Bloggles the Mind Again: An Anniversary & Sea Day Two

Today is the 40th anniversary of our first date.

Song of Solomon 3:4

when I found the one my heart loves I held him and would not let him go

The first topic of conversation when mentioning a cruise is normally FOOD. There are good reasons for this. It is plentiful. It is pre-paid. It is delicious. It is extraordinary. The food in the photograph below was prepared by a special team of chefs onboard the Conquest. We attended the cooking demonstration and in one hour learned that we were sailing with highly trained and experienced chefs who could perform feats of grandeur with lobster, chicken, cheese, and chocolate. The Officer in charge of food operations served as extra arm and interpreter for two of the chefs whose cooking skills far surpass their English. The white scarfed chefs are the sous chefs, while the red scarfed chefs are the specialty chefs--desserts and pastry, or fish. And the blue scarfed chefs work for free. In other words, they are apprentices.

The food prepared at the cooking demo was by the entire team. First there was Lobster Bisque. Then came the chicken, seared in oil to seal in the juices and baked in a specially prepared sauce, served with ---macaroni and cheese. No kidding. But the cheese was a combination of mascarpone, ricotta, parmesan, and gruyere. Grated by hand and whipped with cream and served in small portions as individual ramekin dishes. For dessert the pastry chef prepared Warm Chocolate Melting Cake. Only four ingredients: melted 72% chocolate, eggs, sugar and flour. Whisked by hand. Baked in ramekins until lightly set around the edges and melted in the middle. Topped with vanilla ice cream. Yummy! It was served several evenings in the dining room.

Other yummy food included ceviche, tuna and melon, spaghetti squash with almonds and raisins in a salad, key lime pie, lobster and shrimp stuffed mushrooms, and cherries jubilee.

I'm talking about the second day at sea. Not for the entire cruise. This, of course, doesn't even include the breakfast buffet.

After dinner we strolled on the deck or around the ship, walking off those calories and people- watching or just looking at the ship's interiors. Below is a photo of the ceiling as seen from an angle of the stairway in the atrium. You look up: gorgeous. You look down: marble or wood. You look to the side: always interesting.

Inside the beautiful Supper Club restaurant where the cooking demonstration was offered.

We managed a nap almost every day of the cruise, here in stateroom 1266. One night we woke to see the moon and venus shining over the water right in our window.

This was a popular place. We preferred quieter places, however. I love the motion of the ship and feeling wind in my face. Puts me to sleep quickly. ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz........