One last thing
I was sifting through my photographs and a whole heap of ephemera I collected during the last three weeks, thinking that I’d recorded everything worth sharing here. Except, there was a small collection of photographs that I’d taken using my phone rather than my camera and I had (almost) forgotten about those. Seeing them reminded me of two special evenings we shared on board Navigator, certainly evenings I’d like to remember. You know how some of the best memories are those which happen sitting around a table? Well, that’s the case here.
Let me set the scene. We’d met friends Jan and Dave in Copenhagen for dinner on the evening before we boarded Navigator. We’d seen them once or twice the following day, but when we were in Skagen, we were surprised that we didn’t bump into them at all. On a ship with only 350 or so guests on board, it’s very likely that paths cross frequently and we feared that perhaps they were avoiding us!
The answer came as we returned to the ship following the Sandworm tour. Jan was standing on their verandah with the awful news that Dave had a positive CV test which meant five days quarantine. Not much more than a day later, Jan tested positive too. We have no real evidence where they caught it, but a Ryanair flight seems to be a reasonable guess.
Five days later, to celebrate their freedom, we planned a special dinner in Compass Rose, the main restaurant, for an Indian Feast. We invited friends Jeanette and Paul too and over the next few days we let Nino, the restaurant manager work the magic with our favourite Indian deputy restaurant managers Binu, Vishnu and his twin brother Shambu. I can’t recall when we learned that such special menus can be created with some notice on all the Regent ships, but at times like this, it’s our favourite thing to do.
With negative tests thankfully complete, the six of us met for drinks and arrived in the restaurant to be greeted with menus specially created for the occasion.
The starter, Alloo Chat and Papardi salad arrived and the fun began. Now, here, a little experience paid off, because such things are pretty delicious and it’s easy to forget there will be plenty still to come.
Like more starters: Samosas, Choli Tiki chickpea cakes and chicken tikka….
and bread. Wonderful naan, roti, parata and poppadums, all freshly made by the best Indian bakers on board and presented so beautifully on the Versace side plate!
Having served each one of us, the remaining samosas etc were placed, with the bowls of chutney in the centre of the table, so tempting! In the meantime, Devendra made sure our glasses were never empty and quietly topped them up when we weren’t looking!
A short time for a rest, before the main courses were served. Beef Korma, Butter Chicken, Channa Masala, Malabar Fish Curry, Jera Pulao and Dal Tarka, made by expert Indian chefs to authentic recipes and served so beautifully. Surely someone was going to eat those amazing poppadums?!
I’ve still got bread, too. Oh my.
Thankfully, the night was young, the conversation was excellent and we had time to sit and savour it all. Devendra, Javid or Cyrel passed by with a bottle or two from time to time and made sure we were not thirsty. Then, just as we felt pleased with ourselves for doing the dishes justice, Vishnu came along with more…
Yes, the poppadums were still there too - though not for much longer!
Eventually, we called Uncle and requested a short breather. Did we really have room for dessert? For Pumpkin Halva, for Kaju Kathli and for ice cream? Of course we did! Delicious!! What a fabulous evening - an Indian Feast indeed and a great celebration of negative CV tests if ever there was one!
But I did say “two memorable evenings” at the start, and having enjoyed this dinner so much, Paul and Jeanette decided to repay the pleasure by organising a feast of their own and we were delighted they invited us too!
With the end of our cruise coming up all too soon, we were a happy bunch of friends around the table, this time for an Asian menu. We each eyed the menu carefully, knowing that we’d have to pace ourselves more effectively this time!
But did we? Fresh and crispy Spring rolls…
Fab Chicken Satay (with more chicken than stick!) and a delicious Thai beef salad that I seem to have eaten before I took a photo! (I think that was a hit with us all)
Next came the Wonton soup with pork dumplings and as before, extras were either placed on the table or brought as second servings.
Finally, the main course of Sweet and Sour Chicken, Korean noodles, Yungchow fried rice and Chinese beef and broccoli with steamed rice.
How could I refuse any of those? Just as with the Indian menu, these dishes were all prepared with such care and skill and when Chef Kelly stopped by our table to check all was well, there was a unanimous thumbs up from us all, especially for the Thai beef salad. “That one’s my baby”, he said with a grin. Here’s hoping it appears on a menu soon!
Utterly stuffed but as always, maybe we’ll have room for dessert! Mango rice pudding was a fairly good substitute for my all time favourite Thai mango and sticky rice and since it came with ice cream too, what’s not to love?!
Just time for a nightcap then, to celebrate another lovely evening in marvellous company. Much as we feel sad as a cruise draws to a close, we wonder how we would manage if we ate like this too often? A new wardrobe would be needed, for sure! But how lucky to be able to do it at all.
Here’s to good food shared with good friends and thanks to all of those who created all of those fabulous dishes and served them so beautifully. Last but not least, to Devendra, Cyrel and Javid, who never failed to remember each of our favourite wines!
