STILL HERE

 Thats us chilling at breakfast, we have a nice spot at the back of the boat. Captain Leo tells us little aphorisms from his grandfather during his daily talk. I noticed that when the going gets tough, grandfather doesn't appear, recently granddad has been ever present - good news. We are the only Celebrity ship at sea with passengers, yesterday we received video messages from crew of sister ship Equinox, wishing us all the best. I have never seen such a level of ship cleaning since we have been on board. Even the walls are regularly scrubbed, the seats must get cleaned 4 or 5 times a day. Everything appears spotless. The cabin man has a different cloth set for every cabin. Still no flights. Entertainment is now produced fresh from the entertainment staff we have on board. We haven't had a repeat show or lecture in 27 days.

POLLYWOG OR SHELLBACK?

That is the question. We were already Shellbacks, but now everyone else on board are also since 9:45 this morning. That is when we crossed the equator. Sailors use those names to refer to people who have not, or have crossed the equator & paid tribute to God Neptune. We held the ceremony of kissing the fish at the swimming pool, we had done it before & it was so crowded we went for strawberry daiquiris to pay our tribute. It worked, the sea's been really calm. We called in at Manta, Ecuador to pick up some medication and drop off a heart attack passenger. All passed relatively smoothly and we have been sailing steadily north, still expecting to arrive in San Diego on Monday 30 March. This is now the longest we have been at sea without going ashore - some 11 days. Saw our old compatriot, Azamara Pursuit in the distance. Celebrity have been trying to arrange flights for us when we get to USA. Some bad news for 170 of us who won't be getting off but are going back to Mexico. I can only guess that these are folks who don't meet US entry requirements.

DOLPHIN DAYS

Yesterday was work day, I spent most of trying to sort out the disaster that is the remainder of our trip - cancelling hotels, car hires, speaking with trip organisers, the whole nine yards. Today was day of rest, up later, leisurely breakfast, lecture on the battle of the Atlantic, paying tribute to the health workers around the world then after lunch a restful lounge on our balcony. It's nice warm & sunny and our doze was interrupted by a large dolphin school (see, they're not all shut down) several hundred, all spinning and jumping & putting on a show for us. Just to calm down we had to have strawberry daiquiris. Our captain Leo always gives us one of his grandfather's anecdotes. Today was, don't forget Leo, you are very special, just like everyone else.

GOOD NEWS VIEW

Well, we're finally off. That's us powering 22 knots away from Chile, after 6 days enforced stay. We found it difficult to get the medical supplies required for the journey home. Apparently we are making a stop at Manta, Ecuador(I think) to pick up medication. I gather it is insulin that is needed. Captain Leo advises we should arrive in San Diego on 30 March. Fingers crossed. So far we are still well & handsomely provisioned & entertained.

ECLIPSE THEME SONG

Otis sings...

Sittin' in the morning sun
I'll be sittin' when the evening comes
Watching the ships roll in
Then I watch them roll away again, yeah

I'm sittin' in Valparaiso Bay
Watchin' the tide roll away, ooh
I'm just sittin' in Valparaiso Bay
Wastin' time

I left my port in B.A.
Headed for San Antonio Bay
Cuz I've had nothing to sail for
And look like nothing's gonna come my way

So, I'm just gon' sit in Valparaiso Bay
Watchin' the tide roll away, ooh
I'm sittin' in Valparaiso Bay
Wastin' time

Looks like nothing's gonna change
Everything still remains the same
I can't do what ten people tell me to do
So I guess I'll remain the same, listen

Sittin' here resting my bones
And this loneliness won't leave me alone, listen
Two thousand miles I roam
Just to make this port my home, now

I'm just gon' sit in Valparaiso Bay
Watchin' the tide roll away, ooh
Sittin' in Valparaiso Bay
Wastin' time

LIMBO...

that's the land, not the dance. Well we sailed up from San Antonio to Valparaiso once we were not allowed to enter harbour. We have dropped anchor, but are still not allowed to dock. All the Chileans got off. You can see the guard boat keeping an eye on us. The Azamara Pursuit in the same situation has been following us around. I hear they're on their way to Miami. Because we are not docked, refueling a provisioning is all from barges which a difficult & slow process. To make things worse our provisions were in the wrong port & it has been slow getting them transfer & customs cleared. This has been  going on for 2 days but the captain announced this should be complete overnight and we should set sail to San Diego USA, where we have permission to dock. What happens when we get there is anyone's guess. Bussed to airport & straight on evacuation plane or quarantine on Alcatraz. There is a sort of wildness on board with lots of odd costumes - it's certainly very lively.

WHAT NEXT........?

Well, no sign of us getting off. The Captain reports he is preparing to sail elsewhere. Meanwhile mood on ship is good, food hasn't run out yet, the drinks are all free, the internet is free, entertainment continues while the rest of the world has gone nuts. It has the feeling of Nevil Shute's book On The Beach. Weather's good, sea's calm, what more could you ask. (Perhaps I could dance a bit better)