Enjoyed Dinner At Silk Road With Friends Lynn and Buddy Along With The Crystal Society Reception✔
When we posted yesterday, we accidentally omitted Captain Glenn's Thought Of The Day so we thought we would add it to today's entry.
"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference."
This is a photo that was taken of the two of us by one of our friends after we spoke briefly with Hank Aaron at the Crystal Society Function last evening.
On a related note, we learned last evening that this is the fourth time that Hank Aaron has sailed with Crystal Cruises, rather than his third time.
We were asked about the tour in China that we are planning and wanted to know whether it is a group or private tour.
When we are in Beijing, Crystal Cruises has included in the cruise fare and the itinerary a group tour for all guests who are on board the ship whether you are on for one or more segments of the World Cruise. It is a two night/three day land package including meals, hotel, and a visit to many sites including Forbidden City and the Great Wall. As we understand all but just a few guests will be taking this tour.
At the same time, we have private tours planned in Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Before dinner last evening we attended the Crystal Society Reception which is for all guests who have sailed on one or more Crystal Cruises. The reception also recognizes those guests who have sailed on a significant number of Crystal Cruises.
Once again, we sat at the bar which is located towards the back of the Palm Court. Although located in the back of the room, the bar is actually located forward on the ship so where we sit we have a nice panoramic view of the sea as we were sailing towards Chan May, Vietnam.
We spoke with fellow World Cruiser, Elaine before the event began.
We then spent time with friends Lynn and Buddy who we would be dining with after the reception.
Anne Marie with Lynn. Lynn was wearing a new dress that she had made for her while we were in Ho Chi Minh City.
Although we dined in Silk Road last evening, we wanted to share the menus from the Crystal Dining Room. The theme for the dinner was French Dinner.
We enjoyed a wonderful time at Silk Road with friends Lynn and Buddy. We first met Lynn and Buddy last year and have enjoyed meals with them at Silk Road last year and this year as well as several very nice chats with them.
Our waiter for the evening was Alberto who we adore. He knows us so well that by the time we were ready for the sushi and the sashimi Keith turned to him and asked him to just order it for us. Often he remembers more about what we like than we do.
We had many of our favorite foods including a few specials that Executive Chef, Hiroshi Nakaguchi prepared for us. Each time we had one of his specials he came out the table to see what we thought of it.
This was one of the specials prepared for us which included Crab and surrounded by Asparagus.
These are Nobu specials that can be found on the menu and we like to have it as a trio. It's best to eat this from right to left as it goes from a lighter to a slightly heavier taste.
This was some of the Sushi and Sashimi that we had. We didn't take a photo of a few additional items that came on other dishes including Dragon Roll.
Anne Marie had the Nobu Box while Keith enjoyed the Hot Soba Noodles.
Lynn and Buddy could not stay for dessert as at the second reception they were going to walk one of the guests being honored.
While we each ordered a fruit plate for our dessert the executive chef cam out and said he wanted us to taste a special dessert he prepared.
Anne Marie and Keith shared this dessert which was which was a Potato Sweet (desserts that look white) and a Red Beam Cake. These are both traditional Japanese desserts.
We think it is nice that the desserts we have enjoyed the past two times we have dined there are on the small and the light side.
After dinner, we stopped by Prego to check on some dinner arrangements for March 11 when we are hosting a table of eight. We plan to pre-order a couple of courses and then let everyone order the rest of the courses.
We slept very well last evening as we made our way to Chan May, Vietnam. The seas continued to be relatively calm.
When we woke up, we read a letter that went out to all guests who will be on the next segment of the World Cruise from Captain Glenn noting that due to a higher security rating that the itinerary for our visit to the port of call of Inchon, South Korea has been revised and replaced with two alternative ports. This is because Crystal Cruises was advised by the Inchon port that due to a World Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul that will bring in more than 50 heads of state, the port will heighten its security to the highest alert level and that it is in violation of Crystal's compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code as well as Crystal's own strict Ship Security Plan for the ship to visit during this heightened security level. It was noted that while the summit has been planned for along time, it was the port that just raised the security level.
The overnight stay in this port has been replaced with visits to two other ports of call in South Korea' Pusan and Jeju Island. The shore excursion team and land programs department are currently working on putting together shore excursions for each of these ports. We were advised that details will be sent to our staterooms on the tours that will be available when they are finalized.
Pusan was actually on the original itinerary. However, when last years tsunami hit Japan a couple of Japanese ports were removed from the schedule and because we couldn't dock overnight in Pusan it was replaced with the port of call that serves Seoul. We have heard that this is a very nice town and that the Jeju Island is equally nice.
As seasoned travelers we recognize that from time to time a revision to itinerary will occur sometimes due to poor sea/weather conditions, security threats or in this case due to the heightened security alert. We look forward to these two new ports of call and we know that it will not take away from our enjoyment of this adventure.
With a good night sleep, Keith woke up early and started his day at the Fitness Center. He had a really nice workout and then had some coffee at the Lido Cafe. Anne Marie also worked out for one hour
After the workouts we enjoyed breakfast in our room as we got ready to go off the ship. We spoke with Rao for a little while and had several good laughs with Rao. Speaking of remembering more things about us then we do when we had Rao order a salad for Keith yesterday he remembered that Keith didn't care for a particular item that comes with the salad. Keith couldn't remember that and said he would take the salad with it, but when the salad arrived the lightbulb went off and Keith realized that Rao was absolutely correct. Rao is always great an anticipating every need and on top of everything.
In 2008 we stopped at this port and took a very extensive tour of Da Nang and China Beach. This time we took the complimentary shuttle which took us approximately 20 minutes from the pier to a Hotel Resort.
The resort itself was nice but we didn't stay there too long. We did walk around the resort and took the path out to the beach.
The cost for various services including a massage or sitting out on the beach was duly noted on this sign.
Back at the pier, we walked around and looked at items that were being sold by the locals. We did not end up purchasing anything.
When we arrived back to the ship the crew was in the middle of their weekly crew fire and lifeboat drill which they take very seriously. As they say, practice makes perfect.
We enjoyed lunch back on the ship, and we each had a nice salad entree.
In the afternoon, Keith played Paddle Tennis while Anne Marie walked for an hour. The outside temperature and the humidity was much more moderate than it has been. It will likely get cooler as our journey continues.
Keith also got together with friend Bob while Anne Marie sat out by the pool.
This evening we will dine with Ken and Lynn Rees who we have had the pleasure of knowing for several years. Ken is also the Destination Lecturer.
Afterwards, we will be attending a special World Cruise cocktail reception and show.
We will post more about that tomorrow.
Keith and Anne Marie
No comments:
Post a Comment