Baltic Sea Cruise; Part IV

Our final day of the cruise was an "at sea" day...which was good!  After three INTENSE days of touring, it was nice to sleep in and be mellow!  The only problem with a day at sea, however, is figuring out what to do.  We don't gamble, so the casino was out.  We don't swim, so the indoor and outdoor pools were out.  We aren't particulary "exercis-y", so the fitness center was out.  We aren't TWELVE, so the arcade and game room were out.  The only thing left was walking the deck...

...and EATING, so we had breakfast, explored the top deck, watched a towel folding demonstration in the main lobby (think "towel-gami"...)...

The "towel-gami" elephant awaiting us in our room!

...watched a cake decorating demonstration (also in the main lobby), had lunch, and sat on our balcony, enjoying the Baltic Sea.

Duane being "contemplative" on the balcony!

We DID sign up for a wine tasting in the Atlantis Dining Room, which was TOTALLY fun!  All of our table mates signed up, and the head waiter told a couple at the next table that we were WAY fun, and that they should sit at our table, so they did! There were A LOT of people who signed up and didn't show up, so we were able to enjoy THEIR samples as well!  It was HOOT!

After the wine tasting, Duane and I walked the deck again for a little while, then got ready for our final dinner with "the gang".  I have to admit, I was REALLY sad that it was our last time to have dinner together.  SERIOUSLY fun group to spend time with!!!!!!

Teddy, Sarunas, and Venessa

Gary and Daryl

Table 214...Sarunas, Teddy, Venessa, Daryl, me, Gary, and Duane...THE table at which to sit!!!!

At the end of dinner, the serving staff sang us a song.  Here's a FUZZY shot of Yanka, our server (we were FAR away from the staircase on which they sang!). 

She is from Bulgaria, and the running joke during the week was that there's no word in Bulgarian for "fabulous" (which she was), so we had to settle for "better than good"...ALL WEEK LONG!!!!

After dinner, we weren't quite ready to part, so all headed to the Masquerade lounge for the "Tribute to the 70's" show.  It was a HOOT!  ABBA...need I say more??!!

After the show, we DID say goodbye to our new friends.  There was LOTS of hugging, and promises to "keep in touch" via Facebook and e-mail (which we HAVE done, and it's AWESOME to remain in touch!!!!).

We then took one more walk around the top deck...

...then went back to the cabin, started packing, and got ready for departure from the ship the next morning.  Surprisingly, this was the only night that I felt like I was on a ship.  The Baltic was a little "wavy", and it was WEIRD to be swaying back and forth in bed...STRANGE feeling (that didn't leave me for DAYS after we disembarked.  I SWEAR that every time I was in the bathroom in Stockholm, I needed to hold onto the wall to counteract the swaying...REALLY CRAZY!!!!)...

TO BE CONTINUED (one last time...)...