05-NOV-2007
Queen Neptune
This afternoon was the “Crossing the Line” ceremony, because later tonight we cross the equator. For us, this is the third time we’ve done that on a ship. Each one does it a little differently, but King Neptune and his Queen always appear, and the “Wogs” always get initiated. Glad we were on a large ship the first time, so only a few token crew members actually got initiated! Today, they initiated a honeymoon couple as well as some of the crew. OK, so they went easy on them . . .
05-NOV-2007
chocolate dragon
At sea
Today is the day for one of the highlights of the cruise: the Galley brunch. The food staff goes all out for this one, both the beautiful arrangements, and all the special dishes. I certainly hope that there’s nothing special for dinner, because I ate waaaay too much at lunch!
04-NOV-2007
cell
I’m sure there were other prisons that were equally brutal, but it was easy to see how this one lived up to it’s reputation.
04-NOV-2007
ruins
Today, the prison buildings themselves are in ruins but many of the administration buildings still remain, and have been turned into a hotel. Why anyone would want to stay here is beyond me, but it was an interesting place for a few hours’ visit. While quite beautiful from a distance (such as the deck of our ship), it’s really hot and humid, with a steep rocky path or steep stairs to the top, where the buildings are. The hotel looked like it rated maybe one star, if that, and we were warned before leaving the ship not to eat or drink anything while on the island.
05-NOV-2007
Devils Island
Notorious for being a French Prison (think of the movie, “Papillion”), this is actually a cluster of three tiny islands: Isle Royale, St. Joseph, and Devil’s Island. We actually visited Isle Royale, but the other two were just across a narrow channel. Today, the islands are still part of France, as French Guyana is a French department. Isle Royale held the Administration and the least dangerous of the prisoners during the prison era, which ended in the late 1940s, while Devil’s Island held the worst of the prisoners. St. Joseph’s was somewhere in between.
03-NOV-2007
at sea
Nothing much today, just a quiet, peaceful day at sea. Time to sit out on the deck and read and watch the ocean go by. And, at bedtime, a display of towel folding skills by the cabin stewardesses . . .
02-NOV-2007
St. George, Grenada
This is definitely my least favorite Caribbean island. We walked off the ship, and were immediately accosted by taxi drivers, would be tour guides, vendors, etc. Worse even than the beaches in Mexico or Jamaica. It was very hot, and I had several bug bites in a matter of minutes. Clearly this island has economic problems. There weren’t even any nice shops in walking distance of the ship. Within 10 minutes, we decided enough was enough and headed back on board for some nice air conditioning, and some peace.
01-NOV-2007
the bridge
We were able to take a tour of the bridge this morning. There is a fascinating array of computer and electronic equipment, but there are plenty of traditional items, too – sextant, battery telephone, flags, etc., so that the business of running the ship can continue no matter what happens.
Tonight is the Captain’s Welcome Party and the first formal night. Time to go get dressed up!
01-NOV-2007
St Vincent
St. Vincent & the Grenadines
We dropped anchor just off the main city on this small island. We stayed on board, spent the day on our balcony, at the pool, etc. We decided that there really wasn’t much on this small island except sun and sand, and it wasn’t worth the effort of the tender trip ashore. I was still tired and a little bit stiff and sore from all the walking and steps the previous day.
31-OCT-2007
Sugar Mill
The sugar mill no longer grinds sugar cane, but had a large display of the equipment and historical photographs. The mill itself was an interesting old stone building, one of the first to use water power to grind sugar.
Back on board, I spent the afternoon relaxing after a massage. Aahhhh . . .
Tonight being Halloween, the ship is decorated with spiders, skeletons, witches, and lots of orange and black balloons and crepe paper. Looks like there may be some special items on the dinner menu, too, like pumpkin pie. Off to listen to some music in the lounge, then to dinner.
31-OCT-2007
double harbor
Castries was almost destroyed by fire in 1948, so very little is left of the colonial days. The house we visited was a replica of a plantation house, which had been furnished with antiques and items from all over the world by it’s owners, who have a shipping line. The view from the terrace was magnificent.
31-OCT-2007
batik
Castries, St. Lucia
This morning was bright and sunny. We started the day with breakfast on our balcony, then took a half-day tour, Scenic St. Lucia. We stopped at a batik factory, several view points, an old sugar mill, and an estate house.