Day at Sea -- February 17, 2016
2016 HAL Volendam Asian Adventure - Day 2
Weather: Calm, partly cloudy, 28C/82F
The distance between Singapore and Penang is about 395 miles. As our ship sailed along the Malacca Strait steadily, we were able to enjoy a relaxing day at sea. ChC usually skips breakfast, so the two of us went up to the Lido for breakfast. Generally, we have breakfast and lunch at the Lido and then dinner at the Rotterdam. We found that it was easier for us to manage our time at the buffet and the choices are better. But sometimes it was not easy to find a table at peak hours.
Pretty orchids on the tables.
The packet of immigration forms for the different countries arrived as we returned from breakfast. They were all filled out and we were to sign and return them to the front desk before a certain deadline while they handled everything else for us.
A good crowd attended the cruisecritic meet and greet in the Crow's Nest at 10AM. We got to meet some fellow cruisers face to face after 'talking' to each other online in the past few months. It is always fun to match faces with screen names. We would be going on shore excursions with a few of them in the next two weeks. I stayed for a short while only because I wanted to check-out the Asian Highlights talk in the theater which also started at 10. HAL provided beverages and refreshments but none of the officers attended the meeting. At least I did not see any during the time I was there.
Crow's Nest, Deck 9
I made it at the end of the talk. Good thing that they ran the program continuously on TV in our cabins.
Then I rushed through the Atrium to ...
the Digital Workshop for the "Get Creative with Photo Gallery" session.
People do line up for these workshops to get to one of the 20 computers available in class.
Fortunately, this one was a repeat and many people already attended the same topic on the last segment of the cruise so there were some empty spaces.
Then I went over to the Cooking Show at the Culinary Art Center.
As Chef Michael demonstrated how to cook the dish, samples were handed out so everyone could have a taste of the Pork in Peanut Curry Sauce. BTW, this session was a full house. I did not stay till the end because we have made plans to meet at the Lido for lunch at 11:30.
This was one of the many items we had for lunch that day. Some kind of meat pie.
The only time we saw fresh lyche on this cruise.
Then back to the cabin for our naps. Yes, they provided bathrobes in the cabins.
Fruits that we ordered were delivered also.
And the HAL bag on the bed.
Snacking on the tiny little banana from Lido.
In the late afternoon, we figured that we should walk off some calories around the lower promenade deck (3).
Relaxing after the walk.
aft wake
First Gala (Formal) Night in the dining room on this sea day. Many passengers dressed up for the occasion with some men in tux.
menu
We love escargot!
JUMBO shrimp cocktail and the cilantro lemongrass aioli was wonderful!
Salad of arugula and frisee
Chicken with soba noodle soup
Cracked Pepper Tenderloin with Grilled Shrimps
Baked Ricotta Stuffed Shells
Yellowfin Sole Fillet
No sugar added Black Forest Cake
Adagio playing classical music in the Explorer's Lounge every night.
Enjoying the beautiful music!
Our first towel animal waiting for us in the cabin.
Chocolate, Room-service order form, and On Location for the next day.
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