Since it was so calm this morning, we went up to Terrace for breakfast. We went to Reception and got 4 laundry tokens with no discussion or caveats this morning, so I guess the laundry token crisis is over. We went up to Horizons to watch for wildlife and to check out needlepoint. We scored. We saw a big bunch of bottlenose dolphins. I got another cosmetic case at needlepoint. It was the only one of that size that she brought. That was good news. The bad news is that it is the solid dark blue with white O logo. I don't think anyone wants that so I am thinking of just making it in stripes. Still nearly solid in all dark blue is really boring to make as I am making the passport case version right now. I am doing needlepoint for therapy and not art so I guess it is okay. While we were in Horizons, everyone was abuzz with the news of a flood by a broken washer in the laundry room. I wanted to put laundry off until Eden but we had started worrying it might not be possible to get it done. So I went to check on the laundry room and arrived as the water sucking machine and white uniforms were leaving. Two washers and two dryers were out of order. Four washers were available! We got in right in the crack between disaster and laundry frenzy! More good luck! We have 25 days to go so we'll both have to do some hand washing to finish the trip or else find a place to do a small load. Clay sat out on the balcony and spotted another group of bottlenose dolphins.
The captain just made his noon announcement and sounded very pleased and optimistic for the first time in days. He said we are almost through the Bass Strait and about to enter the Banks Strait. I guess that is the name for the pass between Barren Island and the coast of Tasmania that we can see. He says he is only doing 15 knots. I guess we made really good time last night.
Off to lunch. Fingers crossed that the Tasman Sea is still calm when we exit the Banks Strait. Back from Terrace for lunch. We couldn't find a table for 2, but there was one under cover in the shade out on the back terrace. It was perfect. It is about 2pm and we are still in the Banks Strait. I checked the nav map on TV and now we are only doing 10 knots. It feels like we are barely idling. I am paranoid that the captain is avoiding popping out of this strait into the Tasman Sea because conditions are different. Hopefully he is just idling along because we are ahead of schedule getting to Hobart in the morning.
Sunset at about 6pm. Between then and 6:10pm, we saw several whale blows perfectly back lit by the pink sky off our starboard balcony. According to Tasmanian Parks website it is too early for humpbacks to be migrating north, but that is what it looked like to us. We saw whale backs at least 3 times from one or more and they looked like humpbacks. We saw 2 blows at once and one blow a distance off so there were at least 3 and maybe 4 or more whales. It was a spectacular end to a good sea day.
We had our final dinner reservation at Red Ginger tonight at 6:30pm on deck 10. For the 2nd time, I had chicken satay that was made with dark meat. I need to remember not to order that again come our September cruise, which leaves me with a main course and dessert. Otherwise, a good dinner.
It looks good for Hobart, Tasmania tomorrow!
