23rd January I think I'm turning Japanese

 

So here we are in the US Virgin islands, St Thomas to be precise., which greeted our arrival with fabulous rainbow as we looked from the stern of the ship at the only other ship in port. A nice change after yesterday's veritable flotilla. 

As will become a characteristic of this trip, we had made no plans other than to take the Sky Ride up to Paradise Point, a tropical equivalent of the cable car up to the Heights of Abraham in Matlock Bath. At 30 US each for the return trip lasting 7 mins each way it wasn't the cheapest trip but considering TOM's neighbour Emma had recently paid the same amount for 4 coffees in NY, I suppose that put it into perspective. 

And the views from the top looking out across the deep water harbour dotted with islands, boats of all shapes and sizes plus a US aircraft carrier were stunning and we easily managed to pass 90mins just soaking in the panorama. After that the possible taxi ride to Charlotte Amelie vanished as quickly as the sudden short sharp shower appeared, meaning we were back on the ship by 11am, ust in time to not join in with a game of deck quoits. Although a deck 10 crazy golf challenge might well be on the cards later this afternoon. Late bulletin; it wasn't.

But what we did do was have our first speciality dining experience of the trip with a visit to the Umi sushi bar up on deck 11. The is a pay extra treat but as it didn't involve paying too much extra, it was a good option. And over the course of almost two hours we enjoyed toe appetisers whilst we waited comprising endame beans cooked in garlic, followed by miso soup with seaweed and tofu. Then came the actual starters where we shared some seafood dumplings and pork spring rolls served with a couple of sauces, one of which certainly helped to clear my sinuses.

Then it was time for the main course made up of 10 different sushi selections grouped together as the Chef's Special, which was by far the easiest option to chose from as neither of us had much knowledge of sushi sub species. In fact this was the first time I had ever eaten it!!!

 And let's just say that eating the selection of raw and possibly barely dead offerings was 'different'. So much so that by the last ,mouthful was swallowed I half expected to have Ant and Dec appear to announce I'd won 10 gold stars for successfully completing the Bushtucker Challenge. Luckily I still had room for the sweet mango and pineapple crumble served with lemongrass ice cream and a final glass of port in the very nice Bar Eleven.