Golden hour

With the movie finished and 40 minutes until dinner – Triton’s tonight! – we actually have a choice of receptions to attend. We can either go to the Castaway Club reception in one of the lounges, or head to the outdoor portion of the Beach Blanket Buffet on Deck 9 aft for the concierge reception. Frankly, there’s not much debate. The concierge reception is by far the more exclusive event, and one we can’t get to that often – notwithstanding that we’ve been to it on two out of our three cruises!

We take the elevator to Deck 9 and stroll down the starboard deck towards the stern of the ship. There’s a sign marking the concierge reception, and Lars and Thabi both are there to great us. A few other people are seated at the tables.

It is absolutely gorgeous outside. Of course, we are still docked in Nassau, with the city on one side and the Atlantis Resort on the other. Better yet, we’re in that “golden hour” time just before sunset when everything just glows warmly with the light of the setting sun. Just beautiful.

Thabi directs us to the food – like we wouldn’t naturally just gravitate there! It’s a nice reception spread, with vegetable rolls, fresh fruit skewers, barbecue wings, and oh, the coconut shrimp! Diehard shrimp lover that I am, I never liked coconut shrimp until I tried the Wonder’s at the concierge reception in 2003. Yum, yum, yum.

Of course, our feasting impulse is tempered just a bit by the fact that dinner begins in a little more than half an hour!

There’s also limited bar service, with red and white wine and a featured cocktail, the Bahama Mama. None of us drink, but Bob and Linda order the virgin version (say that ten times fast) of the Bahama Mama, and then Becky and Brandon follow suit. Benjamin and I stick with sodas.

We grab a table and enjoy our snack. The breeze is a bit cool, but it’s otherwise perfect out here.

Brandon and Benjamin visit the rail and report a wedding ceremony in sight below. We learn from Lars that it is a vow renewal ceremony, being conducted by Captain Henry on Deck 7. They couldn’t have picked a more beautiful place and time for it! The glow of the sunset off of the surrounding island buildings is amazing.

With our appetites, uh, appetized, we thank Lars and Thabi – again – for their graciousness and exit back to the Suite. I want to see for myself that multi-layer tray of cookies. (No, not to eat – we are on our way to dinner!)