(AT SEA, Feb. 19, 2003) - The highlight of today was an invitation-only dinner at the "Captain's Table". Hotel Manager Henk J. Mensink invited 24 of us to a dinner in a private room where we were given the full VIP treatment.

  Exactly why we were included I haven't been able to find out, but it was a memorable dinner. Each course was preceded by the ringing of a Chinese gong after which a steward announced the name of the course and how it was prepared.

  The main course was filet mignon, which was placed in front of each diner covered by a silver bell-shaped cover. At a signal, all the covers were removed by waiters at the same instant.

  Prior to the dinner, members of the ship's orchestra played for the diners' pleasure. The dinner was concluded with presentation of souvenir ceramic reproduction of actual Amsterdam Dutch houses imprinted with their addresses.

  Tomorrow our three-day sea interlude concludes as we anchor off Easter Island and board tenders to go to land for a tour of the stone moai (pronounced moe-eye), the outstanding feature of the island.