Today is catch-up time, as a lot seems to have happened in a short while.
Tuesday was Barbados, and we had a great day out. We went on a cataraman cruise, sailing and swimming with turtles!
Having motored out of Bridgetown on the cat. the sails were hoisted and off we went. After about an hour, we dropped anchor, donned goggles and a life vest, and went over the side to swim with a group of turtles. It was amazing fun, and to be recommended.
About 80 people on board, some 30 off the Black Watch, a group off a large American cruise boat, and a handful of Spanish girls from a hotel. All mixed in together and had a good time.
Half an hour or so later, it was up anchor and a sail further up the coast. This time we moored just off a beach, when the pre-lunch options were to swim in the sea, walk on the beach, or put the snorkel gear back on and swim to a reef to view the wild life. After this came the important part of the day- a rum punch or two, and lunch. A bit of a rest, and it was, regrettably time to sail back to port.
In the evening, the famous Barbados Police Band came on board to give a concert. This was held outside, at the stern of the ship, under the stars. Magical.
Wednesday dawned dull and rainy, and it was another port. This time castries in St Lucia. We had not planned anything, except to do our own thing.
After the rain had cleared, around 1030, we left the ship, and walked round the harbour to the town. It was a bit busy, as there were four ships in. On our side was Black Watch, and the very large (4,500 passenger) Adventure of the Seas. On the other side, nearer the town were Serenade of the Seas (3,500 pass.) and Thomsons Destiny (900 pass.) ahving strolled, and done the sights and a bit of retail therapy, we sought advice re lunch from the tourist information desk. Their recommendation was to take the water taxi back to just behind where we were parked, and to ask the boat handler for the 'Coal Hole'. This turned out to be an excellent restaurant tucked away in a cove, right on the shore. It was far enough away from everything to be lovely and peaceful, with really good food. The dining area was on a roofed verandah, right at the waters edge. It was very popular with particularly the local business community, if the number of BMWs parked outside gave a clue. They managed to fit in the two of us, and gave us a great time. All too soon, it was time to catch the taxi back. Black Watch then had to join the queue of ships to leave Castries, with only Destiny remaining.
A hard nights steaming lay ahead, to allow us to arrive on time, on Thursday, at Basseterre, St. Kitts. (Which we duly did) Here our trip was to be an 'around the island' tour, using, for most of the journey, a train. This train rauns on tracks originally laid to haul sugar cane from the fields to the factory(which closed in 2005). Special carriages have been built, with two decks. The downstairs is all enclosed and air conditioned, the upstairs is roofed, but otherwise open to the elements.
The track follows the coast, with detours inland, and proved to be wonderful way to seeing just about everything. It does not go all the way round, only 18miles. The other 10 have to be done by road. The on-board guide was very good, and also there was enterainment by a group of singers. An excellent time was had by all, and we were sad to leave such a marvellous form of transport after two hours on board (though the rum punches and banana daiquiris might have had something to do with that!).
We had did a bit of strolling after we got back to the pier, but as it was then around 33C we went back to the ship to cool down. In the afternoon, we went back into Basseterre, and walked around the town, to see what we could see. A little retail therapy followed, for Ian this time!, plus a local beer each.
On reflection, we enjoyed Barbados, and the locals seemed pleased to see us. Castries was real laid back Caribbean, though some of the shop prices were a bit excessive. St Kitts, away from the town was friendly, but some of the shopkeepers put people off.
Next stop Antigua, so let us see what that brings.