This is a lazy post on a lazy afternoon. Considering all the things I could be doing but have chosen not to do, watching small birds seemingly suspended in the gentle breeze suddenly take a dive to skim the shimmering ocean surface for some unseen silvery catch.

Today we awoke to the rythmic rocking of the stabilizers, still a bit groggy having lost one hour overnight as we crossed a timezone. Sleep was an elixir we have seldom imbibed these past few months, ordinary worries and extraordinary stress crowding our dreams night after night. But as I wake up, my only worry is whether or not I'll have time for coffee and a pastry before my scheduled facial. This level of pampering sets the tone for a week of pure rest and relaxation.

We've spent the day doing not much at all; giddily absorbing the heat and the sunshine from the refuge of our balcony, eating prize-deserving burgers and sweet potato fries at the Trident Grill and generally having a heck of a time. Familiar faces greet us as several of the Lido guys come by to say hi. The are awesome and a Crystal cruise would not be the same without them. The Symphony feels just right; all decked out for Christmas it looks elegant and festive, welcoming and familiar. High tea in the Palm Court is pure joy; spotting the ocassional whale fluke off in the distance, listening to the fantastic string quartet play Mozart, wiping the clotted cream off my chin. We chat with Slovan, our Croatian waiter and discuss the virtues of Vancouver and Victoria both of which he's visited while doing the Alaska runs this past Summer. We agree that Victoria is the nicest of the two and that it is a bit like the Symphony; beautiful and very civilized.

We left Vancouver at an ungodly hour yesterday morning. Rain was peltering the tarmac as we took off. Minutes later the captain announced that the weather awaiting us in LA was, well, perfect! We arrived at the port before noon and within thirty minutes were being seated in the main dining room, our carry-on bag having been taken care of, a glass of bubbly firmly in hand. Everything is good.

Sail away was nothing short of magical. Yes I left my camera in our stateroom so my word will have to suffice. We left LA as the sun went down, a sliver of a moon hanging in the indigo sky above Catalina island , sun rays as I have only seen on religious paintings shooting up from behind a hill, palm trees in sharp contrast and Louie Armstrong singing in the background.

Mark Farris entertained us at the piano in the Avenue Saloon. This is one of our favourite hangouts for a pre-dinner cocktail. We had really enjoyed Martin Orbidans on our previous cruise but Farris did not disappoint. Dinner was a lot of fun even though we were seated at a table for nine -more on this later- and only two of our tablemates showed up. Andy and Rich from California are great table partners; we had a nice, long, entertaining dinnertime. Particularly enjoyed the marinated shrimp appetizer.

Best of intentions led us to the Palm Court for a little dancing but the band was on a break. We decided to call it a night.