallops, plus sushi, paella, bouillabaisse, trays of chilled shrimp, pastry wrapped salmon, clams, oysters, etc, etc. We could not resist; we will grab a hamburger another day!

During the afternoon while Yvonne read I participated in several “competitions” like crazy golf shots and a carpet version of Bocci Ball (called Carpet Bowls). Managed to make a couple of points to add to the collection.

Another couple we met suggested we meet later that afternoon and try the “Name that Tune” trivia contest which we did. Apparently none of us remembered enough about some old tunes to allow us to make a decent showing.

At 6 PM there was a unique Regent event called the “Block Party” where you are invited to step outside your cabin with a wine glass to meet your neighbors as ship officers and staff pass through offering wine and canapés. It is a fine event that often lasts 45 minutes or so before people start wandering off for dinner. As it turned out one of the couples (neighbors) we met joined us for dinner and conversation after the event. He is a retired physician from Australia and we learned (much to Yvonne’s dismay) a lot about things we should see/do when we are in Australia!

The evening show featured a new performer, Chris Hamilton, a pianist from the UK who entertained us with a variety of musical tunes. An interesting thing he did was ask people for names of tunes they would like to hear which he jotted down and proceeded to play a continuous montage of about a dozen requested tunes without pausing, an impressive demonstration.

tomorrow will be another relaxing(?) day at sea.