Too Much Good Food

Day 56, Grand Asia 2017

Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017 – At Sea

I have rarely gained weight on a cruise, but then I have never been on an 80-day cruise either. I’ve discovered some tips along the way to limit what some think is an unlimited opportunity to eat.

Today I threw those tips out the window when it came to our special Sunday brunch. I don’t know when I will ever be hungry again.

img_1794This is the second time the Amsterdam culinary team has put together this special brunch. They seem to schedule it for Sundays that land on sea days. One Sunday brunch was cancelled when we were experiencing the rough seas of the edge of Typhoon Lan near Japan. I believe we will have one more brunch before the cruise ends on Dec. 20.

Lunch is served every sea day in the dining room if you prefer to order from a menu rather than go through the Lido buffet. For Sunday brunch, there is a menu, but you don’t order.

img_1797-4The three-course meal includes small bites of several different items. I’m guessing that some people pick and choose which they want, but I managed to eat about all of the appetizer and main course samplers. I did just eat a small bite of one dessert.

And yes, I did have the two mimosas for the price of one special….

Not only did the big meal stick with me all afternoon, but we also turned our clocks forward an hour at 2 p.m., so by my usual dinner time of 6:30 or 7, I still had no interest in eating. I grabbed a small bite to eat just before the Lido buffet closed at 8 p.m., but only by habit, I think.

As to those tips I mentioned: I think the biggest one is just to get over the “I can eat anything” mindset. That idea was particularly popular 20 years ago, when cruise ships had midnight buffets and about 20 meals a day. Maybe you can do that for one week, but not for longer without gaining. I just remind myself that while I may be on vacation, I can’t always eat like I am.

The Amsterdam has lots of relatively healthy options. I like to have steel-cut oatmeal for breakfast, and there is a wide variety of fresh fruit. Lately I’ve been enjoying the papaya. Most days I have a small plate of sushi for lunch, and frequently cooked-to-order stir-fry vegetables for lunch, usually with some shrimp.

The desserts always look good, but I’m usually not too interested in them. If I have dessert, I try to just eat half or less, and never more than once a day.

I meant to step on the weight scale in the fitness center before we left San Diego but forgot. The scale isn’t too accurate while we’re at sea. I’ve been pleased to note that my clothes are not any tighter than they were when I came aboard, so I hope that’s a good gauge.

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img_1800Black Friday came and went while we were in Sydney, but the ship’s shops put on their own Black Friday sale earlier today. They had watches, jewelry, handbags and other items on sale, and actually counted down the seconds before opening the barrier that separated shoppers from the bargains. I didn’t see anything I needed, but at least I didn’t have to get up in the wee hours to see what they had. The sale started at a civilized 1 p.m.

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I was looking forward to the Rock Rhapsody entertainment tonight, billed as a tribute to the band Queen. Unfortunately, the artist was ill, but we had a wonderful piano concert by another Australian entertainer on board. I didn’t catch his name and it wasn’t written in the program, but I will come back and edit this when I get it.