END OF GROUNDHOG DAY

  To begin my posting today, I asked Google AI, what is the status of the U.S.'s war with Iran:

The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has entered a new phase of intense economic warfare after a 60-day diplomatic window expired with no final peace deal. Following initial large-scale military operations launched on February 28, 2026, the conflict is now centered on a U.S. push for crushing financial sanctions, retaliatory maritime threats in the Strait of Hormuz, and persistent regional flashpoints. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

• 
  Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted and meager.
• Cost of this war?
• Pentagon Tally: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reported direct military spending has reached $37.5 billion, driven heavily by high burn-rates for expensive precision interceptors countering cheaper Iranian drones and missiles. [1, 2, 3]
• Consumer Energy Burden: According to energy cost trackers from Brown University cited in the Center for American Progress Fact Sheet, elevated gas and diesel prices tied to the conflict have added over $
• Long-Term Projections: Public finance experts, such as Harvard's Linda Bilmes, caution that when factoring in long-term care for wounded service members, debt service, and full equipment replacement, the ultimate total cost of the conflict to taxpayers could approach $1 trillion. [1]
• 
  From Center for American Progress:  
• The Trump administration’s war in Iran has cost at least $1,200 per household. With no end in sight, American families are paying a price.
• As there are 135 million households, this cost is $162 billion.
• Read the full details.

Now into why yesterday was not another Groundhog Day on the Azamara Journey.  Okay, we did wake up after Noon, and had our usual buffet lunch.

However, on my way to my cabin, I saw that there was a Patio Grill Festival, so took this video and had a second lunch.

Skipped the nap.  For dinner, went to a Japanese buffet.

This was our best buffet meal on this ship.  The rice was actually real rice this time.  The miso soup tasted like miso soup.  The tuna sashimi was fresh.  Tonkatsu was tonkatsu.  Almost unreal.

Went to see Gigi and Jose in the Den.

Followed by comedian George Case in the Cabaret Lounge.

Even The Living Room was different, for featured was the theater band and singersl

At midnight, went to the 10th floor observation deck to view what could have been an Aurora Borealis.

But, nope, only stars.  However, the cruise write-up never had indicated this would be possible, so no disappointment for us.  From Cruise Critic:

• Northern Lights cruises work best in the Arctic Circle during long, dark winter nights, with December through March offering the strongest odds.
• Hurtigruten’s select itineraries include a Northern Light Promise, and if no aurora appears, travelers receive another Norway cruise free.
• Late September to late March or early April is the viewing season, while some late September or early October Alaska sailings can also see auroras.
• Booking flexibility matters because sightings are not guaranteed; travelers can use spaceweather.com, apps, and ship announcements to track possible viewing.
• Warm layers, windproof outerwear, winter boots, and a tripod or monopod are recommended, along with scouting the ship’s darkest viewing spot.

Here is a Holland America Line video on the Alaska Cruise Northern Light Season. Well, that didn't say much.  What about the Norewegian Spirit?

Tomorrow I'll report on our White Night evening.  Yes, Groundhog Days are over, for we further had this celebration last night, and it went generally well.

I've been watching Typhoon Saudel, and it is still a Category 3.  However, there was a weakening today, and the eye will pass north of the main Okinawa island tomorrow, than make landfall over China a couple of days later s a Category 1.