Grenada was an add on stop since since 2 of the planned stops were cancelled. Grenada, yes there was a war there in 1983 and it seems president Reagan was forced to apologize to the English over the US involvement. We had a planned morning excursion then an island over view. Grenada is much more developed. The economy is based up spices and chocolate. We chose to tour the factories on our shore excursion. In the afternoon we had an island overview. This island was not as welcoming as many of the others. The standard of living seems more upscale on the whole. We were able to walk in the spice market and at 4:30 the shopkeepers were closing although our ship will be in port until 9:30 PM
We learned an immense amount about nutmeg, not so much from the factory but more from the tour guide. It is an amazing spice and the entire seed is used in processing to food stuffs. Grenada exports more than 20% of the worlds supply. Our factory tour of chocolate processing was interesting since tasting was involved. None of our tours were as good as the ones we did in Italy so overall it was a little disappointing
Back on the ship and dinner at the specialty Italian restaurant. We have met several people on board during meals. Everyone is super friendly and it seems we all have the same concerns, that of poor air connections
I am catching up on the blog, since we are back and I have 1.5 hours estimated wait time at the DMV to get a new drivers license☹️
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
Sunday, November 5, 2017
Barbados
Our stop in Barbados was a short one since we decided on the cave tour. This cave was created by acid rain eating away eating at the limestone and creating a wet cave. Unlike most caves that are cool this was a warm wet cave. There are several large pools and waterfalls within the cave in addition to the normal stalagmites and tites.
Barbados seems to be one of the most developed islands. It has many buildings, roads seem wide. An English colony so driving in the left becomes a little unnerving. Lots of cars and people
Tonight we ate in a speciality restaurant This one provided wine pairing with each course and very different foods. An appetizer of carrot and cardamom cream as an appetizer. Then tuna steak with spices seared, then a lime ice to cleanse the pallet. The main course was a beef tenderloin with purple mashed potatoes and a baked apple for dessert that was thin cut and rewrapped into an apple shape. Dinner was an experience. All foods we had little experience with but amazingly good.
Since our travels tend to have "exciting moments". Today had another one of those exciting moments that caused us to go to back to guest services. It will be our 3rd trip in 6 days. To get on and off the ship you need your ship ID card. Well coming back to the ship, Dan's keycard is missing! It is almost time for the ship to leave port. The security guard took pity on him and let him onto the pier. Ships security also let him on board and we are back to guest relations for his 3rd key card. They did punch a hole in it so he could attach it to his backpack....
I have a new method to increase my steps on my Fitbit. It seems to pick up activity of riding in the tour buses. It seems on our shore excursion the roads are so bumpy that I am getting credit for steps and flights climbed. The other day I had 15000 steps and 200 flights. Unfortunately I didn't burn that many calories.
Barbados seems to be one of the most developed islands. It has many buildings, roads seem wide. An English colony so driving in the left becomes a little unnerving. Lots of cars and people
Tonight we ate in a speciality restaurant This one provided wine pairing with each course and very different foods. An appetizer of carrot and cardamom cream as an appetizer. Then tuna steak with spices seared, then a lime ice to cleanse the pallet. The main course was a beef tenderloin with purple mashed potatoes and a baked apple for dessert that was thin cut and rewrapped into an apple shape. Dinner was an experience. All foods we had little experience with but amazingly good.
Since our travels tend to have "exciting moments". Today had another one of those exciting moments that caused us to go to back to guest services. It will be our 3rd trip in 6 days. To get on and off the ship you need your ship ID card. Well coming back to the ship, Dan's keycard is missing! It is almost time for the ship to leave port. The security guard took pity on him and let him onto the pier. Ships security also let him on board and we are back to guest relations for his 3rd key card. They did punch a hole in it so he could attach it to his backpack....
I have a new method to increase my steps on my Fitbit. It seems to pick up activity of riding in the tour buses. It seems on our shore excursion the roads are so bumpy that I am getting credit for steps and flights climbed. The other day I had 15000 steps and 200 flights. Unfortunately I didn't burn that many calories.
Friday, November 3, 2017
Next stop St. Lucia Happy Halloween
Well it's Halloween and although the islands don't recognize this American celebration. The staff on board does and since most of the passengers are American there plans to be celebrating at the bar tonight.
Vacationing and cruises in general are suppose to be relaxing. Not so with us. We have left the bar each night at midnight when the music stops (remember it is Viking), and been ready to do shore excursions by 8AM. I am thinking a sea day may not be such a bad idea.
Today we were able to explore St Lucia by catamaran, unfortunately not enough wind to be under sail power all day. The middle of the trip was broken up by touring a 18 century plantation, touring the chocolate process and having lunch. Off the boat with no breeze it becomes stifling warm
Worked on my tan and enjoyed the time on the boat. We were even able to stop on the way back to St Lucia to swim in the Caribbean It was a great day. Great views of the iconic Pitons and amazingly the island changed hands 14 times
The Halloween bash was entertaining since it was mostly the singers and dancers on the dance floor with lots of lively tunes. A few of our regulars even left early but after the staff "all in costume" made an appearance things were back to normal by 11pm. A fun time but this staying up late can wear you out. Good news tomorrow I can sleep in we aren't due off the ship until 10:45!
I will post some photos of some of our travels
Vacationing and cruises in general are suppose to be relaxing. Not so with us. We have left the bar each night at midnight when the music stops (remember it is Viking), and been ready to do shore excursions by 8AM. I am thinking a sea day may not be such a bad idea.
Today we were able to explore St Lucia by catamaran, unfortunately not enough wind to be under sail power all day. The middle of the trip was broken up by touring a 18 century plantation, touring the chocolate process and having lunch. Off the boat with no breeze it becomes stifling warm
Worked on my tan and enjoyed the time on the boat. We were even able to stop on the way back to St Lucia to swim in the Caribbean It was a great day. Great views of the iconic Pitons and amazingly the island changed hands 14 times
The Halloween bash was entertaining since it was mostly the singers and dancers on the dance floor with lots of lively tunes. A few of our regulars even left early but after the staff "all in costume" made an appearance things were back to normal by 11pm. A fun time but this staying up late can wear you out. Good news tomorrow I can sleep in we aren't due off the ship until 10:45!
I will post some photos of some of our travels
Wednesday, November 1, 2017
St Kitts
Well a search of everything does not turn up the wallet. Dan seems to be optimistic I think he just feels at least we are even. No problem since the passport was in the room. Of course Brian has copies although he did say the night before we left he wasn't sure where they were....
We are off on our excursion the rainforest hike. Billed as a demanding 2 hours hike in the rainforest. The most exciting part of the journey was the 45 minute bus ride in the open air bus. I did post a picture of our transportation. Initially we stop at a Batik shop that sits on the edge of the rainforest. Explore the grounds and then walk into the rainforest. Of course it is downhill and I very gracefully had my tennis shoe slip and landed in the moist soft leaf covered ground on my butt. Gravity working in amazing ways. Good news is nothing injured or bruised. Bad news is the hike hadn't even started.
A cup of juice shared with a monkey, walking stick ins in hand and we are off. The hike was actually not as long or far as billed but lots of up and downs crossing streams jumping over tree routes. Lots of stopping since are guide was amazingly knowledgeable about plants and what happens in the rainforest. We even had rain. No rain gear but it really did look silly with one of our group using an umbrella.
Back from the hike, called in the credit card lost and atm. I will need to deal with all the other details when we are home. Since it was getting late time to check out the pools of course Dan lasts all of 30 minutes.
St Kitts as a place to visit seems comfortable. It seems to have more financial resources for the locals but on this type of trip you only are seeing the tip of the iceberg as far as living standards, but it is definitely an island and the local economy rests with tourism as with the rest of the islands. They are very grateful that the Hurricanes missed the island and spared the rainforest only having120 mph winds and rain to deal with.
A great day all around. The weather does remain quite warm and although rain has been forecast the only rain we really saw has been in the rain forest.
My impressions, so far loved our Viking cruise. I was not really happy with our airline flights and we did learn after talking with fellow travelers that the squeakily well does get the perks in this case. Including an upgrade to business class as. Well as cabin upgrades and a drink package included. Something we really don't need. Food has been incredible which is actually a bad thing. Staff is over friendly as well as other passengers. We always find someone to talk with and share experiences
Do it again, yes!!
We are off on our excursion the rainforest hike. Billed as a demanding 2 hours hike in the rainforest. The most exciting part of the journey was the 45 minute bus ride in the open air bus. I did post a picture of our transportation. Initially we stop at a Batik shop that sits on the edge of the rainforest. Explore the grounds and then walk into the rainforest. Of course it is downhill and I very gracefully had my tennis shoe slip and landed in the moist soft leaf covered ground on my butt. Gravity working in amazing ways. Good news is nothing injured or bruised. Bad news is the hike hadn't even started.
A cup of juice shared with a monkey, walking stick ins in hand and we are off. The hike was actually not as long or far as billed but lots of up and downs crossing streams jumping over tree routes. Lots of stopping since are guide was amazingly knowledgeable about plants and what happens in the rainforest. We even had rain. No rain gear but it really did look silly with one of our group using an umbrella.
Back from the hike, called in the credit card lost and atm. I will need to deal with all the other details when we are home. Since it was getting late time to check out the pools of course Dan lasts all of 30 minutes.
St Kitts as a place to visit seems comfortable. It seems to have more financial resources for the locals but on this type of trip you only are seeing the tip of the iceberg as far as living standards, but it is definitely an island and the local economy rests with tourism as with the rest of the islands. They are very grateful that the Hurricanes missed the island and spared the rainforest only having120 mph winds and rain to deal with.
A great day all around. The weather does remain quite warm and although rain has been forecast the only rain we really saw has been in the rain forest.
My impressions, so far loved our Viking cruise. I was not really happy with our airline flights and we did learn after talking with fellow travelers that the squeakily well does get the perks in this case. Including an upgrade to business class as. Well as cabin upgrades and a drink package included. Something we really don't need. Food has been incredible which is actually a bad thing. Staff is over friendly as well as other passengers. We always find someone to talk with and share experiences
Do it again, yes!!
Antigua. What is going on with the karma gods?
Well, day 3 and I am still dragging myself out of bed and it is 10AM. Have to stop closing down the bar. Our planned excursion would take until mid afternoon and we planned to go to the beach as soon as the ship docked. We pack sun screen towels suits and head out. Our excursion was one of the planned ones since original boat excursion was cancelled
So what did the karma gods do? Dan bumps his arm when getting on his backpack and his latest medical issue of thin skin (no he really doesn't get his feeling hurt) and begins to bleed. Then we search for the bandaid and Kleenex Of course. Dan travels with both the kitchen and bathroom sinks in his back pack so it shouldn't be an issue... Of course it is. I know I packed bandaids but not sure if they are in my backpack or back on the ship. Now the entertainment I begin unloading the back pack, beach towels, bathing suit, sun screen, bug spray lip Baum. I unzip all the zippers and go though everything. Not a bandaids but the bleeding has finally stopped, for now.
Of course it will start again........ We decide since it is 2:30. We will skip the beach and hang out for the afternoon. A call from the desk asking about Dan's medical problem and stressing he report on how he is doing tomorrow
We are off to dinner at 1 of the specialty restaurants on board. The Italian cuisine. This is included in just your booking. Great food and menu choices and a really good Merlot at dinner. Finished in time to see the evening show and back to our favorite lounge and just like cheers everyone knows you name and says hello when you walk in. Dan's cognac arrives and my Diet Coke. No need to give a room number seems the waitress remembers. Good news is we have an early night 11:30pm. This is day 3 for Dan!
Now the Karma is getting ready for tomorrow I unload all the stuff from the backpack and my ID and wallet are not there. My thoughts maybe I am tired and will look more carefully in the morning. Does this sound like Italy when I had Dan at my mercy with no credit cards and very little cash? I'm sure it will surface in the morning.
So what did the karma gods do? Dan bumps his arm when getting on his backpack and his latest medical issue of thin skin (no he really doesn't get his feeling hurt) and begins to bleed. Then we search for the bandaid and Kleenex Of course. Dan travels with both the kitchen and bathroom sinks in his back pack so it shouldn't be an issue... Of course it is. I know I packed bandaids but not sure if they are in my backpack or back on the ship. Now the entertainment I begin unloading the back pack, beach towels, bathing suit, sun screen, bug spray lip Baum. I unzip all the zippers and go though everything. Not a bandaids but the bleeding has finally stopped, for now.
Of course it will start again........ We decide since it is 2:30. We will skip the beach and hang out for the afternoon. A call from the desk asking about Dan's medical problem and stressing he report on how he is doing tomorrow
We are off to dinner at 1 of the specialty restaurants on board. The Italian cuisine. This is included in just your booking. Great food and menu choices and a really good Merlot at dinner. Finished in time to see the evening show and back to our favorite lounge and just like cheers everyone knows you name and says hello when you walk in. Dan's cognac arrives and my Diet Coke. No need to give a room number seems the waitress remembers. Good news is we have an early night 11:30pm. This is day 3 for Dan!
Now the Karma is getting ready for tomorrow I unload all the stuff from the backpack and my ID and wallet are not there. My thoughts maybe I am tired and will look more carefully in the morning. Does this sound like Italy when I had Dan at my mercy with no credit cards and very little cash? I'm sure it will surface in the morning.
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