Our First Sea Day

Yesterday, we had our first chance to relax and do nothing and we took full advantage of the opportunity. After a leisurely breakfast in the full-service restaurant where we have discovered the delectable tastes of Swedish Pancakes (crepes) with lingonberry sauce, we adjourned to our room for our morning nap. After a light lunch it was back to bed for our afternoon nap. I arose in time for the "bluenose" ceremony where passengers were christened on the nose by the captain with blue whipped cream to show that we had sailed above the Arctic Circle. Norma woke in time for dinner which we enjoyed with the two bridge teachers on board. The two women met playing bridge online. The American owns her own accounting company where she specializes in international tax. The other is Canadian and a teacher in Victoria.
Norma and I have been busy using up our shipboard credits. Our first purchase was a souvenir Faberge egg each. Norma has a couple of new tops and slacks. I have a couple of new tops and some new jewelry. Norma bought a jacket which I liked so much that I got one identical to hers. Other passengers can certainly tell we are sisters as we have been wearing them a lot. Since we have been such good customers, we were offered a chance to be in a fashion show, modeling some of our new duds and as a bonus, sporting some very expensive jewelry. We were hoping to have our hair and makeup done but no such luck. This happens on our next sea day so will have a full report later.
The weather is still sunny but very cold when the wind is factored in. It is only 10 degrees Celsius and the winds are brisk. Even bundled up in all our warm clothes and a duvet, it is too cold to enjoy our balcony. The long underwear is coming out for tonight's shore excursion. I should also mention that we are having to use our sea legs as we are feeling the motion of the waves now.
This morning at breakfast, the waiter came over to the table with a full container of maple syrup without our having to ask for it. Norma puts it in her tea, on her fresh fruit, on her yogurt, on her musli, and, of course, on her Swedish pancakes. I must admit to using it quite a bit myself! We plan a light lunch and an early cheeseburger dinner in our room before our excursion tonight to the North Cape. The sun will not set tonight so plan to visit the harbour town of Honningsvag before we return to the ship tonight around midnight, I suspect.
We have our first bird excursion tomorrow but I have already seen my very first Atlantic Puffins flying near the ship!