Thursday, April 19, 2012–Day 104- At Sea

After departure from Cadiz we set a southwesterly course to Madeira, a volcanic island in the Atlantic Ocean, our final port .  The staff had lifeboat safety drills throughout the day. It was entertaining watching them, yet a little unnerving as we head across this big ocean in storms.  Not many passengers were roaming around today with the rough waves. We learned we have 15 lifeboats that hold 150 passengers each.  In the back of the lifeboat there is a hatch that contains a rubber raft. That is what they are working with in the first picture; the raft unfolds face down, so they swim underneath it, grab a rope and as they climb the rope, it uprights the raft.  It was easier for the skinny guys to climb; the muscular ones were having a difficult time. The passengers are assigned a lifeboat; the crew is assigned a raft. That just isn’t right – I thought we did away with the cast system years ago.

We did our normal fitness workout; we’ve already peeled through the Weight Training book and have started over. I hope and pray we can continue to do this once we return home.

There was a sidewalk sale with souvenirs from Spain that we went to, but came out empty handed. Then, we met with the photographer and ordered all of our picture packages, and met with the shop manager to get a few things shipped for us. We then went to the Movie, “War Horse” which I would highly recommend. Then out for supper at La Fontaine.

We miss you guys, only 9 more days and we get to see Zack; 21 days and we’ll be back in Minnesota.  Some days it seems like we have been gone FOREVER.