December 4 - Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

 We were here several years ago and did a tour then, so again we didn't sign up for anything this time.  We looked around at the pier area from the top of the ship and concluded there wasn't anything we wanted to brave the heat and humidity for, so Michael went to the pool and I did a quick reconnoiter of the shopping at the pier and was back on board in 15 minutes as I didn't see what I was looking for.

Here are a few pictures taken from the ship.

So the morning and early afternoon were spent lounging by the pool reading and dozing.  There were very few people again as about half of the passengers went on excursions according to the morning informational show done by Peter.  For lunch, we shared a nice Reuben sandwich poolside and then returned to the cabin shortly thereafter as it was getting too hot.  There was no breeze to mitigate things.  

Trivia was a resounding success with our team getting the highest score (21 out of 23), which earned us 3 points.  But again Peter gave the two highest scores (21 and 20) each 3 points, the next two scores (19 and 18) got 2 points and the next highest score (17) got 1 point.  Ah well, we're not taking it seriously anyway, so it doesn't really matter.

We had a fun dinner in the Grand Dining Room.  Everything was delicious with the possible exception of the Humphrey Slocum ice cream.  None of us had ever heard of Humphrey Slocum, but it is an ice cream company out of San Francisco and I guess they're famous for their unusual flavors.  We all ordered a dessert but then ordered a serving of the ice cream of the day - black sesame - for the table.  It was every bit as odd as it sounds.  Even the waiters agreed it was not the best ice cream.

We had a notice in our cabin tonight that once we enter the Amazon River in a couple of days, there will be strict water conservation until we leave.  The ship cannot make its own water supply while on the river due to the silt so no laundry service will be available for guests and sheets and towels will only be changed once.  I'm sure they will make exceptions for emergencies.  And anything purchased on board, including liquor and boutique items, but not including spa services, will be subject to a 25% surcharge which is imposed by the Brazilian government.  Due to the low water levels, we will be tendering in Santarem and Manaus.

Tonight our clocks go forward another hour.