DAY 106 - DAY 100 CRYSTAL SERENITY

ON THE ROAD TO SANTA  CRUIZ DEL PALMA, SPAIN - DAY 1 OF 2 SEA DAYS

Mary...Thank you for your very nice comments.  Although the World Cruise ends in a week, we remain on-board for three more voyages.  So more to come.

Today marks our 100th day on-board Crystal Serenity.  Time  goes fast  when you are having fun.  

Before dinner we watched the talk given earlier in the day by Ambassador Marc Ginsberg.  He had originally planned to discuss Israel and Iran and the Golan Heights.  This lecture was more meaningful given the recent events  about the Golan Heights.  Marc has spent a good deal of time at the Golan Heights and his family Kibbutz faces the Golan Heights.  

He spoke about the  strategic value of the Golan Heights. Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 six-day war.  In the 1973 war Syria attempted to take the Golan Heights.  20,000 Israeli settlers live on the Golan Heights  It is only 45 miles from Damascus and 47 miles North to South. 

He does support the recognition  of the sovereignty of the Golan Heights by Israel.  

He also covered and expressed  grave concerns about  Iran and the havoc they are causing in the region and the adverse impact on Israel.   

Major water supplies for Israel originate from the Golan Heights.

We appreciate  that we can watch the lectures that are given on the ship at the actual lecture, live from our room or at a later date on the television in our room.

We returned to the Crystal Plaza for a pre-dinner  drink.  Last evening was the third of four Black Tie Optional (BTO)  evenings on this voyage.m ​We sat with friend Ileen.
 

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These are the dinner menus from Waterside.
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We returned to Waterside for dinner where we enjoyed three courses.

We  began with  appetizers; Keith had Caviar  and Anne Marie had Soup.

We both had a mixed Green salad which was accompanied by tomato,  pine nuts, artichoke and focaccia crouton.

Anne Marie had the entree of Filet of Beef Wellington accompanied with vegetables  and Keith  had Dover Sole.

We  were taken excellent care of by Head Waiter Augusto and Senior Waiter Claudia. 

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The featured entertainment was a  concert production show called Icon in  Concert.  This is a  lively performance featuring a tribute to legends  and their music.

Later in the evening Ana  & Humberto took part in the Latin Dance Hour  which was a mixer at the Crystal Plaza which included dance.  TheAmbassador Rotes were on hand to dance.  

There was live music in the major lounges; Crystal Cove,  Palm Court and Avenue Saloon.

For those wishing to sing there was Karaoke from 10:00 PM until Midnight and  a late night Dance Party starting at Midnight.

The movies Green Book was shown twice at the Hollywood Theatre.  

We slept very well as we  were tired given the forwarding of the clock the night before.  

​Keith began the day with  a workout at the Fitness Center before we had coffee and breakfast in our room.  Anne Marie had personal training with Fitness Director Charlotte.  While Anne Marie was working out Keith walked inside the ship.  When Anne Marie finished she met Keith and we both walked for another hour.

There was lots on today's program.  It included three lectures.  Ken Rees spoke about the Canary Islands and Malaga.  This included its history, along  with current day life  and things  to do at each port.

Eugene Robinson spoke about Real News, Fake News and No News.  He addressed several areas of the media, some of the labeling occurring today and  the challenges of the loss of newspapers around the country particularly as it relates to the local communities.

In the  afternoon  Tim Severin spoke about The Sinbad Voyage.  

The morning included a Jazz Buffet Brunch prepared and served by the outstanding Food and Beverage team.  The Brunch began at 11:30 AM featuring an array of  breakfast, and luncheon items along with delicious desserts.

First photo is our Senior Waiter Claudia with one of the Head Waiters Igor.

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While it is tempting to enjoy these fabulous buffets we kept to our regular routine of having lunch at Marketplace.  We joked with the team at Marketplace that to us this is the gala lunch or should we say the Marketplace Gala Buffet.  LOL.

After lunch  Anne Marie  walked while Keith played Paddle Tennis.  We are enjoying the rest of the afternoon on Serenity as we post today's Blog.

Below is today's daily Reflections Program.

Cheers,

​Keith