Today is the first of two sea days we will spend going to Malaysia and Brunei on the South China Sea. This is a hot region in the world, in more ways than one.
It feels like we are starting a brand new cruise trip. The last of the good friends we established on the ship debarked in Bali, along with a great many others. We have a new captain, and a new cruise director on board. The ship is carrying now only ca 600 passengers, about half capacity. We notice it in the restaurants.
For the last couple of months, we sat regularly at dinner with Peter and Doris. We bid them adieu in Bali. They bequeathed us their places at the table. So now we sit at a table for 6 all alone.
Our head waiter, Aristeo, is still there, which is a small comfort. Eva, who was responsible for drinks, has been transferred to a bar.
Two nights ago, we joined Monika and Helmut, fellow world travelers, at their table. They too no longer had their regular dinner companions. Eve had invited them to join us at “our” table. But they feel comfortable in their long established dinner places.
Tonight we return to “our” table, lest it be commandeered by someone else. What a dilemma. Many of us remain at “our” tables, but end up eating alone. It could get worse. The ship will leave Singapore with only 400 passengers, 1/3 capacity. Stand by.
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