SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN CRUISE 2013
Christmas / New Year 2013/14

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CARRIBEAN CRUISE 2013

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We flew via Phildelphia to San Juan (Puerto Rico) by Delta and arrived at 22:30 at our Guest House, Aleli by the Sea. The place was closed at the time we arrived but with the help of some on lookers we found our keys in the Mailbox and got to our room. Being thirsty, we went to a nearby Bar and had a few beers before we got to sleep.

 ST. THOMAS

1st & 2nd day: Charlotte Amalie   United States Virgin Islands, 09:30 start of the excursion which turned out to be a bit "thin". This mainly due to the driver-guide who was in a hurry to drop us on the Magens Bay where he left us there alone with the Pelicans! At noon he rushed us to town for shopping. I bought me a cap to protect me from the sun and than we went for lunch. After lunch we had soon boarding and where at sea for 2 nights, one day to reach our remotest destination: Barbados, Bridgetown.

 BARBADOS

3rd day: This excursion was quite interesting but Barbados a bit disappointing. It looked run down and poor and Nancy felt like in Accra's shanty towns. May be the rainy weather clouded our view. Rum punch and beer cleared up the picture and in the end it was a good day. I was looking forward to Saint Lucia but we got a note that our excursion was canceled due to a passing Cyclone which made the South of the island inaccessible. It was a shame and we had to book a different excursion but there where not many left to choose from.

 SAINT LUCIA

4th day: Early morning, the view from the ship was very promising and I was looking forward to go ashore. Our excursion took us to the Rainforest and by a Cable Car up a hill through the treetops. There where also other attraction like zip-ropes and a guided hike tour through a part of the bush. It was nice but nothing really new since I got stuck in many bushes in my live. Saint Lucia turned out to be a pleasant island and I really regretted that our comprehensive tour around it was canceled. I set my hopes on St. Kitts which was our next port of call.

 SAINT KITTS

5th day: Reaching St. Kitts capital city Basseterre, we boarded a converted Sugar Cane Transport Train. It was equipped with a bar and the two hours ride was very pleasant. At the end we boarded a bus and Nancy and I where drop at a small port in order to board a catamaran. Nancy was less than happy about the surprise, but I could persuade her to finally board and once under sail she liked it. The free rum and beer lifted her spirits further and the day was saved.

 SINT MAARTEN

6th day: Nice Island, a famous approach over the beach by the big jets, nice boats, nice houses, I think a reasonable place to live! From here it was just a short crossing to Puerto Rico where we planned to stay for another week. Overall the cruise was very good. The only bad thing where the dinners because of the tasteless and uninspired food (USA ship!) and menus. Breakfast and Lunches where OK.

 PUERTO RICO

2nd Week: After arrival in San Juan we went to the car hire to collect our car, a ... Yaris. Than we checked in at our hostel, Numero Uno. Next day we visited the Castillo San Felipe del Morro but it was closed due to a holiday. We did some looking around and next day was shopping at the "Puerto Rico Premium Outlets". The next day we drove to Ponce a very nice drive through mountainous terrain covered in green forests. The only disturbing thing where the many squashed Iguanas on the highway! Once in Ponce we had to go shopping in the "Plaza del Caribe" a nightmare for me, heaven to Nancy! Anyway I tried to see something but at the end shopping reigned and so Puerto Rico was a highlight for Nancy and a mixed experience for myself! Via Philadelphia where we had a stop over we returned back home.

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