Monday

Monday 7^th March

Getting adventurous updating blog and attempt at piccies.

Today is a day at sea. There was a crossing the equator ceremony. We didn't attend as we were advised to wear swimsuits – but we could have been tempted if they had put ice down our backs as on Hurtigruten crossing the Arctic Circle!

There was a 'rehearsal” for the eclipse in terms of choosing a spot on the boat and you could see just where the sun would be on eclipse day. It is 45 degrees, at 9:48am, so a good time and angle.

Tomorrow we go onshore at Ternate – anther island in the Indonesian archipelago. Indonesia is such a diverse country – so many islands and cultures that you wonder how it ever got to be the one country!

We have come to appreciate the food – it is very elegantly presented, even for the buffet. There are little glasses of mousse, or crème brulee with fois gras! Will take a pic later.

Today's attempts at piccies below are KM at Bandar Naira, a colonial building at Bandar Naira, a fort with the ship in the distance, and a sunset photo with the island of Rhun on the left. The story is told that the English (who got Rhun) did a swap with the Dutch (who got New Amsterdam now known as New York). Such was the lure of spices! KM says colonial squabbles at the expense of the locals.