Day 30
19 August
We are tearing along SSE under cloudy
sky and cool temperature. At least are are not being chased by a
Nor'easter. I have port side whale watch from late morning to early
afternoon.
At 0930 this morning the Court of
Neptune came together and presented shipmates John and Foghorn Barb
with star mariner medallions representing the four points of the
globe, latitude and longitude, the (sometimes) shimmery surface of
the sea and the ice, the smoked salmon served every day in the
Neptune Lounge,accompanied by the official blue ribbons of Holland
America Lines (because, well, we are traveling on HAL) and in the
center a photo of the MS Rotterdam. While many others aboard trooped
forward for the second shift of the “frequent floaters
recognition”, to nod at the ship's officers (who have successfully
avoided the deck 7 guests this trip), swill free wine and champagne
then stampede back to the dining room for Hazelnut Mousse, these two
worthy Friends of Neptune received the greatest recognition by
friends. Both recipients sported their magnificent medallions all
day.
At 1115, just after going on watch, I
spotted a whale broaching and spouting aft of amidships port side. At
1205 three pods of dolphins arcing up and down passed by. All of
these were heading on an opposite course of the ship. The packing has
begun in our cabin, putting into cases the clothing of the North
which will not be needed for the next days.
The noon report: 53º
58.17'N, 049º
12.64'W. Course 199º,
Speed 17.7 knots. Depth 12,270'. Wind W at 3 knots. Temperature 50ºF,
10ºC,
Humidity 66%. Seas 1-2'. Distance from Nanortalik Greenland is 393
nm, to next port is 409 nm. Total distance this voyage is 7,569
nautical miles.
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