Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Up by 7:00 and joined Mama in the Panorama Bar at the prow of the boat for tea and conversation with Michael, a waiter from Panama. He's cruised for six years on a Japanese ocean liner and this has been his first - and last - contract on a river cruise.
There is a substantial difference between the two types of cruises. As a passenger, one must be able to self-entertain as there are limited diversions aboard ship. One restaurant, one or two bars, three glass cases comprising the 'shop' and no uninterrupted deck on which to walk for exercise. No gym, no casino, no pool, no luxurious couches and chaises on which to lounge. And no Rico bringing around little fruity boat drinks with party-colored umbrellas.
As a self-avowed slug, these limited options are great. I have no feelings of guilt for just sitting on the balcony watching the gentle flow of the river as we float by the tree rows lining the banks. I also gladly doze off on my chair as I pretend to read. Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya" has been a fantastic sedative. I've had to reread the same two pages three times and I still don't know how the hell each character is related.
John would love this part of the cruise. Gulls are cawing, or cackling or whatever verb gulls do, and the movement of the boat is so subtle. One could easily sleep from one port to the next.
After lunch we dock at Mandrogi, where Mama will learn about and paint her very own matrushka doll. I apparently will be beaten by birch branches. The excursion literature sold the spa experience as a massage without mention of the stick part. Perhaps I can try out pig Latin on them to forego that specific experience. Given that the main industry at this little village is tourism they probably understand Americans screaming "For the love of all things holy keep those strops away from my naked back!"
- comments