We wanted to begin our post with a tribute to those who lost lives, on or following that tragic day of September 11, 2001 and to each and every person who responded to the terrible tragedy that rocked our nation and the world. Today marks the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. It is hard to believe that so much time has passed since that fatal day. As was the case with those who lived during the Attack on Pearl Harbor, or the assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Martin Luther King and/or Robert Francis Kennedy, most everyone will remember 9/11 including where they were for the rest of their lives as if it happened yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers are with the thousands of people who lost lives, loved ones, or limbs that day, and to the heroic acts of bravery by so many people who also lost their lives trying to save others. This included so many responders including the firemen and police who lost lives following the collapse of the twin towers. It also includes not only the firemen and police but in the following days police, military, & civilians who put themselves in harm ways in rescue and cleanup efforts who with each passing year are in some cases dying or facing severe health issues from their valiant efforts. We also are thankful to the men and women who came to the United States aid that day and in the days, weeks and months following this tragic event and to the men and women from around the world who were part of our response in Afghanistan. Let us say a prayer for each and every person and never forget. It is tragedies such as 9/11 that for us puts things in perspective. Often it is easy to get caught up in the minor items in our day-to-day lives but we remind ourself that we still have our life and that we should not complain about those little things. Rather, that we should be appreciative for every minute we have left in our lives. We began last evening with a visit to the Avenue Saloon before we returned to the Silk Road Japanese Restaurant for dinner with friend and Northwest Passage Hostess, Stacey Huston. Stacey also teaches Zumba so Stacey and Keith compared the type of music that they use in their respective indoor cycling and zumba classes. The first two photos show Martin and one of the canapés he was serving in the Avenue Saloon. We alway admire them but pass on it with dinner coming soon. We ran into Jaque Brown who is the Crystal Society Hostess a couple of minute before the doors to Silk Road opened. We could tell it would be a busy night as many people were waiting outside Silk Road. When Stacey arrived we made our way into the dining venue, took a photo and then were seated. Sommelier Jay took good care of us as did waiter Ritchie and his assistant Ruel. We began with Lobster Tempura shown in the first of the food photos, continued with some of the Nobu Sashimi Specials. Keith ordered a nice sashimi/sushi platter for the table. Actually this was mainly for Stacey and Keith as Anne Marie had one of the rolls plus one other item that she ordered separately. We then had a few other items including mushroom salad for Keith and mushroom soup for Anne Marie along with lobster for Anne Marie's entree and Hot Soba Noodles with some scallops for Keith and we both ended the meal with a fruit plate. We ended up staying there for two and one-half hours with non-stop conversation and a lot of laughs not only between the three of us but also with Jay, Richie and Ruel. The evening entertainment featured Comedy and Music Entertainer Steve Stevens who performed two shows. Later in the evening at 10:30 PM, lead vocalist Eric Strong performed at the Stardust Club and was accompanied by pianist Richard Pucci. Richard performs each evening at the Crystal Cove. We often don' t mentione a movie but last night featured two showings of the movie Concussion. This movie came out in 2015 and we have previously seen it. We feel that the issue of concussions is a major issue for not only professional football players but for college, high school, junior high school and even grade school players. As much as we enjoy sports, the human brain and the fact that it is not secured in place cannot take the constant physical impact that comes when playing football. We do not profess to have all of the issues but do feel not enough is being done in this area. We wish that this issue got more attention and we are seeing that with each passing year former professional football players are paying the price from concussions resulting in some of them taking their own lives. We wonder how many others who did not go on to play professional football have this issue but will never be covered in the news because very few people other than friends and family know much about them as they do the professional athletes. Whether you like football or not, we think this is a well-done movie. The seas were relatively calm throughout the night so we slept very well. Today marked the second of three consecutive sea days. We began the morning as you have become accustomed with. Keith was up first and enjoyed a workout at the Fitness Center. He watched a special about 9/11. He managed to do the laundry and we enjoyed breakfast in our room. Following breakfast Keith got ready for another indoor cycling class and Anne Marie walked for an hour followed by Yoga. The program for today included 50 or more activities. We thought we would highlight the lectures. Photographer Flip Neckline spoke about in search of the unicorn. He appropriately provided a pictorial showing the search for Narwhal, the animal that inspire the myth of the Unicorn. This was followed by a talk by General Nick Halley whop spoke about some of the challenges around the world including his views on a new cold war with Russia and the challenge that Israel has in its continued fight for survival. The third and final lecture of the day was given by Expedition Lecturer Justin Hofman. She gave part 2 of her two-part talk about diving in the Northwest Passage. She spoke about seeing marine life underwater. This is not an easy area for underwater diving given factors such as the temperature of the water. The Food & Beverage Team continued to work their magic. In addition to preparing so many memorable meals for the third time of this voyage they created a buffet which was displayed all around the Crystal Plaza Area. Todays' buffet was a Sunday Jazz Brunch Buffet. It also included jazz music by the Galaxy Orchestra, Crystal Cove Pianist Richard Pucci and Sarah Hayes. Kudos go to the fabulous Food & Beverage Team and to the Entertainment Team. The fifteenth photo shows Executive Chef Werner Brenner assisting at one of the food stations. So much detail and effort goes into these buffets. We had our lunch at the Lido Cafe. We had our usual salad entree. On days with the fancy buffet, we tease with the Lido Staff and say we are there for the Lido Grand or Lido Jazz Buffet. LOL. Surprisingly the cafe was even quieter than we anticipated give that this was the third buffet for the voyage.
We are spending the remainder of the afternoon watching the afternoon lecture, getting our exercise and also plan to spend time with some fellow guests. This evening we will be dining at the Crystal Dining Room. Keith & Anne Marie Comments are closed.
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