Sailing off the coast of North Korea – Day 17

We are currently at 37 degrees north and 130 degrees east and have sailed 4,800 nautical miles from Seattle.  That puts us in the southwestern part of the Sea of Japan out of North Korean waters, so we no longer have to worry about having a USS Pueblo incident.

Tonight was a formal night.  Captain Eversen invited us to dine at his table with his girlfriend and four other couples.  We met in the atrium area for cocktails and canapés in a roped off area.  We were then escorted downstairs to the ship’s specialty restaurant for a menu chosen just for us.  The restaurant was closed to other guests so that the entire serving staff could devote its attention solely to us.  The room was decorated with Canadian flags and colors as the ship was celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving Day.  We started off with terrine of foie gras and pistachio served with spiced pear chutney and brioche crisp.  The dish was excellent even though foie gras is not my favorite.  Next was a butternut squash and granny smith apple soup which was terrific and in context with celebrating thanksgiving.  Lobster medallions with Bacardi limone sabayon followed.  All these courses were served with a French Pouilly Fuisse.  This was a wonderful pairing that the wine steward had arranged.

Duo of seared duck breast and duck confit cannelloni was served with a Zinfandel Trentedue.  Both were superb.  Dessert was a frozen Grand Marnier souffle and a side of ginger crème brulee and homemade caramel ice cream.  As a host gift, we were presented with a Holland America wine stopper and a signed copy by the Captain and his girlfriend of the night’s menu.

Excellent night and it was nice to meet four other couples.

Tomorrow, we dock in Pusan (Busan), South Korea.

Good night!