Day 16, Back in Blighty

Flight was ok, for me at least. Catherine had the large 'lady' behind sticking her knees in the back of her seat and the one in front reclining her seat. Not to mention the guy next to her (I don't do strangers) seemingly unable to keep in the confines of his seat. The woman behind also had her seat fully reclined, so a young woman behind her, nearly had her nose pressed against the tv screen. Some people just don't give a shit about anyone else. Catherine whacked her seat back, to give the woman a taste of her own medicine.

Watching a couple of films helped pass the time between dinner and breakfast. It's not easy to sleep, with babies crying, so I grabbed a few winks whilst I could. We were welcomed back into Gatwick just before 5am, with a most unhealthy 27 degree temperature swing! Roasting in Barbados, to freezing in Surrey.

For some reason, baggage reclaim decided to put our cases onto two carousels! You can guess what happened, mine on one, Catherine's on the other. If only I had the eyes of a chameleon 😒

Eventually I retrieved both cases and we made our way to the car park bus pick up. The drive back from the car park was pretty quiet and we were back home by about 07:30. We pretty much went straight to bed and slept until lunchtime. I then took Catherine home and came back to unpack, upload photos, catch up with emails, etc, etc.

I shall be updating those blogs that didn't have any photos included. Unless I had my phone with me, which I didn't on a lot of days, then I didn't have any photos to hand. Now I have uploaded from my camera, I can add some, so if you can be bothered, take a look back through and see what I've added.

That concludes this particular adventure, during which we went; diving, under the waves in a submarine, swimming with Stingrays, on a train, and into a volcano crater. We both had a fabulous time and met some nice interesting people, both on board and ashore, plus one not so nice. All in all it was a great way to celebrate turning 60.

Thanks for taking the trouble to follow the blog and don't forget, comments are always welcomed.... well nearly always 😃

Day 15, Bridgetown, Barbados- Coming home

Up just as the ship docked. Our cases had gone overnight, so we just had our hand luggage and the clothes we were wearing for the day/flight. Once dressed , we went down to complete the immigration process, then went for brekkie. We had to be out of the cabin by 9am, which we were. Storing our hand luggage, we walked into Bridgetown to have a look around and take some photos. By the time we had done Nelson's statue, the Independence Arch, the Parliament building and Cathedral, the 30 degree heat was starting to take its toll on Catherine, so we made our way back to the ship.

Admiral Lord Nelson

On board we had a light snack and drink, before collecting our hand luggage. The coaches to take us to the airport were ready at 1pm and we arrived 30 minutes later. It's great being a cruise passenger, they fast track you through. There's even the personal touch, as the security lady stroked my leg! I had my passport in my pocket and she queried what it was. No interest in my watch or belt, which I hadn't removed, just my passport and boarding pass. Not satisfied with me telling her what it was, I had to show her. And to satisfy herself there was nothing else, she touched my thigh.

We quickly found a couple of seats and made ourselves comfortable for the wait ahead. With a little over 2 hours till departure, they posted the gate, so we moved to the departure lounge at gate 14.

People were already changing into their UK clothing. I've got my zipoffs on, so I can put the legs on before we land. 

Next update will be when we are back in Blighty.  Brrrrr!

Airport Selfie

Day 14, St George's, Grenada

Our penultimate day. Today we dropped anchor in the bay, outside St George's, Grenada, so once again we were tendered to the shore. There was a bloomin' strong onshore wind blowing, which was whipping up the sea and making it difficult for the tenders to hook up. It also meant that the ship was spinning around the anchor! One minute there was sea out of the window, next land, then sea again. I imagined they had an anchor both ends for rougher seas.

In port once again, was the Azura. She had left St Lucia minutes before us last night, before we did a reverse and pirouette to leave our birth in a confined basin.

Alongside Azura was an MSC something, even bigger than her, which meant, when we got to the cruise terminal, it was heaving. We grabbed a map and quickly made our way out into the street, and up the hill to Fort George.  Besides being a tourist attraction, bizarrely, it also doubles as the Police headquarters/training centre. There are loads of cannons and great views of the cruise terminal and also on the other side, of a beautiful little horseshoe bay.

P&O Azura and MSC Even Bigger

We found some tunnels (I don't think anyone else bothered) and were pleasantly surprised to find they housed half a dozen bats. I don't think I have ever seen bats hanging like that before, except for the massive fruit bats in the trees in Sri Lanka. As I disturbed them, they flew over my head. They were perfectly silent, no noise from their wings at all. Brilliant. 

Next stop was a chocolate house. A museum come shop come cafe. It told the story of cocoa in the Grenadines and you could buy cocoa products (Catherine bought some hot choc powder) and also sample it on site. Free wifi enabled me to post the last few days blogs too.

Just down the road was a museum. We spent some time in there before making our way round the little horseshoe bay. Soaking up the sun, we watched some chaps in a small motor boat flogging some fish they had caught, to locals on the quay.

Then it was back to the dock, via a shop, so I could buy some overproof rum, 138 proof or 69% alc.

On the quayside, there were 2 queues. One for our tender and one for the Rhum Runner catamaran trip. Catherine managed to get in the wrong one, so effectively jumped the queue for the tender. There were a few murmurs in the queue and I think people said something when they got on, including  me, who said to her, I hadn't realised she had speedy boarding! We could laugh about it and everybody got on anyway, so no real harm done.

Back on board we had some lunch, did some packing and watched a couple of the tenders struggle against the wind and rough sea, to re-dock. We were in the dining room and having dinner when we saw one still manoeuvring outside. We were possibly 2 hours late leaving port. 

With bags packed and left outside our door for collection, it's time for our last sleep on board. Our next will be on a Boeing dreamliner.  I shall sleep happy tonight though, knowing Spurs have been knocked out of the FA Cup. 🤣

Tomorrow we shall be back in Bridgetown and hopefully we'll touch WiFi, so you can read this before we get back home.

Day 13, Castries, St Lucia

Today was probably the earliest we have been up all cruise, 07:10. We had breakfast in the buffet, to avoid the waiting about in the restaurant. In harbour with us today were P&O's Azura, another massive beast and something called Sirena. Not sure which cruise line but it may even be smaller than us.

By 09:15 we were on our coach for the West Coast and Volcano tour.

St Lucia is probably the hilliest island we have visited, so the roads out were tight and twisty. We made a 'stop' at a spot where we could take a photo of the city/ harbour but weren't allowed off the bus!

The harbour, through the square window!

Next up we stopped at a little fishing village. 15 minutes for the locals to sell as much as they could. Up into the hills and on the edge of the rainforest. Next stop was a viewing point overlooking the former capital Soufriere and with a view of the Pitons, Grande & Petit, St Lucia's two highest mountains. 2 minutes to get a photo but long enough for the locals to try and sell you a piece of weaved palm leaf.

Soufriere and Grand and Petit Pitons

Back on the bus, we drove through Soufriere, a lovely looking town, and on up into the hills to the volcano park. Here there are mud pools where people (not on our tour) could bathe and cover themselves in 'healthy' volcanic mud. We had about a 20 minute tour, with a guide explaining about the geology, sulphur dioxide gas and how hot the mud bubbling in pools is. I've forgotten already!

Hot bubbling mud

Then it was back on the bus and back to Soufriere, where we stopped at an old mill, once part of a sugar plantation. Here we had a very nice lunch. There were six dishes, only one of which Catherine couldn't have, chicken. They had a hot sauce on offer. Catherine took some, tasted it, then went back down the queue, on her way to table, telling everyone to avoid it. Needless to say, I had a dollop. On its own, it was bloody hot but when mixed in with food it wasn't so bad.

Whilst eating we saw some humming birds hovering around the flowers near us. I managed to get a photo but only when one had settled, not in hover mode.

Why don't humming birds sing?

Soon we were on the move again and driving right through Soufriere, back the way we had come. It would have been nice to stop there for a while.

That, effectively, was the end of the tour. The roads are that twisty it took about an hour to get back to the ship.

We got back on board and dropped some gear off, then went back out for a mooch around. We were probably out about an hour, before returning to the ship. On the way back Catherine made a purchase, once again putting her negotiating skills to good use. 

We'll soon be leaving Castries and setting sail for Grenada, the last of the islands on the trip. We don't have a trip booked, so we'll be staying local.

After we leave the ship on Thursday, she visits some of the island's again, before sailing across the Atlantic and carrying on through the Mediterranean, eventually settling in  Cyprus. The last four couples we have got chatting to, are all staying on for that. Not sure I could stand 7 nights across the Atlantic. 

That's all for now.

Day 12, Roseau, Dominica

First place we've docked, where we have been side on to the shore, so out of our cabin, it's just water. On the port side, there was Roseau, Dominica's capital, in all its colourful glory.  No trip planned today but had a walk we download. As it turned out though, the town has it's own heritage walk, though the town map from tourist information didn't show it for some reason. So, we did that instead. It was very interesting, taking in the Presidential home, courts, churches, the home of football (there were iron gates claiming this) and another botanical gardens. There are many buildings left in disrepair from a hurricane back in 2017, including a church and the library. The botanical gardens was devastated by hurricane David back in 1979 and it is here we saw the graphic nature of that event, where an American style yellow school bus lies crushed by a fallen tree. Luckily, it was empty at the time.

The crushed bus

We climbed a 400ft hill, Morne Bruce, via a path from the gardens, up a path called Jack's path. So called because British soldiers used to walk on it, passed the Union Jack, when moving from garrison to signalling point. It is a brilliant spot over looking the capital and now also includes a 92 y.o. Catholic shrine.

3 Cs. Left to right, Celebration, cannon & Catherine

Having made our way back to the town, we were surprised to see the streets almost totally gridlocked. Who would have thought a small town could experience jams like those we are so used to in our cities today.

We popped back on board for lunch, before heading out again, to complete the walk. That took us to Potterville, over the river. A bit like the other side of the tracks, it used to be a poor docks area. One building we came across used to be the quarantine area for anyone landing ashore with yellow fever. A poignant reminder, as Covid 19 sweeps the planet now. It is now used by a 'company' making carnival costumes. A chap there pointed out the staining on the walls from floodwater, and the new roof, a result of the 2017 hurricane. 

The evening was spent, as usual, with dinner and the show, and topped off with a couple of laps of the promenade deck. 

Tomorrow we'll arrive in Sr Lucia. We have our final excursion of the holidays.  Nothing quite as exciting as diving, a submarine or swimming with rays, just a bus tour around the island and up to the volcanic sulphur pools. Still, we did enough walking today.

Day 11, St Johns, Antigua

Today we had a self booked excursion, so our first aim was to find transport, as it was a 20 minute drive away. We went to Stingray City. Think swimming with dolphins, only with a lagoon full of Stingrays.

Soon as you hit the quay you are surrounded by the taxi drivers, offering tours or trips to the beach. We spoke to a couple. Price was US$32, each way. More than the $20 we had seen online. The second guy, Johnny with the red shoes, explained it would be cheaper if we could find another couple doing the same trip. As it was not a TUI trip there was no way of knowing if anyone else was doing it. As usual, Catherine's bargaining skills came in to play and we agree $50 return. There was no payment until we got back to the quay, so we were unlikely to be left stranded across the island.

In the meantime , we didn't have to leave the ship till midday, so we took a walk up to the Cathedral. As it was Sunday, almost everything was shut, and because it was Sunday, there was a service in progress. As we listened to the singing, a gent (one of the many Morgan Freeman lookalikes, according to Catherine) beckoned us inside. The outside is really in quite a bad state of repair but is contrasted by the glossy wooden inside. We sat awhile, listening to some information announcements, including a vacant teaching post, then left as they rose to sing another hymn.

We then made our way back to the ship in prep for our trip.

At noon we were at the taxi stand. Johnny led us to a cab where another driver was waiting, and gave him his instructions. 

On the slow drive, the driver pointed out things of interest along the way, including the 'new' Sir Viv Richards cricket ground. Halfway into the journey, he stopped for fuel! Nevertheless, he got us to Stingray City in time for our registration.

A visitor to the parrot enclosure at Stingray City

After a short briefing, we were whizzed out to a lagoon, maybe a mile out to sea. There we disembarked onto a pontoon. Already we could see the rays coming in from the surrounding waters. Then, we climbed down into the lagoon.  The water is only about 4 feet deep, so it is easy to see the rays moving around and amongst you. It's hard to say how many there are but they are all sizes and differing colours, the females being the larger, with up to 5 foot wingspan in cases. There were a couple of very large ladies 😉

During the course of our time in the lagoon, we were able to hold one (photo purchase opportunity) and feed them baby squid. They don't bite the squid out of your hand but suck them out from a few inches away. Quite weird. As you feel the suction, you let go of the squid and it is hoovered up. They are constantly around you, at foot height (one male had a few goes rubbing around my feet), at waist height, allowing you to stroke them or simply bumping into you. And you know about it, when one of those big females bumps you, as they weigh a bit. Catherine had her snorkel mask and was thrilled to have them swim alongside her. We both thought it was a brilliant experience, though not everybody did. Some women and one child seemed to spend most of the hour we were there screaming, whenever a ray came near. Back on dry land, we had a very strong rum punch, and I decided to buy the photo of me holding the ray. Then it was time to get back in the taxi and head back to the ship.

Me and Rihanna or could be Ray Ray (not their real name)

Tomorrow we shall be in Dominica. It's 132 miles away. Until then.

Day 10, Road Town, Tortola

Docked and cleared to go ashore by 08:10. We are not that early risers, that we would be ashore first thing.

We had brekkie and made our way ashore. A quick touch with WiFi, enabled us to get incoming messages. At tourist info, we asked for a map but they don't have one. You have to photo theirs. That we did and walked around the harbour to the Old Government House. It's closed, as still being  refurbished after hurricane Irma. Still, it was a nice enough walk and we also found a nice park  where we could photograph the ship. 

The Celebration from Queen Elizabeth II Park, Road Town

Walking back, we came across Main Street, which is home to the 1774 prison. This was open, so we went in and had a look round. A lady showed us part of it, explaining how Irma had lifted the original metal doors  off their hinges and flug them across the street. Apparently it takes six men to lift a door and a crane to fix it back in position. 

The heavy prison gates, back where they belong

Amazingly, this prison was still in use up until 1995, with the last execution (hanging) carried out in 1974!

From the prison, we continued along Main Street to the botanical gardens. This was not as good as those on St Vincent but still had some interesting trees and flowers. It also offered some shade from the blistering sun.

Having made our way back to the ship, we had lunch and then popped back out for another WiFi session. Comms done, it was time to chill (read nap). We left Tortola at 17:30, bound for Antigua, 171 miles away.  We have a trip planned for when we get there but more about that tomorrow. 

As yet, Catherine hasn't made any unusual proposals. 😁  I did have lady chat to me at lunch, who made a point of mentioning she was single (she wasn't), so I'll have to watch my step for the next few hours. 

Bye for now.