Caribbean Archives - Woman on Her Way

Day 5: St. Kitts

St Kitts and Nevis are volcanic islands in the West Indies that constitute one country: the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. The west side borders the Caribbean Sea and the east coast faces the Atlantic. About 98% of the residents are literate and the residents call themselves Kittitians.

As we arrived Basseterre, there was a rainbow arching the sea and the black rocks and black sand that characterize this volcanic island. There is a scenic railroad ride that interested us because it would give us an opportunity to see the entire country. This one-of-a-kind narrow gauge railroad was built almost a century ago to deliver sugar cane from the fields to the sugar mills in the capital, Basseterre. It would have been fun riding in the open-air double-deck railcars through the rainforests and through the small villages and farms. Once again, Dennis was not up to the trip. There is a lot to do in St. Kitts and we hope to return to this beautiful island.

Once a week when in port, the ship trains the crew. We watched from our deck as the crew attempted to rescue the dummy or learned how to manipulate the lifeboats. It is a relief to know that everyone undergoes this training.

Our next two days are sea, so there will be little to report. Thank you for following us on this relaxing and restorative cruise.

Day 4: St. John’s Antigua

Happy Thanksgiving! It seems strange celebrating this day of gratitude without friends and family. Though our gathering this year is small, we each have many reasons to give thanks.

We docked at 8 am. From a distance, we could see the white baroque towers of St. John’s Cathedral. Instead of admiring the city’s skyline, Dennis sat on the balcony and listened to amateur radio. We each celebrate in our own way.

St John’s is very poor. The items in the local stores are of inferior quality to the items we find in the discount stores at home. Of course, the tourists’ stores are the same wherever we go.

Dennis is not feeling well enough to take excursions. It seems odd coming to the Caribbean and not going snorkeling a least once. I think we will have to return when we all feel better.

Day 3: Sea Day

Day 3 was a sea day and for us a day of relaxation and recuperation. Mom especially enjoys sitting in the hot tub and sunning herself.

After months of working on houses with little downtime, Dennis and I are having a difficult time to adjusting to the change of pace. Out of sheer exhaustion, we both took naps. Anyone who knows me well knows that this is a rarity for me and one I enjoyed without guilt.

The entertainment was a comedy-juggler routine.

Day 2: Curacao

When we awoke, the ship was docked in Willemstad, Curacao. Since both mom and Dennis have colds, we did not plan any excursion. While Dennis slept, mom and I sat in the Jacuzzi and enjoyed the Caribbean sunshine. Because Dennis and I have been working indoors for the last year, neither of us are tanned and must take precautions not to burn. Fortunately, our balcony is on the shady side of the ship and we can sit there and relax without worry.

In the afternoon, Dennis and I went to explore the UNESCO World Heritage city that reminded us of Copenhagen. We sat at a sidewalk cafe, sipped on Mohitos, and used the internet.

Dennis enjoying a Mojito in Willemstad, Curacao

In town, there is a pontoon bridge that connects the two sides of the city. A warning sounds when the bridge is about to open to let the boats through. You should have seen the tourists scurry to be on the pontoon when it slides open.

The evening entertainment was “The Barricade Boys.” This world leading super-group’s rendition of Queen”s “Bohemian Rhapsody” received a standing ovation.

Everyone is finally starting to relax, though mom and Dennis continue to cough.

Day 1 (actually Day 4): Aruba

I was very anxious as we boarded the plane for Aruba. Once out of customs, we took a taxi to the port. As we saw the ship in the distance, I pinched myself to be sure that this was finally happening. As I looked around Oranjestad, the capital of this tiny Dutch island, I could see Dutch-gabled architecture painted in tropical pastels.

At the ship, the crew was anticipating our arrival. A person from reception greeted us at the gang-plank and escorted us to reception. We were surprised to find out that we were upgraded to a room with a balcony.

After settling in, we unpacked and went for dinner. We toasted our arrival with Pain Killers. Dennis returned to the room to finish unpacking while mom and I went to see the presentation of “What the world needs now,” a musical production showcasing the music of Burt Bacharach.

We were all exhausted from the tension of the last few days and were in bed by 9:30 pm.

Perhaps this time…

Dennis, Aurela, and Jane at a recent party.

After working for about a year on fixing and selling houses, Dennis, Aurela (mom) and I decided it was time for a well-earned Caribbean vacation. It was to start last Friday but, when we got to the port, we discovered that mom’s suitcase with her medications was left at the house. The NCL port supervisor Dayron was most helpful with suggestions that might allow us to board the ship. We contacted Walgreens, but they could only provide an 11-day supply of meds for two of her many prescriptions. Strike one. DHL could not deliver her suitcase to a future port until Thursday, way too long for mom to be without her meds. Strike 2. The other suitcases were already on the ship and would sail without us. Strike three.

Mom is such a trooper. She wanted us to put her on a bus and send her home. I could just imagine sending this 90-year-old woman to the bus station with a sign tagged to her shirt: “Hello, My name is Aurela and I live in Sarasota. Please take me home.”

After spending six hours at the port, we watched the ship sail without us and then we crept along in Friday night traffic for five hours before returning home. It was a long and tiring day, but mom kept her spirits high and took the adventure in stride. The next morning, we tried to book a plane flight to the first port of call, Aruba. Success! At the moment, we are at an airport hotel, waiting to fly out tomorrow. With luck, we should be onboard the NCL Sun by 5 pm, and maybe we will look as happy as we did in the photo above.

I hope you will follow along as we enjoy this now 8-day cruise and to find out if our luggage is waiting for us in the cabin.

Snorkling in Nassau

Day 7, Friday, September 16, 2016

Last port of call on this voyage, Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. We arrived midday. Fortunately, we docked with our room on the shady side so mom was able to enjoy the balcony while I went on shore. I had to stand in the hot afternoon sun for about a half hour while the excursion leader collected tickets and brought the group to the dock where we boarded the catamaran. I was glad I had slathered on sunscreen before leaving.

Seahorse Sail and Snorkel

I went on a Seahorse Sail and Snorkel excursion, sitting on the net at the end of the boat. The sail was down on our 35-minute ride to the coral reef, but it was up on the return. Dennis and I had been on this reef before, but it was still beautiful. In addition to the Caribbean fish, I saw a stingray and what I think was a grouper or a garfish. We had one hour to explore the reef and I did not board the catamaran a second early—I was enjoying myself so much. The crew offered us a rum punch on the return trip, but it was like Kool-Aid and I did not like it. The taste didn’t stop the majority of the passengers from consuming multiple glassfuls. Why is it that people over indulge when things are free, even when not good? I guess I am either too old to let my hair down or more discriminating.

After mom cashed in her casino winnings, we packed our bags and sat on the balcony as the Harvest Supermoon rose over the water. Even in Miami the next morning, the large moon was visible.

Disembarkation in the morning was well-organized and we were soon on our bus heading home. Even though the experienced driver knew the way, we didn’t arrive in Sarasota until 3:40 PM.

Catch the Fever while out at sea

Day 6, Thursday, September 15, 2016

On our last day at sea, we sat in the hot tub talking with a man who was enjoying his fourth mimosa of the day—and it wasn’t even 10 A.M. He told us that he had taken The Ultimate Beverage Package as a perk and was enjoying the free drinks. According to his calculations, he and his wife had consumed more than 140 drinks and there was still a day to go. There is no way I could consume enough liquor in a day to make that package worth my while.

Though there were lots of activities on board the ship, mom and I just enjoyed the Atlantic serenity from our balcony. Mom treated herself to a banana split for lunch and amazingly ate it all. For such a tiny person, she eats a lot. I hope that when I am her age I am just as spry and full of gusto for life as she is.

Though mom did not take any excursions, she did enjoy playing the slot machines. She found one, Catch the Fever, that she enjoyed. Whenever she rolled three or more Fever symbols, the game went into an automatic six-spin cycle. She would giggle as the money piled up.

Catch the Fever

Tortola and the rope course

Day 5, Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Mom and I had both been to Tortola, the largest of the British Virgin Islands. Since none of the excursions tempted us, we stayed on the ship and enjoyed sitting alone on the 17^th deck forward hot spa while admiring the beautify vista of contrasting white sand and green mountains. Tortola is among a series of tortoise-looking islands.

While in port, the ship has all sorts of activities for those who stay onboard. I couldn’t talk mom into pampering herself with a relaxing massage or facial. She’s almost 90 and didn’t feel the need for the TLC. There was a Flash Mob Class, but I couldn’t see myself starting one of these. Nor did I have an interest in making an Origami Samurai hat. Of course, there were the usual game shows for those who enjoyed that type of activity. For me, it was pleasurable to kick off my sandals on the deck and read a good book.

In the afternoon, I walked the gangplank hovering 164 ft about the water. After doing Tree-Ump, this rope course was easy. The z-line was the width of the ship, not very long. For those who have never experienced this type of activity, it was scary and thrilling. I guess I just can’t feel scared when I’m tethered to the course; without the danger, even my fear of heights doesn’t kick in. I wish I had this bravado when facing other risky situations.

In the Manhattan Dining Room and were treated to a soulful love revue by the same group that performed After Midnight. I enjoyed their singing here more than the performance the other night because their single was clearer.

The Levity Entertainment Group was a bust. Comedy can be hard depending on the audience and tonight’s punchlines didn’t strike up much laughter. I felt sorry for the entertainers.

SNUBA in St. Thomas

Day 4, Tuesday, September 13, 2016

I was on the dock in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas by 8:20 and on my way to a SNUBA adventure at Coral World Ocean Park. This was a first for me, and I looked forward to it. I was not disappointed. Except for being tethered to the oxygen, SNUBA is similar to snorkeling, but at a deeper depth. Since my body is very buoyant, I wore 11-pound weights to keep me at around 20 to 25 feet below the surface, about one atmosphere below sea level. My ears popped and it took most of the rest of the day to equalize the air pressure in my sinuses. Even so, the experience was worth the discomfort.

Turtle pool at Coral World Ocean Park on St. Thomas

After the SNUBA, I visited the 42-acre park. There were turtle pools, birds, demonstrations with various aquatic animals such as sharks and sea lions. The park has an open-water system where water flows through each of the exhibits and back out to the ocean. After exploring the park, I sat on the beach people watching. There were a lot of islanders on the beach, and I enjoyed listening to the Creole, Spanish, and melodic English. As I was walking along, I stepped on an iguana’s tail and jumped when I felt it move. I’m glad the Florida reptiles are not this size. These herbivores have spines on their back and down their tails. Like many other lizards, iguanas will grow a second tail if the original one breaks off in a defensive maneuver. Iguanas have a dewlap, the flap of skin below their chin, that helps regulate body temperature. Apparently, female iguanas find the dewlap attractive. Though not eaten on St. Thomas, the iguana is eaten, and, you guessed it, tastes like chicken.

Later in the day, mom and I sat in the hot spa, sipping a Painkiller Cocktail, a rum concoction that was the drink of the day. I took a tube ride down the water slide, just to say I did. I didn’t think at my age that it was wise to take a ride down the other slide where you stood on a platform that opened and dropped you almost vertically. Do you think you would have enjoyed that free-fall sensation?

At night we went to the show, For the Record: The Brat Pack. This musical production of The Breakfast Club featured the music of the 80s. The strobing lights, the choreography, and the vocal quality made this the best performance on this ship. In fact, it exceeded anything I have seen recently. For being on vacation, mom and I keep busy.