The depressing weather continues, however I intend to the most of it. While the temperature wasn't brilliant (maximum of 20 degrees), I took the opportunity in the afternoon to spend some time outside in the fresh air.

Using some stacked deck chairs as a wind break and rugged up in a jumper with a couple of towels as blankets, I’m happy to report that I got a good couple of hours out in the elements and may have even managed a nap.

Around mid afternoon, the officer of the watch came over the loud speakers to let us know that we were heading towards some rain. The threat of rain wasn’t immediate as it took about 30 minutes for it to hit the pool deck where I had strategically set myself up. I say strategically, as I had managed to place my chair just far enough back under the shadow of the above deck to enable the rain to fall close enough to watch and yet stay lovely and dry. Had I had another towel or two, I could say warm and dry.

Interestingly, I wasn’t the only person utilising the pool area to get some fresh air. Due to the temperature and distinct lack of sunshine, there were no people running around in shorts, but instead people were enjoying the outdoors while rugged up as much as possible. I’m sure most of the used pool towels that were put into the bin had been used as blankets and pillows.

Having escaped the crowds for a couple of hours and possibly verging on the edge of hypothermia, I headed back inside and to the cabin to check on the patient – the patient was no better than this morning and as such will continue to be confined to the cabin, where she must continue to drink liquids and watch TV until she feels better.

Either fortunately or unfortunately (depending on how you look at it), the patient was feeling well enough to go down to the restaurant for the Indian themed dinner that was on offer. As we sat down for dinner, a big thunderstorm came quite close to the ship. In the beginning we thought it was people doing some flash photography but were corrected when we heard some thunder as well. We spent the best part of the meal watching the lightening getting closer and closer.

Here’s hoping the storm brings better weather for tomorrow and our stop at Easter Island.

Fun fact:
The surface temperature of the Pacific Ocean can vary between -1.4 degrees at the polar areas to around 30 degrees around the equator.