Our cruise on the Viking Octantis continues.  Tomorrow, a tour of Halifax, Nova Scotia.  But before my topic of the day, wines, first, some Trump news of relevance. President Donald Trump was the one who announced a  10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon .  Apparently, Hezbollah, too, will be included. The Commission of Fine Arts approved designs for a  250-foot tall triumphal arch , featuring eagles, Lady Liberty and a line from the Pledge of Allegiance.   This is a Trump-appointed board which also approved $400 million for Trump's White House Ballroom.   Will beome the tallest trimphal arch in the world, 86 feet taller than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, twice as that of the Lincoln Memorial and almost as high as the Capitol. Planned for Memorial Circle on Columbia Island directly across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial. My interest in wines keeps evolving.  Our New Orleans Ritz-Carlton Hotel room had a March copy of...

We paid an additional $135 to participate in the Sommelier's Lunch, the best we'll have on this trip.  I showed up early, so got the best seat in the house.  Started with Moét & Chandon Champagne and a 2008 Dom Perignon, to accompany scallops and caviar appetizers. The next course was Breaded Sweetbreads, artichoke hearts and truffle dressing, with a Meursalt Dessus 2019 White Burgundy. A pause with raspberry sorbet Moet splash, There were three main courses.  We selected the Lamp Loin with a 2018 Opus One. The dessert was Lemon Tart and Mango Gelato with a Far Niente Dolce 2018, ending with petit fours. Formal night, so I wore a tux. Two reds and a white. Caviar appetizer. Dinner of truffles risotto, Beef Wellington and pasta.  Then cheeses (with chocolate sauce), dessert and petit fours. I did nothing much else today.  Went to bed early.  Only walked 1737 steps.  Got to do better. Tomorrow we have another wine tasting. -