common to the Isle of Man encourages a grand growth of ferns, ten foot high wild fuchsia, and thick ivy all of which is intermingled with fine spiked grass, bright orange Lilies, Bilberry, Fieldwoodrush, and lots of beach shrub. August is the prettiest season for wild flowers. Bright yellow Gorse, Bracken, and Purple Heather were a wonderful substitute for the sun we lost sight of before arriving on shore via tender.

As we climbed toward the summit, we spotted a number of very colorful birds, similar looking to quail, sporting bright red heads. There were dozens of horned sheep along the way often clinging almost sideways on steep slopes, their faces painted in black, their legs in black marbled stripes.

The weather kept us from doing much once at the summit of Snafell. The scenery was shrouded in white fog. Everyone huddled inside the cafe until we headed back down to the center of Douglas. Robert and I then headed back to the ship while Dorothy and Jean braved the rainy weather to go shopping. The tender ride back to the ship was the bumpiest yet: Ten foot swells!

This afternoon the four of us once again played trivia and then Bingo. We lost trivia by 3 points. I won at Bingo. My reward: $32!

Tonight was our second formal dining night. Robert once again dressed in his new suit. The dark socks I insisted he bring along to wear were matched a la typical Robert. One was a dark blue, the other a dark green. That's what he packed! He told me, "Life is too short to sort socks." The tie he wore was yet another story. I couldn't talk him out of one of his favorites; the one with the bright red tomatoes!

Our final hurray for the day was to play "Name That Tune" trivia. We won correctly guessing 21 out of 25 (actually Dorothy, Robert and another passenger did all the guessing). Robert and I were very pleased with the prize: Holland America hats! We have been wanting those since the second day when we first saw someone else win them.

With all the game playing we do, the cruise assistants are really getting to know us!

Last night, we stayed up later than usual to watch the Indonesian Crew Show. This show was presented by members of the kitchen, dining, and housekeeping staff and turned out to be very delightful!They all presented dances, songs, and then a group of 25 played bamboo instruments. Each instrument is a different size thus a different note. That was extremely entertaining. One of the dances called the "Dance of a Thousand Hands (pictured above) was especially unique and amazing. The Indonesian experience was well worth attending and very refreshing in the way the crew totally enjoyed performing.

The fun continues. Tomorrow we are looking forward to seeing the Giant's Causeway after going ashore in Belfast, Northern Ireland!