Today is a pea-souper! Not in the Dutch traditional Erwtensoep that Holland America used to offer – the bowls of wonderful thick ham & pea soup served on deck to warm the hands and body through. Just in the way that the foghorn has been sounding all night every two minutes, and looks set to continue all day.
We already know our breakfast on deck is cancelled because of the weather, so last night placed a room-service order as we don’t like going to MDR or Colonnade for breakfast.
I cry off doing laps today as my ankle is suffering so I start work early and watch occasionally as the Husband does his. The “office” on deck nine is really cold and eventually we succumb to taking a dining table under the infrared heaters on eight, at least it means we’re outside.
I pop down to MDR to photograph Galley Market, a once-per-cruise showcase of provender, often served by staff we don’t see frequently, or don’t want to such as the red-epauleted nurses and doctor!
I‘m there just before Chef Christophe is ready to take the staff on a victory parade, great timing!
Working and reading the afternoon away, a jacuzzi visit is needed of course, and I do my 100 lengths, 1/2 mile swim. Before we know it, it’s time to shower and dress for dinner, slightly complicated tonight by our first visit to Solis this cruise because we could only get a 20:30 reservation.
We’re sat at Patio Bar enjoying our champagne and Kir Royal when suddenly the gods are smiling upon us – Dev the Earth & Ocean boss, takes a call to say our table is ready early. He escorts us with aplomb to Solis, such a gentleman!
We love the room, over the years it has been Restaurant2 (still the best incarnation) then Thomas Keller and now it’s called Solis, a Mediterranean themed restaurant. We know only too well that it’s impossible to please all the people all the time, and this restaurant completely supports this hypothesis – one wonders if the next evolution is already in the planning?
Regardless, the present day delivers to us seafood risotto and asparagus and avocado salad, then we both have veal cutlet which is fabulous, finally apricot & lavender tarte and vacherin (meringue, cream and ice cream) all quite excellent.
Tonight’s show is Skyline, which we have seen before, but this version has evolved, it’s a very enjoyable performance. Meanwhile the foghorn continues to sound!!
