9/3/2023

Sea day

 

 

The last day is full of goodbyes, of packing, of last-minute arrangements, of enrichment and fun.  Like learning the Celidh (Kay-lee) as Shirley and Cheryl are pictured above.  (Paul did the line dance, Jazz dance and Salsa dance lessons, but those spent all the dance in Paul.)

 

Dr. Beth’s lecture on Washington Irving was very good.  She spent some time on the Dutch settling on Manhattan (where Bob’s ancestor, John Pederson Van Deusen, came to the new world).  As well as the life and works of Washington Irving.  We recalled last year when we went to the Alhambra in Granada, seeing a plaque commemorating his stay there.  Now we know the rest of the story.  It inspires us to re-read the Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle.

 

Aoibhin (Aye-Vee) was in her element as when taught the Irish dance.  Paul took videos and pictures as Shirley and her friend Cheryl spent a lot of energy laughing and dancing.  As far as cruise directors go, Aoibhin set the bar up another notch or two by her infectious attitude and sense of just having fun.  

 

We ate a farewell dinner at the Chef’s Table.  This 5-course dinner was the best we had.  Everything was perfect.

 

        

Our bags had to be packed, tagged and set out in the hallway by 10 PM and so that took a bit of doing. Thankfully we have learned through experience to leave a little room when packing to leave home.  We fit all our purchases and discoveries as well as the stuff we originally packed in our luggage and maintained the under 50 pound limit required by the airlines (70 pounds for first class).