Dance the Continental Way

August 19th Saturday Evening

Oh dear the posh Pants we bought 'Himself' for the Formal Cruise evenings are far too tight about the waist for a comfortable evening out. Rooting through the wardrobe I found a dark  pair of M&S Pants. They're not formal but I'm sure no one will notice. Mmmm, they're OK, but now his formal shirts are not a suitable match, oh dear neither is the formal jackets. Nancylee said this was a more formal, dress up evening. A meal and a Night club, a Chinese nightclub and were going with \Bob and Sally. Back in the depths of the wardrobe I pull out a nice dark coloured long sleeve shirt and a linen summer jacket. They all go together well. 'Himself' is muttering as per usual when he has to dress respectable. No, he won't wear a tie! OK, he looks good without anyway. I don my 'Buckingham Palace silk dress and beaded black cardy. If it's good enough for the Queen it's good enough for a Chinese Nightclub. Nancy looks lovely in a white evening two piece dress and jacket. A little bit of glitz around the neck and some bling bling earrings.

Nancylee and John arrive to collect us. Hang on a minute, where's John's jacket. 'Himself' needs no prompting and the jackets off in a flash! 

We arrive at an old style Richmond Shopping Mall with the shops around the outer edge and parking in the center. Surely there isn't a Nightclub here! But there is. Tucked away on a corner lot, we enter. The large room has all circular white cloth covered tables each with a  center circular glass carousel. We find Sally and Bob, who have arrived before us and we are shown to our table. The waiter gives us menus but as usual we all put them down and defer to Nancy and Nancylee to order.

Peking duck arrives first, in it's different forms, the crispy skin and tiny pancakes ,the chopped meat with lettuces leaves to wrap it in, and finally soup from the bones.A large live lobster is brought to the table for approval and is soon back cooked and chopped and served with noodles and greens. Dishes keep arriving at the table. Beef slices in a rich sauce. Prawns deep fried in a crisp batter and coated in a creamy mayonnaise. Silky green pea shoots and a dish of long stemmed broccoli. I can't remember other dishes but the waiters keep removing used plates and replacing them with clean ones. Finally after all the dishes are out and we're all so full we couldn't eat another morsel the waiters clear the tables, left overs are slid into 'carry home' boxes, New plates arrive and little cold mango   jellied puddings arrive. Tasty little sweets to cleanse the pallet and then,finally, a plate of fortune cookies. We each read out our fortune from the slip of paper in each cookie and erupt in gales of laughter.

As the waiters clear the table for the final time the musicians and a singer arrive on the raised dias at the end of the room. There's a clear dancing area. As soon as the music and singer begin couples come up to the dance floor. The female singer sings in Mandarin and English to well known Western songs. The couples on the floor dance in a very formal ballroom style. They're all good dancers and must have all been to the same dance classes. Bodies erect,  heads are tosses back and hands extended with a flourish. All ages are represented on the dance floor even small kids. Ever song brings couples to the floor. We watch, none of us would  attempt to compete with this level of professionalism!

Sally and I.

Me with 'Himself'

John and Nancy

Nancylee, Nancy with John getting in on the act!

Sally and Bob.

Sally get in on the act just as the camera clicks!

Nancylee can't resist either!

The swaying bodies on the dance floors not easy to capture with a little camera

After a while listening to the music and watching the dancing we all go back to Bob and Sally's home for a nightcap before a very late bed time for us rather  tired seniors. It's been a long full day.