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DAY FIVE AT SEA - ON THE ROAD TO MAURITIUS. Doris....Thank you so much for your comments. The evening began without a pre-dinner drink for us. However, we did attend a Cruise Critic Party. Anne Marie with Ana (Assistant to the Hotel Director) and Ed.  These are the dinner menus from Waterside. We had dinner at the Vintage Room. We hosted an exclusive Vintage Room for four other people. We like to keep the dinner to a small group which allows for one conversation and an intimate dinner. The Vintage Room provides a terrific opportunity to learn and sample some very special wines which are paired with each course. We planned the dinner with Head Sommelier Jiri. We met with Jiri a couple of weeks ago to select each course and an approach to the wine. In turn, Jiri selected each wine to match with each course we selected. This included two white wines, four red wines, a dessert wine and a sparking Italian Wine. We began the evening with a Champagne Toast with Louis Roederere Cristal and Jiri explained why the bottle is shaped and looks as it does. We then sat down to a wonderful meal with delicious cuisine, special wines and a lovely conversation with lots of good laughs. As each wine was served, Jiri provided an overview of the wine. This included background information about the Vineyard and the wine. We have known Jiri for many years and he was our Sommelier in the former Crystal Dining Room for the equivalent of one and one-half World Cruises. Jiri recently was promoted to the swing Head Sommelier and this was the first time we have been to a Vintage Room that Jiri conducted. We thoroughly enjoyed planning this event with him, appreciated his recommendations and selection of wines and thought his delivery was outstanding. We enjoyed several unique wines including a Pinot Noir and a Chardonnay which were unique in color, aroma and taste. White Wines: Vintage Tunina, Silvio Jermann, Villanova di Farra, Fruila, Italy 2016. Wendell Cellars, Sierra Madre Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley, California, 2012. Redi Ines: Cloys de la Roche Domaine Arlaud Burgundy, France 2013 ChateauHaut- Brion, First Growth, Grave, Bordeaux, France 2006 Barrett & Barrett, Cabernet Sauvignon, Calistoga, Napa Valley. Dessert Wine: Vin Santo, Isole E. Olena, Tuscany, Italy 2003 Rather than pairing the dessert wine with the dessert he paired the final red wine with the dessert. He paired the dessert wine with the cheese and both pairing were a huge success. The menu included: Mini Cannelloni Filled With King Crab Meat Salad Porcin-Dusted Chilean Sea Bass Porcini Mushroom Risotto Sherbet Wagyu Beef Tenderloin (amazingly tender) Selection of Artisanal Cheeses Chocolate & Casis (one of the most unique desserts we have had. Executive Chef Werner Brenner and Executive Pasty Che Harald Neufang arrived with the dessert and they poured hot chocolate sauce on top of each dessert which melted the top layer of thin chocolate. Between the wine, food and lovely conversation this was one if not the longest Vintage Rooms we have attended and it went by in a blink of an eye.  Although we didn't attend we wanted to mention that last evening Souther Hemisphere Stargazing was available from 10:30 PM to 12:30 Am on Deck 13 Forward and the lights were turned off. This event was unheated but we know some guests who planned to attend and had loaded apps in their iPads to facilitate the identification of starts and planets. A few years ago Keith attended a hosted stargazing event which was hosted by a former American Astronaut and the Chief of Electrical Engineering and saw many things including the Space Lab and the Hubble Telescope along with the Southern Cross and one or two Planets. We slept well as we continue to sail to our next port of call. The morning included a workout for Keith involving indoor cycling, the elliptical machine and weights and walking and yoga for Anne Marie. Lots on the program today. The lectures included: Steve Irwin Biographer John Stanton who spoke about the Ghosts of War. He spoke about Steve Irwin's quest for searching remote islands and the ocean floor for relics and remnants from World War II. Drug Crime lecturer Paul Cook spoke about Cocaine and its production and trafficking in the Caribbean, Colombia and the USA. Professor Nigel MacLennan spoke about Relationship Magic and why some people have successful relationships in every area of their lives. The morning went by quickly and in a blink of an eye it was time for lunch. After lunch Keith played Paddle Tennis and Anne Marie visited the store and got ready for a busy late afternoon and early evening. The weather outside was warm and humid and we love it. This is the daily Reflections Program from today. Cheers, Anne Marie & Keith
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