Last Day at Sea Before Our Komodo Island Visit

Cruising along Indonesia's many islands; life on board, lectures, of course, and a port talk about Bali, which is the day after Komodo Island.

Rita got some extra rest this morning while I took care of some real estate business until the brunch around the pool on Deck 7. Here’s a video of the offerings that were laid out in addition to an egg-and-fixings tent at the opposite end. I had already had breakfast, so I concentrated on the lunch part of brunch….

Rita enjoyed the breakfast I had brought to the room while she was sleeping, and she skipped lunch, going straight to play cards with her friends on Deck 2, left to right: Linda, Margaret, Rita and Maggie. They’re playing canasta:

I went to the stern to take a few pictures including this one of a couple enjoying the infinity pool. I asked about temperature, and the woman replied “bathtub.”

Then I turned starboard and caught this view of a particularly tall volcanic island a few miles to the north:

The two morning lectures which I missed because of real estate work (which I had to complete before noon because of the time zones) were 1) about the Chinese and American geopolitical rivalry in this region, and 2) “The Hindu Gods of Bali.” I’ll have to stream them with Rita this evening on our stateroom TV.

Tonight’s musical performance will highlight the talents of our cruise director, Bruce Allen Scudder. accompanying the ship’s four vocalists in a musical revue, probably featuring Broadway standards. Here are the first and third paragraphs of his 2006 bio from when he was cruise director for Holland America from 1992 into the 2000s:

A native Michigander, Bruce's winning appearance on a television talent show at the age of seven led to TV commercials, radio and print ads, and public appearances all over the USA billed as “Little Brucie Scudder.” After graduating from the University of Michigan with a degree in piano performance, Bruce earned a double masters degree in piano performance and conducting from the Juilliard School in New York. He has worked in virtually every area of show business as a music director and pianist, conducting for and accompanying dozens of the world's best entertainers….

Bruce makes his home in Jacksonville, Florida, where he has an extensive collection of art and antiques, including a stunning display of glassware from the estates of celebrities from the “golden age of Hollywood.” Bruce is also a skydiving enthusiast and has jumped from a perfectly good airplane in Cairns, Australia at 14,000 feet with a 10,000-foot freefall.

According to the write-up in today’s “Viking Daily,” Bruce “has had the privilege of conducting for and accompanying dozens of the world’s best entertainers including…” followed 11 well-known names from Carol Channing and Petula Clark to Victor Borge “and many more.” We already knew Bruce was an accomplished pianist, having seen him accompany various singers earlier on the cruise.

Bye for now…