The night before Mauritius

Thursday, 26th February.

Today has been very speedy but rough sailing; we have been doing at least 27 knots and that's fast! We have rolled and pitched and alot of folk are sea sick or queazy, including George. I seem to be fine thank goodness. The weather has become hot and humid and it is wonderful eating out on deck behind the dining room.

George taught as usual at 8 am and I did my theatre (Shakespeare) class after our mandatory Global study lectures. There were two speakers and the subject was coral reefs which we shall be seeing tomorrow. The first was horribly technical/scientific but the second was informative and fun. Unfortunately the world's reefs are shrinking and being destroyed by a number of things including fishing, especially if dynamite is used! Also of course various chemicals are changing the under sea ecology and some reefs are simply dying and disintegrating. Apparently this is true of both the Hawaiian and Mauritian reefs....we visit Hawaii at the end of our voyage.

I had my first ever pedicure this afternoon; if you haven't tried it do. I don't recognise my feet! Lovely red nails. George had his yesterday and keeps staring at his feet in wonder....are these really mine?! Who'd have thunk it?

After our pre-port briefing tonight we had a rehearsal in the Union where we shall be performing The Persians. I have mentioned the vibrating ceiling in there before....well tonight the sound effects as the ship literally bumped along were like thunder and we were staggering around like drunks...really dramatic stuff!

George and I are going to the beach tomorrow on an islet off Mauritius called L'isle de deux cocos/ We shall be seeing the coral reef both snorkelling and in a glass bottomed boat. We are only docked for one day and leave again tomorrow evening at 10 pm....we all wish it was much longer.

Shall hope to have some photos for you. It is not always possible to use our computers so it may take a day or two.

Good night from the tropics!