CANARIES TO THE CARIBBEAN

SANTA CRUZ AND SANTA CRUZ:  Our final two days on the European side were spent at Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Santa Cruz de la Palma.  Both turned out to be quite beautiful cities set on the waterfront with huge rocky cliffs in the background.  On Tenerife we did a hop-on-hop-off whereas on La Palma we mostly shopped.  There were lots of bargains; for example, I bought a pair of leather walking shoes for 16 Euros (tossed my old ones to save weight).

CROSSING THE ATLANTIC:  We were somewhat concerned about crossing in late November.  However, our route was well south of the normal sea lanes and the weather was warm and sunny and the seas calm all the way across.

Five days at sea went by surprisingly quickly.  We attended cooking demonstrations, enrichment and other lectures, and spent time  reading on our balcony, by the pool, or in the library.  We did another Captain's cocktail party

Count Champagne glasses on the table--only Betty was drinking champagne.

One nice thing about crossing East to West is that the clock goes back almost every night.  Twenty-five hour days really suit one's biological clock.

We continue to enjoy ourselves, making friends with the staff, particularly the sommeliers.  Yesterday we met a woman from Korea who is the first female Korean sommelier.  After a career as a airline steward she studied for four years in France in order to get her qualifications.  At meals the sommelier simultaneously brings us a white wine (or sparkling) and a red wine to breathe while we drink the white.  Our glass is never allowed to get completely empty.

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES:  So far there have been three passengers taken off the ship.  The most recent incident was a woman falling and breaking her pelvis while in the casino.  As we were several hundred miles to sea, she was evacuated by a hovering helicopter lowering a basket-type device.  The closest land was Mauritania so it is hard to say where she went.  I hope her medical insurance is up-to-date. 

One of the evacutated passengers died after being flown back to the U.S.  I guess some of this is to be expected given the average age of those of us who cruise.

MARTINIQUE:  Our first stop in the Caribbean was at Fort le France.  Hot!  At least too hot for these cold weather Nova Scotians.

ANTIGUA:  Because of the terrible hurricanes this past fall, several ports in the Caribbean are no longer available to cruiseships.  Thus, the other ports are extremely busy.  We were only one of five large cruiseships that simultaneously docked at St. John's Antigua.  St. John's is a small place, which seems to be little more than an extended slum with a collection of jewellry stores at the cruise dock.

It was mildly entertaining to participate in a quasi dance where tourists fall all over one another.  With any luck I shall not have to return to this particular island.

ST. KITTS:  Our last stop prior to getting off in Miami was St. Kitts.  This lovely island is very different than Antigua; lovely buildings, beautiful scenery, etc.  We did a 6 hour tour along with 11 other people.  Our guide was great, reciting poetry, etc.  After touring the island we had lunch at a beach club.

Perhaps, however, the most exciting part of the day was getting off the ship.  Like Antigua there were too many cruise ships in port and our ship did not have a reservation for a berth at the pier.  Thus, we were tendered to shore.  As we had a tour to catch we got on the first tender boat which when approaching the pier hit an uncharted rock.  No one was hurt but we were tossed around a bit.  Perhaps we will be one life-boat short crossing to Miami.  At least the ship is not completely full.

PICTURES:  I am showing a few pictures of eating places are from around the ship.  The first two are of breakfast in the Grand Dining Room.  Then I am showing pictures of Reg Ginger, Polo Grill and Toscana (all specialty restaurants).  These last three pictures were taken during the day when the restaurants were closed.