day 80 - Still at sea but a - memorable one for Megan.

At 3.30am, neither of us had been to sleep!  Not too much sleep afterwards either – until it was about time to get up.  As is often the case lately, it was quiz time before breakfast, but no win.

We were up on the open deck again for the 12:30 Tug o’ War between the various ship departments.  This appears to be an annual challenge that we haven’t witnessed before.  Several teams didn’t have gloves – which was a bit of a surprise - so by the time the successful ones had complete two or three rounds, several people seemed to have suffered rope burns. 

It was a real spectacle with some teams having great support from their departments.  Tiny orchestra manager Sarah, didn’t add too much weight to the entertainment staff team, as they were knocked out in round one.  There was a huge crowd of passengers cheering them all on.  It was hot in the sun though and we were happy to return to the cabin to cool off.  Oh, the deck team won – well, it was their rope…

We congregated outside the Venetian dining room for the Dawn Nomad’s second ‘Mad Hatter’s Tea Party’ about 3:20 and as usual, a brilliant turnout, supported by three of the entertainment staff, who had a first-hand taste of the Nomads.

Someone got an award for being the Maddest Hatter – a trophy I’ll cherish of course!

Thanks once again to Ros who has really gelled the Cruise Critic group and we have certainly added to our circle of friends – again.

Well, the big event of the day wasn’t the Captain’s cocktail party up on deck, but at table 7 in the Florentine dining room, where we celebrated Megan’s birthday, with the guys al wearing the Turkish Fez ‘just like that’, and our ladies with Arab head-dresses.  Our forward looking ladies had even purchased suitable headwear for Megan and Malcolm and had also arranged a birthday cake.  Sadly, the ship had run out of fresh strawberries (it was probably Megan who ate most of them anyway…) so it was a strawberry coloured layered sponge cake.

Somewhat inevitably, photo opportunities were created and head waiter Robbie kindly provided the box of Turkish Delight!  Megan was in fine form and we think she thoroughly enjoyed the evening, rounded off with an atrium drink.

NZ’s clocks are now 1 hour forward and we have Port Kelang (gateway to Kuala Lumpur) tomorrow.  For the many Australians on board, this is the last stop before home, whilst for the Kiwis, last but one of course.  We are just heading for the Klang shopping centre as we did the KL city tour last year.