Traveling with Ellen

  We docked here and took a tour at 8 am around the island of Mariehamm.  It's interesting that here on this Finish island, the only language spoken besides English is Swedish.  So we have a Finish country with an island speaking the language of another country. It's a small island and our tour was appropriately 2 hours.  The island is really pretty and green and of course, water everywhere. We made our first stop at an overlook into the river that which we approached the island.   From there we went to one of their oldest medieval churches and while we couldn't go inside, the church was pretty and the grounds beautiful. Our next stop was at the Maritime Quarter for a look at the other side of the island and a brief shopping trip.   We were driven out to the end of the archipelago to see more of the island and then dropped off at the town center.  There was a nice pedestrian walking and shopping area.  Wayne found a florist and bought sm...

  A sleep-in day!  Definitely needed. At 9:30 am, a cruise buddy and I attended a special French Cooking class with the Chef De.Cuisine of The Chef's Table and and Mamsens.  Born in Capetown South Africa, and presently living in the Philippines when he's not on board, we spent the best 3 hours ever with Chef preparing a three course meal that we were able to enjoy ourselves. The first thing he prepared was dessert, a Bailey's Irish Cream Chocolate Mousse as it needed time to set up.  Whipping the eggs and sugar  Filling the individual ramekins with the mousse and adds a few raspberries  The first course was a seafood course. Marmite Dieppoise (creamy fish stew). This "starter" could have been the main course! It was made with most of the ingredients above. It included muscles, scallops, shrimp and monk fish in a creamy leek broth. With a crunchy piece of bread to sop up the stew, it was Incredible! We prepped the ingredients as Chef explained what we ...