DAY 9 - LONG ISLAND

Today's Reflections.

We enjoyed another wonderful evening on board Crystal Serenity.  We began  the evening with wine in our room as  we enjoyed the beauty of the sea and the Island in the distance.

We chose to dine at Silk which is the specialty restaurant featuring a variety of Chinese Cuisine.    The items can be served in the traditional manner of family style with the food at the middle of the table for all to enjoy or you can have it served and placed near the person who requested the specific item.

Shortly  after we were seated we departed and as part of the Crystal Tradition What A Wonderful World sung by Louis  Armstrong was played over the speaker in various public areas.  This always brings  a tear to our eyes.

We began the meal with a several starters served in courses so the food didn't get cold and could be eaten and enjoyed when it was still hot.

This included a Dim Sun Sampler, Spring Rolls Of The Day, Beef Pot Stickers, and Crispy Fried Prawn Dumplings. Wow, this could be a meal in itself.  However, you only live once so we couldn't stop with this.

Our next course was the Crisp Duck Salad without Duck. Keith does enjoy Duck but passed on it this time around since we had more items coming.

This leads us to the next course of entrees.  This included Kung  Lao Shrimp, Mongolian   Style Lamb Chops, Shrimp Fried Rice, and their Signature Stir-Fry  Beef Tenderloin.

Everything was prepared wonderfully and very  tasty.

On top of this we enjoyed wonderful service, a great pacing of the meal, and the ambiance of the dining venue.

Oh and let us not forget the wine for Anne Marie and the La Fin Du Monde Beer for Keith

We enjoyed a leisurely meal.   Even  though just thee two of  us we dined for close to two and one half hours.  Several members of team Serenity came by including  Restaurant Manager Leo, Head Waiter Bojan, and Head Sommelier  Goran.   The wait staff  team is as  we remember it  last year.  Early on when things  were slow wee made it  a point to ask each member how their family is and how they coped during COVID-19.   We have done this since we boarded.  Some had many challenges including financial and the challenge of working should they need money.  Some were fortunate with spouses working.  Some remarked it provided them more  time with family whether that was their children or spending the most time in years with an elder parent.  The common theme was how much they were looking forward to returning to Crystal and how much they love working for Crystal.


For those who remained on the ship we asked about that. Some actually  left the day after we did in Sydney.  They  all went through similar processes getting back to the ship.  They quarantined at home, took a COVID-19 test before traveling, took a COVID-19 test upon arrival, quarantined at hotel for seven day, took a COVID-19 test and we believe on right before stepping on the ship where they quarantined.  At the hotel they had to stay in their rooms for 7  days.   On the ship they kept those who came on in Cadiz separated from those who came on in Cyprus so they ate in separate dining facilities.  All  of this worked.

It has been good to hear about their stories and what life was like in their respective countries as in the USA we have very little news coverage of things around the World.

Great day today and our normal routine when we cruise.  Early workout for Keith, coffee, breakfast and a walk on the Promenade Deck.

We anchored off Long Island.   For Keith there is something very special about the name as he grew up on  Long Island just not this one.  His childhood home was on Long Island, New York.  

We stayed on the ship.  This might be our only cruise where we have not gotten off.   Keith would have gotten off in Bimini if we made it over since we would have docked.  Maybe next week Keith will go over to one or more islands.

We enjoyed our morning with Keith playing Paddle Tennis with the group of people traveling together.  Anne Marie walked some, sat outside on our verandah and read.

Lunch was salads for the two of us and we will enjoy a  wonderful afternoon.

Life is good.  Well, let us rephrase this.  Life is excelleent.

Cheers,

Anne Marie & Keith