Day 34 – Sail the South Pacific Ocean

The beautiful, azure blue color of the South Pacific Ocean continues to dazzle me. It’s so lovely, especially since the waters are quite calm.

The Deep Blue Sea

Tim and I started our morning at sea by sleeping late and then watching Patrick Goodness’ lecture on “Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia Up Close” from the comfort of our bed. Oceania, which is comprised of these three geographic areas, is the largest region in the world, yet it is the least populated. As Patrick described the ancient origins and the cultural differences between these areas, I was surprised to learn that New Zealand, a part of Polynesia, was the last major landmass on earth to be populated by humans. The Polynesians finally landed there around the thirteenth century, and their descendants are the Māori people.

The People of Oceania - Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia

According to Patrick, good lectures give you answers, while great lectures leave you with more questions, and that is exactly what he wants for us. His lectures include comparisons that are relevant to our lives, and he encourages us to consider the similarities between the peoples and cultures we encounter, not the differences.

Since I continued to feel much better, I joined Tim in Mamsen’s for a late breakfast. Then, the spring rolls that I enjoyed so much while I was sick lured me to The Restaurant for lunch.

Food seemed to be the focus of the day, and Tim and I dined at The Chef’s Table for a special menu from Guest Chef Pepi Anevski, entitled Japan: Cuisine from an Island Nation. It was described this way:

A five-course tasting menu showcasing the flavors and textures of Japanese cuisine.

The Menu for Japan, With Descriptions of the Five Courses Pictured Below

Amuse Bouche, Appetizer, Soup, Main Course, and Dessert

Both Tim and I Thought the Meal Was Excellent