Finally, a day off. We have been up no later than 6:30am every day for the last week. This morning, no alarms, no schedule, nothing. We're still up by 8:30am but it's really 9:00am. The ship turned back their clocks one half hour last night. I've never heard of changing time in half hour increments. Apparently, we lose another half hour on the 10th. That change will put us only 1 hour behind PST.

So we have our usual breakfast and, while I retreat to the library to load pictures and send out the blog, Mom heads to the launderette. I think she actually likes it but after her last experience, I would shut it down since we don't need the clean clothes just to bring them home dirty since she'll wash everything again anyway. I try to send out some from 10/27 through 10/31 but no internet so I download pictures from cameras and post to the blog. Not much is happening on board today. Mom joins me and reads her book.

We have an invitation, as Mariners with Holland America, to a cocktail party at 6:45pm tonight in the theater. This doesn't allow us enough to time to go the the dining room for dinner. Even at the earliest, 5:30pm, is not enough to to complete all courses. We concede to the Lido buffet for prime rib. It's OK but we like the service in the dining room. The lady and her husband from last night sit near us but ignore us. They fill their plates and after a few bites, leave again. Maybe this is their MO. We go to the theater where all the seating has been rearranged for cocktails, dancing and visiting. They serve snacks and free drinks. Mom tries a Cosmopolitan and likes it while I take the champagne offered. Remember, it's all free!

They're honoring those with the most days at sea, members of the Presidents Club, Platinum, Gold, etc. One lady, Dolly, who lives here on the ship, had over 5000 days. Several others had well over 2000 and quite a few above 500. No one mentioned John Murray nor us. We have 83 days prior to this trip. Not even an honorable mention. Just free drinks. We did get a picture with the Captain and the hotel manager. We'll probably have to buy it.

The singer tonight was Annie Francis, a Filipino and Irish gal from Australia. She sang OK but her show lacked excitement. Just a singer, not an entertainer. Still, all the Aussies and Kiwis love her. It's 9pm and we leave for our room. Tomorrow is our last stop, Nuku Hiva. Leaving there, we begin our week long journey back to San Diego. Tomorrow is another tender episode. Yuk!

Note: I tried the internet again tonight around 10pm but no luck. Five minutes trying to log onto Travelpod is just a wasting my wifi time but I will try again tomorrow. I write every day but can only send when service is available. I have 287 minutes left. That should be enough.