I didn’t think I would be posting anything before the end of our Antarctic experience but we were in gale force winds as we were about to enter our next phase and the ice captain and our captain decided it was too risky and we are on our way to an alternate site. It was snowing earlier and it is quite foggy out there at the present time. Just a few moments ago I experienced turbulence and for a second I thought I was aboard an airplane.

I am not going to post about Antarctica until we are through with that phase of our adventure so this post will be about what is happening on board and answer some more questions. Like, Grace and any others who are wondering where I am going next, you can google Holland America Lines to get to their web site and I am sure you can still find the itinerary somewhere on that site. If not, maybe some savvy tech person can email you a copy of the itinerary. As to the monkeys, tell Mike it was not about him but about what I had seen in the rain forest and if he was online he could be reading all about my experiences rather than getting an occasional card.

I am not sending emails as it takes too much time. I have tried to answer them with one word replies but real time information is happening here. Keep your comments coming because it is like receiving emails and keeps me on my toes. It also forces me to keep on top of my posts rather than lagging behind.

After the mystery dinner CSI had their special dinner at the Pinnacle Grill and, again, we had such a good time. CSI is taking the place of the Ccers so Joanne , you and Rich will have a good support group. I have included a photo of one of my new friends, Joan Jones. We had no problem remembering each other names in the beginning since we are both JJs. Joan now lives in Colorado but was originally from the Queens in New York. I feel like a giant next to her. My “mom“ Shirley, also makes me feel like a giant and she is from Florida. I took this photo last night at the Winter white ball.

The Captain has announced we cannot enter the next area so we are now heading for Elephant Island but he seemed a little dubious that it would be much better. The one thing they tell you in the beginning of the Antarctic experience is that nothing is for sure. They do have alternate plans but I have a feeling today is not going to work out well for our experience.

Another gift was waiting for me after the winter white ball turned into a rather loud snow ball up in the Crows Nest. My mom, Melvin and I decided to check into how the other half were behaving. Had a drink then went back to my cabin where I found the gift. Sure looks like something the Kylie kid will love. A soft squishy stuffed penguin almost a foot tall.

This is Maurice. He has a home in Guernsey and is very British. He and I usually sit together for the Chef presentation. I asked him why he went to these presentation and he said because I have to eat. And if I don’t cook I can’t eat. He also has a home in France somewhere but I don’t know where yet.