It seems like we are floating in the middle of the ocean in our own little bubble where time is really immaterial to us. As we have travelled westward for this world cruise, we have had about 22 days when we have put the clocks back for an hour, and only once did we have to put the clock forward, so we have had many 25-hour days - how often have you wished for an extra hour in the day????
When we went to bed on Tuesday evening, there was a message on the bed, as usual, that the clocks would be going back another hour overnight so we dutifully changed our watches and phone clocks before we went to sleep. Arnold got up during the night and found a piece of paper under the door to say that there wasn’t a time change and it was a mistake, so we readjusted all the clocks. As you can imagine, next morning, confusion reigned as some passengers didn’t get the notice under their door (it was in the box beside the door) and so were running late for everything - every clock on the ship seemed to be on a different time for a while.
There has been lots of joking over the past few days as generous friends have offered free drinks on the 1st September, and the cruise staff have been offering free drinks at every bar all day on the 1st.
However, we went to sleep last night on the 31st August, and woke up this morning on the 2nd September - that bump during the night was just the ship crossing the International Date line - so we are now officially on the same day as Australia and we are two hours ahead of you - on NZ time until after we leave Auckland on Sunday.
Obviously there is a downside to losing a day - especially if it is your birthday on the 1st ... not to worry .... Princess had arranged a special birthday party this afternoon for everyone who has a birthday on the 1st and 2nd of September with their families .... what a fabulous gesture. Our friend Ed, has been lucky enough to celebrate his birthday over both days .... maybe it is just one long party .... Happy birthday, Ed .....
I think we have had the last of our days on deck ... the temperature is definitely cooler today and it will continue to drop as we get closer to New Zealand and then Sydney.
Tonight is the last of the formal nights with a special Farewell dinner .... we will be losing our Kiwi friends and dinner partners - Anthea, Dennis, Ray and Paula when we arrive in Auckland ... we have had a fabulous time together .... the time has gone so quickly ... it is hard to believe that his adventure is coming to an end ... but we have made some wonderful friendship which I am sure will last a lifetime. Many are already booked on future cruises that we are also booked on, so no doubt we will catch up again .. either in Australia, New Zealand, the US or even on the high seas....
Cheers
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