Barbados Has Some Interesting Monkies

Karen holding a coconut at Bathsheba Beach .

Old plantation servant's house, can be disassembled and moved on a truck.

"What a long tail! "

"Hello, and welcome to Barbados, I am a green monkey."














This monkey was fascinated by the car.

A scenic drive in Barbados along the beach.

Bathsheba beach is as beautiful as the song says it is.

Alan standing in front of a very expensive piece of jewelry at the Barbados terminal.

Showtime! Papparazi!

"Come on, can't you go any faster?"

There's Lucy dancing with Ricky!

Karen waiting for the show to begin.

A simple home in Barbados.

A beautiful home in Barbados.

King Wilhelm IV of the Netherlands.

A church flea market without the fleas.

Alan watching Ratatouli on TV before going to dinner.

Day Seven

We woke up to another beautiful day on vacation, after all aren’t all days beautiful when you’re not at work? The forecast was for mostly cloudy and 75’. After passing through the Dominica Channel our course was set on a southeasterly one towards Bridgetown, Barbados. Barbados is the easternmost of the Caribbean islands, bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean. Barbados was a British colony for more than 300 years, until it gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1966. We picked up a local Pilot around 7am to help us dock.

Barbados’ capital, Bridgetown, is homeport for many commercial vessels. The city was founded in 1629 and was the chief residential area during the island’s settlement. The exuberance of its people and customs blend with a Victorian austerity typified by the Public Buildings that house Parliament. The Careenage, in central Bridgetown alongside Wharf Street, is a picturesque harbor where pleasure craft are docked. The Chamberlain Bridge, one of two bridges that span the Careenage, contains the Independence Arch, erected in 1987 to commemorate the island’s 21st anniversary as a self-governing nation. Next to the arch is an area of shops and restaurants that overlook the water including an outdoor café. Among the many natural attractions are the Harrison’s Caves, Barbados Nature Reserve with the unique green monkeys, Sunbury Plantation, Tyrol Cot Heritage Village, Gunhill, and the St. John’s Parish Church. Guests are advised that local authorities prohibit the wearing of any type of camouflage clothing. Guests wearing camouflage would be sent back to the ship and not allowed to proceed ashore.

Os Barbados is a Portuguese phrase that means “those with beards” and is likely a reference to beard-like roots that hang from the island’s native Bearded Fig Tree. There are also suggestions os Barbados is a physical reference to indigenous people who welcomed 16th century Portuguese explorers. In any case, the name was adopted and anglicized when British explorers arrived and took possession of the territory nearly a century later. The year was 1625, Captain Henry Powell was the commander, and two years later, Barbados became one of Britain’s first overseas possessions. Even as the British Empire grew and later waned, the island continued as a colony until the second half of the 20th century. The earlier Europeans had bypassed the island. They were searching for gold and were deeply disappointed to find only a tropical paradise with a few resident tribes.

The first settlers imported tobacco and cotton from neighboring islands, but local conditions did not exactly favor the crops, so sugar cane was chosen as an alternative. Sugar profits were huge, and prosperous descendents built the plantation homes and rich public buildings that still remain as relics of British colonial island life. Among the relics, Parliament House is the third oldest of its kind in the British Commonwealth. Among Barbados’ finest colonial sites, Francia Plantation House is known for its graceful architectural lines. Like all colonial mansions, several styles are woven into the design. It is still a family home, and a lot of the antique furniture inside has been in the family for generations. Furnishings are original. Fortifications had to be installed against would-be Spanish, French, and Dutch invaders. Pirates also threatened the region (never mind that some of the most notorious among them lived on Barbados!) Some of the old forts remain, but there are other fine antiques on the island as well.

Shrewd 20th century entrepreneurs supplemented wealthy 19th century farmers and Barbados continued to thrive. Not all the planters left—sugar and dark rum are still exported. Modern growing techniques made Sea Island cotton a viable crop.

Historic Footprints:
620BC Arawaks from the Orinoco Basin reach Barbados
1200 Caribs overwhelm the region
1536 Portuguese explorer Pedro a Campos names Os Barbados
1596 French explorers land, but are evidently eaten
1628 Henry Powell claims the island. Bridgetown is founded
1630 Imported sugar can thrives
1644 “Triangle of Trade” Sephardic immigrants (ex Brazil) follow shipping routes to Barbados
1663 Locust devastates the crop. Barbados declared British territory
1751 George Washington visits Barbados, in his only known official visit abroad
1785 British naval base at Barbados
1816 Salve revolt
1834 Slavery abolished
1876 Britain proposes single administration for Barbados and the Windward Islands
1937 Poor economic conditions linger from the Great Depression
1950 Farming economy is lost, but tourists begin to arrive
1958 Barbados is a member of the British-sponsored West Indies Federation. Adams is first Prime Minister
1961 Barbados wins self-rule
1966 Barbados is independent
1983 Barbados supports and supplies a base for the US invasion of Grenada

What’s Ashore?
The Careenage: Tall masted schooners line the quay and harbor police dress like Nelson’s fleetsmen. You may spot a sailing ship keeled over, or careened. Ships are purposely rolled over so barnacles can be scraped from their hulls and seams can be caulked or painted.
Heroes Square: This is the very center of island commerce and social life. It’s a perfect place to people-watch and admire the surrounding colorfully shuttered neo-Gothic public buildings.
True Blue Synagogue: Jewish residents reached Barbados in 1628, although permission to worship in public was not granted until 1654—3 years sooner than in England. True Blue, originally a private home is a working synagogue.
St. Michael’s Cathedral: Was built in 1651 to replace an old wooden structure lost to a devastating hurricane. George Washington worshipped in the cathedral during his only trip abroad.
Government House: The Governor’s of Barbados first leased the old mansion from a Pilgrim family as an official residence in 1702. The two wooded triangular plots outside the walled compound are the burial sites for many members of the original family and friends. Because of the Quaker proviso that only God should know one’s final resting place, the graves are unmarked.
Gun Hill Signal Station: Gun Hill was one of the island’s most important signal stations because it occupies the only high point in the southern part of the island. The station served as a military command post and convalescent station. Not surprisingly, there is a spectacular view of St. George Parish.
Flower Forest: More than just a simple garden, environmentally correct. Flower Forest is more than 50 acres of flowers and plants thriving in a natural state and it is an open-air museum of living things. Touching is encouraged, and labels as well as informative guides can give ou the names of familiar (and not-so-familiar) species.

Barbados enjoys a rich colonial heritage. By the 17th century, 26 forts guarded almost the entire coastline. Many remain in ruin. Farley Hill National Park’s ruined great house still overlooks its still well tended gardens and expansive lawns. The grounds and excellent views of the eastern shore lend themselves nicely to photography as well as to picnicking. Near the park are the remains of an old windmill.

Beaches: Rockley, Worthing, Hastings, Crane, and Bathsheba.






Our shore excursion wasn’t until 12:45 so we had plenty of time before leaving so we enjoyed going to the Thermal Spa. We met an older woman there who was interested in Alan’s job when she found that he was in the auto-transport business. She apparently was moving from somewhere in West Virginia to Carolina and questioned him on who would be good to contact. It’s kind of funny whenever people find out that Alan delivers new vehicles to dealerships. Usually, they make a remark like, “you can drop one off at my address’. I was able to go to the morning craft class where I learned all about Iris Folding. This was a neat craft where scraps of wrapping paper are used and with following a pattern a pretty design appears. These can then be put on cards.

We were able to catch a bus to the terminal where we ended up waiting for about an hour but it was a nice terminal with all kinds of stores. I went in one and bought a nice big rum cake to take back to my boss. In another store I found a doll that I bought for Emily’s collection. While waiting I enjoyed listening to some nice music and when Alan returned from having a smoke I went in and bought a copy of the CD that had been playing recorded by a local group by the name of Merrymen. I was beginning to get thirsty and noticed some folks who were sitting next to me drinking a nice orange drink and they directed Alan to where they bought it. It was a mango-passion fruit ice drink and we shared one. Alan and I found some hats that matched. Soon it was time to board the bus so we went outside to wait to be boarded. There were all kinds of venders outside selling dresses and shirts but I passed.

We went to the Barbados Wildlife Reserve to see the famous Green Monkeys. On the way, we stopped at a beautiful beach called Bathsheba for photo shoots and it's truly a beautiful beach! The CD by The Merrymen had one of their songs called Bathsheba about that beach. The CD is easy island listening so I got it to listen to at work. The ride to the reserve took about an hour. Once we got there it wasn’t long before we began spotting the monkeys. I got a lot of great shots of a family of them up in the trees as well as on the ground. They seemed as curious about all of us as we were about them. We took a nice drive up to the reserve and once there we were greeted by a lot of monkeys, guess our timing was just right too as it had started to rain prior to arriving but then stopped. The baby monkeys were so adorable as they stayed close to their mother and it was fun watching them dash here and there with their extremely long tails. There was one monkey that hopped right on top of someone’s parked car so I quickly snapped a picture of him or her as evidence. We entered the reserve but I was hurting too much to walk through it so I stayed back with an elderly man who was watching a certain turtle racing (if you want to call it that) down the path. The man had clocked him at 12 minutes and the old turtle hadn’t gone very far in that time. It seemed that everywhere I looked there were turtles and I had to make sure where I put my foot down as to not step on one as I wasn’t sure if they might try biting me if I did.
I walked down the path a little and saw a few strange looking animals, one looked kind of like a hare but it wasn’t and another looked like some kind of a deer. I’m not sure what kind of animals they were but maybe I can find them in a book somewhere. Alan went on down the path with our group and upon returning said I didn’t really miss all that much. He probably said that to make me feel better about not being able to walk through it. I was able to get a lot of neat photos though including one of a small little lizard on a wall and a couple of turtles that were taking a stroll together. At one point it looked like they were trying to race each other. That made for an interesting picture. The green monkeys became famous for being used in the polio vaccine as well as the AIDS vaccines. At the end of the tour we all enjoyed a refreshing drink before boarding our bus back to the ship. We got back to the ship just in time as we were suppose to be back on the ship by 4:30. At least we were on a ship-sponsored tour so they wouldn’t be leaving until we returned.

It was another formal night so we hustled to our rooms for showers and arrived at our table on time. I wore my red dress this time. I had bought some Jackie Kennedy earrings and they looked nice with my dress. Stuart brought his bagpipes and played for us. Cash and Helen ate at the Pinnacle Grill as they had won a dinner there so they missed hearing Stuart play. He was quite the entertainer. How nice that he enjoyed sharing his talents with others. Nancy was telling me about him having tumors on his head and that he’d had surgery that had been botched.
She apparently has had some serious health issues in the past too. Guess that’s why they are taking advantage in traveling and enjoying life while they can. Alan and I agree that one must take that attitude in life. Throughout the cruise all of us at the table have switched seats sometimes sitting next to our spouses and at other times sitting across from them. It appears that the two retired schoolteachers ladies must not have brought anything to wear for formal evenings, as they never come to the table on those nights. Rudy and Josephine sat next to the window across from each other on the first evening but the rest of the evenings they sat at the other end of the table. I think it was so due to the fact it was easier for them to get in and out. They seemed to enjoy playing the slot machines. One night they won quite a bundle but they ended up losing it all the next day. Guess since they were given the cruise from their nephew at the last minute they could afford to gamble like that. For dinner I had chilled cherry soup, Caesar salad, Beef Tenderloin with vegetables and mashed potatoes and ice cream with fruit and nuts along with a cappuccino for dessert.

The Showtime was called Paparazzi and we were encouraged to take pictures during the show, which was forbidden during all the other shows. I got some pretty good shots even though it was dark.

Activities on the ship included: the morning stretch, aerobics, Walk-a-Mile, Pictionary Game Volleyball, Card Players, Afternoon Tea, Ping-pong, Know Your Fashion seminar, Team Trivia, BINGO, basketball, Sail-a-way Party, mass, Hanukkah, Elvis Classics with Ian (which we attended). There was a Black and White ball but that was later in the evening.

A Date with a Rainforest in Dominica

This ship was docking in the wee hours of the morning. It's the German ship AIDA. Pretty, isn't she?













Yes, we're going on the Rainforest Tour, we'll be right there.




















Check out all the different plants and trees living together.














These unusual flower looking plants grow right in the trees without soil, isn't that amazing?














Check out this teeny, tiny blue flower growing amongst giant palm trees in the Rainforest.














Looks like a storm is brewing...














This is one way to see the rainforest if you're brave enough to cross the bridge while the wind is blowing and you're getting drenched by the rain.














I'm sure glad I didn't fall while trying to capture this picture...it was a long ways down.














Alan kicking back. Can you believe it's December?














Alan buying paper flowers made by the local children to raise money for their school.














Can you see it? Look closely and you'll see a tiny black hummingbird in the middle of the picture.














Yep, this is all that protected us from the storm that drenched us.














And the rains came down...hard! I knew we should've bought a rain poncho before getting on the tram but Alan said we wouldn't need one...WRONG!














Finally, at the end of the ride refreshments were waiting. I chose hot chocolate.

Day Six

After departing St. Thomas, various Southeasterly courses brought us to Roseau, Dominica. Our track lead us past St. Croix on our starboard side and the Saba Bank on our port side during the evening. Christopher Columbus sighted the island in 1493 and named it after the day of the week, Sunday, or Dominicus in Latin. We picked up a local Pilot around 7am to assist getting into the port.

Dominica is famous for its tropical rainforest, and many rivers and waterfalls, which result from the high rainfall in the interior. In addition, its volcanic origins manifest themselves most noticeably in the Boiling Lake (one of the largest of its kind in the world) and many other smaller fumaroles around the island (including at least one underwater). Moreover, it is widely acknowledged to be both one of the best dive sites and a prime whale watching location in the region (if not the world). There are a number of national Parks or Reserves on the island. The World Heritage Site, the 17,000-acre Morne Trois Pitons National Park contains perhaps the majority of Dominica’s above-water famous sites-several crater lakes and waterfalls, including the Emerald Pool, 14 miles from Roseau.

English is the official language but a French-based Creole is widely spoken, especially in outlying villages. This reflects an often-turbulent history in which the island would be assigned to Britain by a treaty with the French, who would promptly break it and try to regain control of Dominica. Throughout and to the present day the original inhabitants, the Caribs, tried to coexist. In 1903 they were assigned a 3,700-acre Territory in the northeast where around 3,000 live today. From the rainforests, waterfalls and hundreds of rivers and streams, to the blue Caribbean Sea, Dominica is truly a land of water. The Commonwealth of Dominica (not to be confused with the Dominican Republic) is one of th most beautiful and unspoiled islands in the Caribbean.

Dominica (dah muh Nee kuh) belongs to the leeward island group in the Lesser Antilles. The archipelago is defined by Anguilla and Dominica as end points. Dominica’s rugged mountains drop precipitously into lush valleys creating the picture of tropical paradise, although unlike other regional destinations, there are relatively few amenable beaches.

More than 5,000 years ago, nomadic tribes migrated into the Caribbean, presumably from the Orinoco basin. Little is known about the early wanderers—the only evidence comes from archaeological relics. Some 3,000 years later, Arawaks followed and displaced the original settlers. The Arawaks followed and displace the original settlers. The Arawak people were not warrior, but their ability to organize into cohesive communities overwhelmed the ancient tribes—if any remained by that time.

Sometime around 1000AD, Carib tribes sailed northward along the same routes. They penetrated most of the Caribbean basin and were present when Columbus sighted Dominica on November 3, 1493, during his second voyage. Arriving from the east, he was unable to land on the high windward cliffs and assuming the entire coast was craggy, he sailed onward.

Early European explorers knew the cannibalistic Caribs were not exactly gracious hosts, but historians have begun to suspect that reports of barbarism may have been somewhat exaggerated. Perhaps guilt prompted a need to find due cause for the genocide that was perpetrated in the region, or maybe competitive early colonists fostered false notions to discourage others from trying to claim their territory. If that is the case, the ruse was effective. The largest fleets avoided the Eastern Caribbean until the mid-17th century. By that time, small, interdependent European communities were scattered throughout the region. By the 20th century, the lines had been drawn and the Caribbean region had been divided among various European communities. The island nation retains allegiance to the Commonwealth and recognizes the British monarch.

Roseau: In 1650, the governor of Martinique purchased Grenada for a few knives, hatchets, and glass beads, but it still took another century for French colonists to reach Dominica. Carib presence had dwindled, the tribes decimated by overwhelming European force and disease. Only Dominica and St. Vincent still had Carib communities. The island’s modern Carib Reserve is a refuge for the remnants of the community.

The struggle for dominance did not end. Caribs continued to attack French settlements, and English forces invaded in 1761. Soon, the British won control (made official by the 1783 Treaty of Paris). The small nation won independence on November 3, 1978, and like many former colonies belongs to the British Commonwealth.

The pretty colonial capital lines the Roseau riverbank on Dominica’s southwestern coast. Bay Street follows the waterfront and is a place of antique warehouses and wooden colonial buildings. Most of the quaint structures date from the 19th century, and some have been neglected. Earlier buildings were lost and the entire town was rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1805 along with other fires that followed. One of the most impressive antiques is Fort Young in Peebles Park and the majority of the government buildings are nearby. There are also a number of newer buildings in the capital and interspersed with the older structures, they sometimes look out of place. One must take care walking in town, as some of the sidewalks are broken or uneven.

Perhaps just as interesting, Roseau’s vast Botanical Garden reveals not only English heritage, but also the island nation’s keen and progressive eye toward preserving the delicate natural environment. The gardens are pretty big—the grounds cover nearly 1/3 of the land in the inner city. Unfortunately, the park has suffered some damage in past years due to severe weather. The government has undertaken a serious effort to restore the grounds for the benefit of visitors and residents alike. There are no beaches in Dominica and while the island is a beautiful place, it is not known for its beaches. Rockaway Beach, a notable exception north of the port, is one of the island’s few inviting beaches but make sure not to swim alone!

Beyond Roseau: Boiling Lake is a desolate place in the midst of the otherwise verdant landscape. The volcanic lake bubbles with sulfuric gases that are released. Guests are urged not to visit the geothermal area independently as there have been tragic accidents in the past.

The lakes are within the bounds of Morne Trois Pitons National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). One of the Caribbean’s most fertile and beautiful places, waterfalls and hiking trails dot the 25 square mile preserve just east of Roseau. The park offers striking examples of active geothermal activity. In the Valley of Desolation, for example, there are more than fifty active fumaroles and hot spring pools, both indicative of extreme temperatures just beneath the surface.

The Carib Reservation is centered around the east coast community of Salibia.

Into the Shallows: Island leaders long ago recognized that the most valuable national treasure is nature itself. Like much of the land, the marine environment that surrounds Dominica is protected habitat. The Caribs Marine Reserve in the north was the first aquatic park, but others were soon added. Scotts Head Soufriere Marine Reserve, at the Southern end of the island, is a bit more accessible for visitors at Roseau. Dive operators enforce a strict “look but don’t touch policy’, and are always careful to remind dive participants to leave only bubbles, and take only pictures, memories, and any trash they produce. So don’t take such warnings personally—they are standard.” To support the protected land and marine habitats, visitors pay a small marine park users fee that helps fund maintenance and upkeep.

Some of Dominica’s undersea world is still unexplored, so there is much to interest marine enthusiasts. Many divers are fooled by the unusual colors they see in local waters. While neighboring Martinique and Guadeloupe feature lighter sand, the seabed around Dominica is fairly dark, so the water looks a lot deeper than it really is.

Scotts Head Soufriere Marine Reserve includes more than a dozen popular diving sites. Among the most popular, Soufriere’s Suburbs and Village are lush submarine rocky walls that tend to attract large schools of black durgon, barracuda, turtles, and some fairly big stingrays. The drop-off is the edge of a northward-flowing channel and a surprising variety of marine species can be seen if the current is particularly strong. Even if it is relatively ‘quiet’, however, coral species include barrel sponges and graceful sea fans. Just past Scott’s Head Pinnacle, a volcanic ridge points the way to Crater’s Edge where the sea bursts into vivid color. Schools of fish tend to feed in the area because of the many small (food) species and plankton that live there. Look for blackjack, bar jacks, rainbow runners, tuna, yellowtail, snapper, and cero—all busy devouring their lunch. A wall covered with colorful sponges is the natural canvas for the living painting, and occasionally, a larger fish swims into view.

There are also a number of popular sites on the northern shore near Portsmouth. Operators tend to visit their personal favorite sites, but changing sea conditions can also dictate what is popular on a given day. All scuba participants are required to carry a valid certification card. If you are not a diver, you can still enjoy the undersea wonders. There are snorkeling operations as well as marine sporting activities you can enjoy.

Scott’s Head: The island’s southern tip is a cape that encloses one of Dominica’s spectacular marine habitats. The southern most village is Scott’s Head. A short (approximately 20 minutes one-way) trail leads from town to the point where you can enjoy views of the dramatic headland and crashing sea below. The ruin of the island’s oldest British Fort (begun 1765) still guard the point. Lieutenant Governor George Scott directed the operation, so the cape was named in his honor.

Pre-Colonial Dominica: The island of Dominica is somewhere around 26 million years old, but that is a youthful age in comparison to neighboring islands. I fact, the island is the Caribbean’s youngest, a factor that is responsible for its dramatic beauty. Older islands have been eroded and softened somewhat by time, but Dominica’s landscape is still pretty sharp and steep. Its rivers drop from the heights and tend to have high volumes of water. The island’s forests are fairly intact, the sheer cliffs are verdant, and the overall effect is stunning. A vast section of the island south of the island’s second highest mountain, Morne Trois Pitons, was proposed as a forest reserve in 1952, and was designated National Park in July 1975.

Historic Footprints:
3000BC Igneri tribes reach Dominica
1000 Kalinago (Caribs) name the island Wai’tukubuli (her body is very tall)
1493 Columbus sights the island on Sunday (Dominica)
1627 The British Earl of Carlisle is granted rights to Dominica
1635 France claims Dominica and missionaries establish colonies, meet fierce Carib resistance
1748 French pressure results in the Treaty of Aix-La Chapella (revoking the 1627 British concession)
1763 Treaty of Paris. Britain regains control of Dominica
1778 France regains Dominica
1783 Treaty of Versailles—France returns Dominica to Britain
1784 Maroon (escaped slaves) revolt
1785-6 British Moroon war. Maroons are defeated. Leaders are imprisoned or executed
1789 French Revolution
1797 French Revolution spurs pan-Caribbean Republican invasion
1831 Full political and social rights are granted to Maroons






1834 Slavery abolished
1865 Dominica is a British Crown Colony
1938 Moyne Commission makes possible union and party formation in Dominica
1967 Dominica simi-independent. First Prime Minister is Patrick John
1978 Full Independence
1980 Eugenia Charles is first female Prime Minister in the Caribbean
2004 Dominica cuts Taiwan treaties, opens China relations

The forecast called for partially cloudy and a bit cooler at 79 degrees in Dominica, reminds me of the song Dominica. We had booked this particular cruise mainly so we could go to this island and see the rainforest by means of the aerial tram. Needless to say, we should've bought a rain poncho before getting on the tram as we got dumped on, a lot! We had left at 8:45 am and by the time the tram ride through the rainforest was over we were both pretty wet and cold. I chose to have a hot cup of coffee at the end of the ride but since everyone was waiting for us on the bus I didn’t get to drink it. The steps going up to the tram was hard on my knees so on the way down they wheeled me in a nice comfy wheelchair. It's a good thing I had my large straw hat with me to protect my camera while I was taking pictures. Rainforests are sure beautiful but they are true to their name...lol. I had the hardest time finding a Christmas ornament on that island and finally went into a leather store where there was only one ornament (mother holding baby) so I bought it. Alan bought me a pair of lovely earrings there, which I wore since I didn't have any and wouldn't you know he had to show me some fish as we were crossing a bridge and off came one of my earrings and the fish ate it. So he went back to the store and bought the last pair they had...that became an expensive pair of earrings...lol...should've thrown a fishing line over the bridge and caught that fish...lol
After returning from the rainforest I had my hair braided since I’d promise a lady named Baby, and ended up resembling Bo Derek--NOT, she's got the figure I wish I had. I kept my hair braided until Christmas Day; it took 3 hours to undo all 63 of them. Alan bought several decorative paper flowers from a mother who said that school children made to earn money for their school. I bought some prior to going to the rain forest, which was a big mistake and they ended up wet and droopy so I bought more to bring home for the ladies at work. It was for a good cause and not expensive. While in Dominica I strolled around Roseau searching for a Christmas ornament and none were to be found and it seemed no one could direct me to a place where I could find any. Some of the streets were like allies and I felt a bit strange walking down their cobbled paths as some of the people there looked a bit intimidating. One guy even approached me asking if I’d like to take a walk to the forest, which I quickly declined. I think he was trying to sell drugs. Alan and I kept walking and we ran into a police officer. I asked if he knew and he didn’t either. Finally, we walked into a leather goods store and walked to the back of it and there I found ONE ornament, which I bought. It was of a mother holding a child made of wood. It was in a glass case along with some earrings and other items. There was a nice pair of earrings that Alan pointed out so we bought those to even though I thought they were a bit pricey at $18. Since I wasn’t wearing any I put them on. We walked back towards the ship and crossed a small bridge where Alan pointed out some fish in the water. I leaned over to look at them and all of a sudden something fell into the water and the fish quickly grabbed it, thinking it was food. It was something shiny and I soon found out what it was—one of my new earrings! Needless to say I wasn’t a bit happy and told Alan that thanks to him telling me to lean over and look at a fish I now had only one earring. I told him that he now had to go back to the store and buy me another set or earrings, which he did. Now I have a $36 pair of earrings—with a spare.

We got back on the ship in time for some lunch. I was famished but since it was only a few short hours till dinner we ate a light lunch at the Lido Deck consisting of sandwiches. I went to the craft class and made two different zipper pullers.



Some of the activities on board the ship for the day included: a morning fitness stretch, total body conditioning, the Walk-a-Mile, a game of Catch Phrase, ping-pong, card players meet, an Indonesian tea ceremony, backward basketball shootout, Team Trivia, BINGO, mass, Hanukkah, ancient Roman Glass unveiling, and Stud Poker in the Casino.

For dinner we had prime rib, veggies, baked potato, fruit kabobs and cheesecake for dessert. I never did receive my green salad, not sure why the waiter forgot to bring it since it’s something I ordered regularly.

The Showtime entertainment for the evening was the guitar wizard, Justin Miller. From lightning-fast tunes to fiery flamenco, from the tasteful picking of Chet Atkins to the pyrotechnics of Les Paul, few guitarists today can match Dr. Justin Miller. With his surprising custom-made guitars and mandolins, r. Miller has been featured on hundreds of broadcasts and concert stages, even performing in Moscow and Jerusalem. His new CD of songs and stories debuted nationwide on CBS radio. Justin included bossa nova, Bach, bluegrass and a whole lot more. He also included stories behind famous performers that he’s met throughout his life. One of his guitars was quite unusual as it was just the outline of a guitar and you could see right through it.

Around the Ship and St.Thomas

Karen's Painting has started. It was fun mixing the colors.














Hot tub anyone? Do you think you have privacy from everyone?















Statue of King William III, handsome bloke, isn't he?














Now this is the way to wait for an elevator!















You can see 2 ships in the background but since we were on the Holland America we got our own private dock in St. Thomas.















And this is the Diamonds International store by our dock where Alan bought my beautiful diamond ring! It's a huge store as you can see. It's the one right in front of the huge windmill.

Day Five

In St. Thomas we had a day that was partially cloudy with a high of 82 degrees, which was perfect weather. We decided to have breakfast once again on the Lido Deck. We had our usual omelets, waffles, English muffins and juice. The craft for the day were zipper pullers and I was able to make two of them. We left for our excursion early, 8:15 and returned around shortly after noon. We went through US Customs and Border Protection Inspections early in the morning and once again it went smooth.

Some of the activities throughout the day included a fitness class for stretching and relaxing, aerobics, the morning walk-a-mile, a game of Skip-Bo, volleyball, card players meeting, 3-on-3 basketball, afternoon tea, a gem of Boggle, Team Trivia, Snowball Jackpot BINGO, gift wrapping ideas, Pirate’s Sail away Party, Mass, Second night of Hanukkah, perfume sampling, Face-Up Blackjack, viewing of Peter Max exhibit, Unveiling of Russian Diamonds, Shades of Blue Jewelry Event, and the first round of the Noordam Superstar Singing Competition. There was a Cure 5K Walk sponsored by Holland America Line Foundation where they invited guests to join in the fight against breast cancer by participating in On Deck for the Cure, a 5k non-competitive walk around the ship’s deck that raised money for Susan G Komen for the Cure. The walk was held on Sunday afternoon.

There were all kinds of decorative statues of Kings and Queens from Norway on the ship so I chose a few to take pictures of along with those fabulous chairs by the elevators. Shouldn’t there be chairs by elevators in every building, at least the one I work in as sometimes it takes a half hour to catch one going your way…especially during lunchtime. Another picture I took was of a hot tub on the balcony of another ship. Now that’s what I call being spoiled! Did I happen to mention that Alan and I had brought along some oil painting kits so we could paint while relaxing? Well, I started to paint mine, Alan never got around to doing his. I was proud at how far I’d gotten but when it came time to pack I couldn’t take it as it was still wet. So I left the unfinished painting behind but did take the paints and Alan’s painting…figured I could paint it someday at home.

After departure from Road Town, we sailed throughout the night on various westerly courses. Our approach to St. Thomas was from the south, where the navigational team embarked the pilot outside the harbor entrance at around 6:00am. The pilot advised the team on the local waters, and the best possible routing. An outstanding feature of the Virgin Islands is the steadiness of the trade winds, which blow almost without exception from the east. US Customs and Boarder Protection requires that all guests attend US Immigration Inspection upon arrival, even if we were not going ashore. Immigration Inspection began after officials had boarded which war around 7:00am. Non-US citizens, including alien registration cardholders, went to the Hudson Room on Promenade Deck 3. US citizens went to the Queen’s Lounge on Lower Promenade Deck 2. Guests were called over the PA system by the deck their stateroom was located. We all had to go through immigration so we were there early so we could get to our shore excursion on time. It was amazing how some folks could be so rude and try pushing themselves through. It seemed like it was mostly foreigners. Maybe that’s how they grew up in life—pushing themselves. All guests had to bring their completed white immigration inspection card and passport or proof of citizenship + photo I.D. with them. When leaving the ship, we had to make sure to bring our yellow clearance card and our Holland America Line Guest ID Card as we approached the gangway for scanning at the security gate. We were advised once we had disembarked we could not re-board the vessel until immigration procedures had been completed. Immigration actually went quite smooth and soon we were up enjoying a nice breakfast in the Lido Room. When we arrived in St. Thomas we were docked at a different dock then we usually dock at. We were docked at Charlotte Amalie.

Now for some interesting facts about St. Thomas. Columbus probably sighted St. Thomas and St. John, but larger St. Croix was the Virgin he logged during his second voyage of discovery in 1493. The Spaniards didn’t stay in the islands. Once they discovered gold in Mexico and Peru, conquistador focus shifted westward. Like most of the Caribbean islands, however, St. Thomas was ruled at various times by local French, Dutch, and English expeditionary forces searching for new territory and commercial opportunities. In 1593, Sir Francis Drake stopped at St. Thomas and St. John on his way to attack the Spanish at San Juan. Over the next hundred years, St. John and St. Thomas were owned by the Danish West India and Guinea Company. On St. Thomas, the Danes founded the town of Chalotte Amalie from the profits of the lucrative sugar trade. At the height of its sugar producing days, St. Thomas had over 170 plantations. However, the number dwindled quickly. The terrain proved too rugged for agriculture, and the focus shifted to trade. In 1665, Erik Neilson Smith, a Danish sea captain, assumed governorship of the islands with support of the Dutch king.
In the next century, the other two large islands and surround islets were acquired. It was hard for the Danes to defend their holding—a lonely isolated outpost—but they held on until the 20th century. British forces invade several times, but Denmark retained control. In 1724 St. Thomas became a free port where goods were exempt from duties and regulations.

The United States government had already recognized the strategic advantage of a Caribbean military base, especially after the Panama Canal, but it took 50 years to purchase it in 1914. Trying to protect US trade interests in the Caribbean, the US bought the island from Denmark for $25 million USD in 1917. The first agreement was signed in 1867, but the Secretary of State William Henry Seward had recently bought Alaska fro US $7 million and the move known as Seward’s Folly was not popular in Congress. The proposed $7.5 million contract for the new territory was approved in Denmark but the US Senate refused to authorize it. Around 1900, another proposal was made, but the offer was only $5 million and Denmark rejected the paltry contract out of hand. When WWII began in 1914, congress worried that Denmark might lose control of the islands and negotiations resumed. The shrewd Danes saw a business opportunity—they raised the price tag to $25 million. The sale was finalized in 1917. The final price—nearly $300 per acre, represents one of America’s most expensive land acquisitions ever! Still, you will probably agree that neither Alaska nor the Virgin Islands was folly. Consider today’s real estate prices and look at the treasures America got for the money. It won’t take you long to figure out why the Virgin Islands are cherished as “American Paradise” The US Navy ruled the Island until 1931 when a civil government was established. After World War II, the islands were neglected until American conflict with Cuba sent tourists looking for new white beaches, coral reefs and azure waters. Now the USVI offers one of the highest standards of living in the West Indies.

Historic Footprints:
1500 BC Arawak (also known as Taino) and Ciboney tribes settle in the Caribbean.
1492 Christopher Columbus “discovers” the Caribbean. Believing he has reached the Asian coast, he names the islands Las Indias. The error results in West Indies and indigenous people are called “Indians”
1493 During his second voyage, Columbus names Las Once Mil Virgines “the 11,000 virgins” in honor of St. Ursula and her 11,000 martyred Virgins.
1665 Danish King Frederik III claims St. Thomas. The port of Taphus (later Charlotte Amalie) is established.
1667 Danes abandon the island discouraged by hurricane and disease.
1671 Danish West Indian Co. begins
1672 Governor George Iverson leads 189 settlers (116 indentured servants (bondsmen) and 61 convicts). Few survive
1685 Brandenburg American Company is established to operate a slave-trade post. Local leaders turn blind eye to pirates as merchants profit from sales of pirate ‘booty’
1691 Taphus is renamed Charlotte Amalie to honor King Christian V’s bride
1725 Dronningens Gade is a place of legitimate business
1917 US purchases Virgin Islands for $25 million in gold. Navy administers the territory.

Interesting Sites: USVI administration is similar to the 50 state governments. Senate meets in a green 1874 Danish police barracks just off King’s Wharf near the waterfront. If the Territory Assembly is in session you’ll want to visit. Assembly is in session—lively debates can be quite entertaining. Near the legislature, Emancipation Garden recalls the 1848 Danish liberation of slaves nearly 20 years before the Emancipation Proclamation. Across the garden from the Legislature, Fort Christian, dedicated in 1678 is one of the island’s oldest structures. The old walls formed the colonial boundaries. The dungeon museum relics include antique maps, and odd historic relics. The fort was begun in 1671 when King Christian V sponsored the lucrative colony. The Government House mansion was built in the mid 1860s and serves as administrative headquarters for the USVI territory. The gates are guarded, but with permission, it is possible to view the lower floors. The interior features rich mahogany work, and murals commemorate Columbus and his discovery of the islands in 1493 along with other important historical relics. Not far from Drake’s Seat, the observatory point Sir Francis Drake used to guard his fleet. St. Peter Greathouse is in the midst of a lush Botanical Garden. The former corporate guesthouse hs been transformed into an art gallery highlighting local artists. A trail traverses the three acres, and postings describe plant life. The Seven Arches are adornments to an 18th-century West Indian style Danish great house. The kitchen, slave quarters, and furnishings provide insight into lifestyles of the past. The home is still a private residence, but the second floor is a museum. Altitude changes prompted colonists to add staircases. Completed in the mid-1700s by Danish builders 99 Steps, there are actually more than 100, were fashioned from ship’s ballast.

St. Thomas is the administrative center for the USVI including St. John, St. Croix and various small islets. The arrival point for most visitors, and the commercial center, Charlotte Amalie, welcomes as many as 50 passenger ships a month. On busy days, there can be ten cruise ships in port. The town has long been one of the Caribbean’s most popular and most accessible cruise destinations.

Popular beaches include Magen’s Bay, which is heart shaped like a heart and one of the most beautiful in the world is located on the north shore. Hull Bay is the surfer’s beach and Coki Point Beach is perfect for snorkeling.

We decided on taking a ferry to the island of St. John, where we would visit Trunk Bay, which has been voted one of the world's prettiest beaches. It has great snorkeling with a snorkeling path with signs in the water identifying various fish and coral. I tried snorkeling but with my problem breathing it didn't work out for me so I quickly headed back to the beach with Alan. At least I tried and was able to see some fish. Once Alan and I changed stepped out of our gear we talked a little with one of the couples from table while we dried off. We weren’t really hungry so we opted for a couple of refreshing drinks. Since I couldn't find my sunglasses and thought I'd left them on the catamaran I found another pair at the quaint, little gift shop in Trunk Bay. They were a lot nicer than the other ones I had brought for the trip. I also found a few souvenirs for the girls at work who were covering the front desk for me while I was on vacation plus a nice desk calendar that is loaded with beautiful Virgin Island photographs. I also found a Christmas ornament in the shop of Santa under a palm tree.

After returning to the ship from St. John around noon we unloaded our tote bag and went back on shore. I looked at the shops for some of the sundresses and only found a couple so bought them right up. I hoped that St. Maarten would have what I was looking for. Next I ventured into the Diamonds to see about getting my ‘free’ charm there. While in the shop I browsed around at some of their rings. I’ve been wanting to upgrade my ring from yellow gold to white gold and have the stone from my old setting put into a new one. I fell in love with a gorgeous unique setting that had both round diamonds on each side of the center setting plus rectangular ones. I asked the saleslady the price and it was actually quite reasonable. I asked the lady what her name was and she said Beverly. I told her that I worked with a person by that name that grew up on St. Thomas and it would be easy to remember her name. I asked Alan to come into the store so I could show him the ring. To my surprise he went ahead and bought it for me as he thought it was a bargain and would make for a nice anniversary present. Nancy kept telling us about a special ring that she was planning on getting in St. Thomas for her birthday. It was one she’d seen worn by someone else and she wanted it for her 50th birthday. When she came to dinner that night she wore it. It was actually two rings in one and nice. I loved the setting I got and could hardly wait to get my old stone put into the new shiny white gold setting. I had such a hard time removing my old rings from my fingers until Beverly put some Windex on them. I didn’t put them back on but did find a nice ring with amethyst and jade in it to wear until my new setting was ready. I took several pictures of the store I bought the ring.

We returned around 2:00, just in time for lunch. I had a Valentino sandwich, which is like a Reuben but has tomato on it too. I named it after the sandwich maker and found it to be quite satisfying. Since dinner was only a few hours away we kept our lunch light.

For dinner we had a nice prime rib dinner with all the fixins. Since shrimp cocktails were on the menu we ordered them and they were so tasty that Nancy and I ordered another one. The shrimps were by no means shrimpy either. And of course I had my usual Caesar salad and chilled soup.

The Showtime for the night was a juggling act performed by Adam Kario. He was also a comedian and has performed around the world, displaying his unique style of comedy and variety. His offbeat comedy has won over countless audiences and his incredible talent has earned him a total of two world championships. He has appeared on the Bravo Channel in “Juggler” and ABC’s World News Tonight. He did a very funny act using a gentleman from the audience and knives and we all laughed as the guy was blindfolded and thought he was going to be stabbed but was surprised when he wasn’t, I wonder if he had to change his pants afterwards.

Our First Stop-Tortola and Treasure Island

Pelicans sitting in a tree.















Sunset at the end of the day.














Treasure Island and our catamaran.

Alan waving hello.

Day Four

Here it was day four already. We woke up to a partly cloudy sky but the temperature was going to be a perfect 81 degrees. We decided to have breakfast up on the Lido Deck. We enjoyed omelets, waffles with berries and juice. We enjoyed all the choices there were and it was a lot quicker than eating in the dining room.

The craft for the day was Iris Folding and I found it to be a lot of fun! We made cards and I now know what I can do with all the Christmas leftover scraps of wrapping paper. I look forward to learning how to do more patterns. There is going to be another day we do Iris folding and it will be using the shiny paper that is thicker. It’s said to give even a different affect. There was only one class this day since we were docked and a lot of our crafty people would be on shore.

During the approach to Tortola we sailed through the Sir Francis Drake Channel, passing many of the islands of the Virgin Islands group. This group comprises a large number of small islands, only few of which are large enough to support habitation. With the notable exception of Anegada they are mainly volcanic in origin and mountainous in nature. Tortola has powdery white-sand beaches, lush green mountains, and a sheltered yacht-filled harbor characteristic of Tortola where the past of the West Indies meets the present of the BVI. The largest island in the chain, Tortola offers a variety of exciting vacation possibilities. Wander through centuries-old ruins such as the Dungeon, Fort George, Fort Recovery, the Mount Healthy Windmill, and Callwood’s Rum Distillery, which is still in operation, and explore Tortola’s history at the BVI Folk Museum in Road Town. The people of Tortola are friendly and known for their warmth and hospitality. There are a wide variety of places to stay, ranging from campgrounds to luxury resorts and private villas. Tortola is also an ideal point from which to explore the other British Virgin Islands. Regular ferries, private and crewed yachts, and planes travel daily to the other islands of the BVI.

Here’s a little background about Tortola. The Spanish aristocracy was not overly interested in the Virgin Islands-there was no gold and most early explorers sought riches to fund their voyages. Pirates figured out that hidden coves and complex reef systems amounted to a maritime spider’s web-perfect for snagging passing ships.

Modern Tortola, with 13,000 residents, is the largest and most populous island in the British Virgin Islands archipelago (only 17,000 people live in the island group!) The hilly south coast is blanketed with frangipani and fragrant ginger. The north is characterized by inviting white sandy beaches, many of which are sheltered from ocean currents by coral reefs or cover formations. In the northern interior, mango and banana groves thrive. Road Town is the main town and capital of 12-by-3 mile island. With 3,200 residents, it is a subdued but sophisticated community. West Indian charm is reflected in the capital’s colorful wood and stone buildings and several colonial buildings have been restored as quaint shops along Main Street.

Just outside Road Town, scenic Ridge Road leads up to Fort Hill, past some of the island’s charming smaller villages, such as Long Trench and Fahie Hill. Tortola’s narrow and twisting roads follow what were once dirt donkey tracks (they were also footpaths). One must pay close attention to traffic-some visitors find it hard to remember that BVI drivers stay to the left! The summit at Sky World offers excellent views, but continue to Sage Mountain National park, one of Tortola’s natural treasures. 1,716-foot Mount Sage is the highest point in the BVI. Trails offer panoramic views of neighboring Peter, Salt, Cooper and Ginger islands to the south and Jost Van Dyke and Sandy Cay to the north.

The ruin of Dutch-built Fort Recovery is another interesting Tortola sight. Dutch settlers, who landed at Soper’s Hole in 1648, are believed to have built its standing stone tower. Josiah’s Bay is perfect for picnickers or sunbathers, while nearby Brewer’s Bay is good for swimming. Cane Garden Bay, closer to Road Town, is one of the most popular beaches in Tortola.

Road Town, neither as crowded, nor quite as commercial as the nearby St. Thomas capital (USVI), it is the administrative capital of the British Virgin Islands. Road Town life centers around Wickham’s Cay, where the harbor is full of expensive yachts from all around the world. Main Street, parallel to Waterfront Drive, forms an ‘s’ along the base of Russell Hill and most visitors find their way along it sooner or later.

The British Virgin Islands are popular among sailors, not only because of their natural beauty, but also because of the archipelago’s many small-secluded islands and islets. If one forgot to bring their own yacht, several chartering agencies offer services, and a BVI Tourist Board office is located right on the pier to assist you with directions and maps.

Sage Mountain, towering 1,716 feet above Tortola, is the highest peak in the Virgin Islands. A twisting drive leads to a parking area on the slope and from there, a trail leas to the summit. The tail traverses Sage Mountain National Park, the island’s last remaining rain forest ecosystem and it is this habitat that provided the impetus for the park’s creation. Bird and plant lovers will enjoy this park for the abundance of unusual species that thrive within it’s boundaries and the views of Drake Channel are magnificent. If one should decide to hike, it’s advisable to wear sturdy non-skid shoes and check with a knowledgeable guide before setting out and never hike alone!

Fort Recovery. In the 17th century, not only British colonists, but Dutch and French settlers took and interest in the archipelago. Remnants of this period include the ruins of Fort Recovery, a Dutch battlement built to guard against possible invasion from neighboring Frenchman’s Cay. The stone tower is thought to be the result of efforts by the Dutch settlers, who arrived at Soper’s Hole in 1648. A small luxury hotel composed of individual villas has been built around the fortress. Not far away, at Carrot Bay, the North Shore Shell Museum is a fascinating place to visit if you are interested in seashells and local culture. The varied collection of shells may surprise you—especially if you collect shells.

In addition to Tortola, there are more than 50 other islands, rocks, an crags in the BVI chain. Most are fairly small and uninhabited, but as Tortola residents like to boast, this only means that the British Virgin Islands paradise remain unspoiled by tourism. The islands are blessed with consistently fine weather and while there are five-star resorts, overall development is limited. Coconut trees are the tallest objects-territorial law prohibits buildings more than two stories tall.

Virgin Gorda: It is not difficult to locate the second largest and second most populous of the 50 or so islands, islets, crags, and rocks that make up the BVI. Just follow the gorgeous Sir Francis Drake Passage from Road Town and it leads right past Spanish Town, the island’s second largest town. The ferry landing and the airport are both ear Spanish Town, but the largest town is The Valley. Outside the two communities, many roads are still unpaved. Two interesting crags off the southern end, Fallen Jerusalem and Broken Jerusalem, are landmarks. One of the most popular attractions in the BVI is the natural stretch of coast on Virgin Gorda, romantically known as The Baths. The boulders strewn along the southern coast are believed to have been hurled from a prehistoric volcano. Those that came to rest on the beach at the southwestern end of Virgin Gorda are haphazardly arranged as though a race of giants playing a game of marbles had been suddenly called away. The pools are grottoes formed by the great rocks offer excellent swimming and snorkeling opportunities. There is a parking area at the site where taxis can drop visitors off. A long trail leads down to the water-navigation has been made a little easier with steps and a series of rope railings although visitors are still urged to walk with care. The Mad Dog Restaurant at the trailhead is a long-standing Baths tradition. A gauntlet of clothing and souvenir shacks line the path as far as the Top of the Baths (a second restaurant). There is a small refreshment and souvenir stand on the beach. The paths in the preserve are uneven dirt trails.

A famous sometime resident of the BVI owns a small island off the northeastern shore of Virgin Gorda. Tiny Necker Island is the private property of British airline and record industry magnate Richard Branson. His lavish villa is sometimes leased.

Jost Van Dyke is known for its rustic isolation and slow pace. Visitors and residents can enjoy conversation and music at beach cafes, a lifestyle that can easily become habitual. Jost Van Dyke’s friendly atmosphere and pristine environment attracts nature lovers and offers a taste of the British Virgin Islands “as they once were”.

Anegada, the archipelago’s most remote and second-largest island, rises only 27 feet above sea level. Its flat 15-square mile mass of coral and limestone is ringed by deceptive coral reefs. More than 200 ships have wrecked in these shoals. Anegada is a favorite among divers and fishing enthusiasts. It is also home to the endangered rock iguana, which can grow to five feet long. Flamingos, ospreys, herons, and terns thrive in the island’s 1,100-acre bird sanctuary.

Peter Island is the essence of true paradise. The privately owned island resort is accessible only by water. Peter Island sports no less than five miles of secluded beaches and one of the most exclusive resorts. Available activities include tennis, sailing, and diving.

Norman Island, also known as Treasure Island, was the model for Robert Lewis Stevenson’s epic novel Treasure Island. More than any other island chain, Norman Island is also redolent with pirate history. Cattle farmers replace the pirates, but the island proved difficult for the operations, so it is now uninhabited. The island’s marine caves are among the popular attractions in the region. Norman Island is near the international boundary line separating the British and US Virgin Islands.

During the colonial era, pirates found plenty of ‘business’ in the BVI. Infamous rogues like ‘Blackbeard’, ‘Bluebeard’, and Sir Francis Drake were residents. Following abolition, farming and fishing created a new economy, but in the 1960s, Lawrence Rockefeller established ‘Little Dix Resort’ on Virgin Gorda and Charlie Cary recognizing tourist potential developed a marina on Tortola. Growth was controlled but tourism became an economic mainstay.

Historical Dates
1500BC Arawak and Ciboney tribes settle in the Caribbean
1000AD Caribs drive northward from the Orinoco Basin
1493 Columbus discovers and names the Virgin Islands for St Ursula and the 11,000 virgins
1499 Amerigo Vespucci charts the coast of Guiana and the Amazon river
1644 Triangle of trade begins
1648 Dutch settlers at Soper’s Hole
1655 Danish planters occupy St.Thomas Jamaica becomes a British colony
1666 British planters colonize the BVI, supplanting the original Dutch settlers
1672 BVI colonists annex in Tortola
1715 Balckbeard establishes a base at Soper’s Hole
1759 William Thornton, designer of the US Capitol Building, is born on Jost Van Dyke. He is among the first to free his slaves.
1762 British forces occupy several Caribbean islands, including Cuba
1774 House of Assembly meets in Road Town. Official BVI birth date
1801 British forces occupy the Danish West Indies
1808 Britain abolishes slave trade
1834 Emancipation Proclamation
1872 BVI British colony
1950 First electricity in BVI
1999 Road harbor Cruise Ship Terminal is completed

Our travel guide, Chris, held a presentation, ‘Caribbean Through the Lens’ and took people through a visual celebration of the Caribbean through his own photography. The eye-popping presentation was sure to inspire you to take along your camera wherever you went on the cruise. His easy to follow tips gave you some pointers as to how to improve the memories that you would capture on your vacation.

There was also a self-guided art tour where guests could stroll about the ship and see art valued at over $2million. An iPod was available to be your personal guide and learn more about the amazing collection.

One nice feature for those who enjoy playing games was the Community Bulletin Board. If you wanted to meet fellow guests with similar interests you could simply sign your name at the Explorations Café with your interest and stateroom number and look for fellow guests on the list with similar interests. It was a great way to have fun and make new friends. I didn’t really have time to check this out plus Alan is usually my game partner, maybe on our next Holland America cruise.

There was also a ‘Behind the Scenes Backstage Tour’ to show how showstoppers at sea were presented. You could get the inside story from the cast and technicians as they took you backstage. Since this happened while we were on our shore excursion we missed out on this.

We took a Sailaway Catamaran Tour when we got to Tortola where we went to Treasure Island, yes, the same as in the books and movies. We left at 2:50 and returned around 6:00pm. Our guide’s name was Dennis and he told me to tell all the young ladies that he’s employed and is a good guy. The name of the boat was Ppalu and was quite comfortable inside. Alan even snorkeled to the huge cave on the island. There was a large flock of pelicans that I had fun photographing as they dived into the water. When they were through they all flew to a nearby tree to sit and watch all the tourists. We had a brief stop at the island and I picked up a couple of small seashells off the beach. Alan enjoyed several glasses of rum punch while I stuck to good old water. After everyone was back on the catamaran the captain took us to a private little spot where we could get off and walk around the beach. I tried to find some seashells but they were very slim pickings. Since I didn’t go snorkeling I did go into the water for a refreshing dip. When I came out I found Alan at the beach pub and to my surprise he had ordered a rum and coke served in a pail. That’s right, it was served in one of those kid’s plastic beach pails and he spent $20 on it! I couldn’t believe it! Here he had brought his own bottle of rum so he wouldn’t have to buy any and he ends up buying one for $20 and then tipping the guide on the catamaran $20. Needless to say, Alan got pretty drunk and for the remainder of the cruise didn’t drink much rum after that. Sailing back to Tortola was so beautiful with the sun setting. I got some great shots!

We got back in time for me to attend the first night of Hanukkah and it was really interesting.
By the time we returned to the ship we had missed dinner in the dining room so we opted to eat at the pool where a big BBQ was being held. We had BBQ’ed chicken, ribs, corn on the cob, and potato salad. We then had a nice bowl of ice cream for dessert. There was also live music to enjoy during dinner. Unlimited fresh pineapple pina coladas were only $15 but neither of us wanted one that night. There were a lot of people and it was a little hard finding a table but we did. After dinner all Alan wanted to do was go to bed so we went back to our cabin and didn’t go to the Filipino Crew Show. The show was a presentation of modern and traditional entertainment from Philippines. The late night comedy act was given by Michael Ziegfeld and was strictly for adults only. Wonder if it was risqué. Anyway, since we made it an early evening it gave me time to download all the wonderful pictures I’d taken during the day and transfer them onto CD’s.