FEB. 19th -- BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!

Good morning, sunshine!!
We have a sea-day today and are still cruising the Coral Sea.

We are travelling along the coast of Australia just outside the Great Barrier Reef.  We can see the waves breaking where the reef is and the light turquoise water inside the reef.

Beautiful.

We head out to the balcony right from bed.  Warm & lovely, bright & sunny.  What a great day to have a birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME🎈🎈🎉🎈

Birthday announcement on TV this morning.

At approx. 8:00 AM we went to the Coffee Connection for coffee and Jamie (Logan), Cruise Director stopped by our table,  shook my hand and got me a "birthday cappuccino"...we found out that Terry Bishop's birthday is tomorrow.

We head back to our room at about 10:00 AM and our butler, Reddy (his real name is Achutha) meets us at our door, wishes me Happy Birthday and opens the door for us.
Hmmmmm.
Inside -- the lights are off and the entry curtain is closed -- in the gloom floats a single balloon.
Hmmmmm.

Colour of the ballon is actually dark purple

Barry pulls back the curtain to reveal our room festooned with streamers and balloons floating on the ceiling.  On the bed is a 4-tier birthday cake made out of towels and the duvet is covered with red rose petals.  Rod Stewart is playing on our Bose player.
On the table is a white tablecloth covered with rose petals and chocolates and in the centre of the table is, of course, iced champagne.  The "Happy Birthday" banner over the balcony door makes everything perfect.
WOW.

What a wonderful surprise!!

Rose petals, chocolate & champagne

Gluten-free cake!! LOL

Crowded behind me is Reddy, Lemuel and Shannen...my "happy" is leaking out and I get Shannen leaking along with me.  They have totally thrilled and surprised me.

We have the champagne outside on the balcony around 11:30 -- before lunch.

Awesome birthday and it's not even noon yet.

We go to a Writer's Workshop this afternoon at 1:45 PM.  We meet Sue from Jamaica and her friend, Gwen.  The workshop lasts about 45 minutes and we walk away with homework!  Barry says he's not doing it and he's not going back!  Alrighty then.

At 4:00 Barry goes to the Pool Bar to meet his new Brit friends (Dave, Dave & Jim) and drink Guinness.  I stay in the room and work on the Blog.

We head out for our pre-dinner drink at Stars Lounge.  We just sit down and Sue & Gwen walk in so they join us.  We have a nice visit...where you from?...where do you get off?... why were you at the Writer's Workshop?  We have a very pleasant time but have to leave for our dinner reservation.

All dressed up for the Birthday dinner

68?...yup 68.

We have dinner reservation at Prime 7 tonight @ 7:00 PM.
When the Waiter sits us down he also puts a birthday card in front of me.  On the outside it says "Happy Birthday... to our own Maid Marian. (QUICK SIDE NOTE: When people ask me my name on board, I have been saying it's "Marian...like Robin Hood & Maid Marian"....the clarification helps.)
I open the card and it is from Jim & Alice...the Brits that are now living in South Carolina -- I am surprised and delighted by their thoughtfulness.
Barry tells me he also has birthday cards from him & the Hirschmanns but is saving them for later.

I have a glass of champagne while perusing the menu.  This is definitely my "Champagne" birthday.
Barry & I both order the New Zealand double-cut lamb chops, with creamed spinach and onion rings... and a nice, big Cabernet Sauvignon.
After that, there is a small birthday cake with one candle and all of the waiters singing "Happy Birthday".
Very lovely.

We head up to the Galileo Lounge for a "final final".

My "final final"

I have a Grand Marnier in a snifter and Barry has one on the rocks.  I open my wonderful birthday cards and all is well in my world.

So, even though we are away from home and missing our family & friends, this birthday, in the Coral Sea near Australia,  has turned out to be "the best birthday ever"!!!

Home & bed by 11:00 PM.
Thursday Island tomorrow.

BY THE WAY...If you have been having trouble leaving comments on this Blog, and many of you have said as much to me, I believe I have solved the problem.  So, please try again.  I love getting your comments.

                                 -- M & B..xx