ISLANDS AND GOOD WEATHER

ST. LUCIA:  On Sunday we docked at Castries, St. Lucia.  The tour we had booked seemed a bit above Betty's mobility, so she stayed on board and I headed out for a 5 and 1/2 hour tour.  I climbed in the back of an extended Jeep along with 13 others.  We drove for over two hours across the island.  Fortunately there were seatbelts or we would all have been thrown out at any of the sharp curves. 

The island had some natural beauty, but also lots of garbage, abandoned cars and rather poor housing. 

We transferred to a catamaran and were joined by 50 or 60 others.  After a short swimming stop we viewed the Piton Mtns and then we sailed back to the ship. 

Rock music was played at ear-shattering volume, and the two-hour sail seemed like two weeks.  There were some passengers, however, who seemed to enjoy the ear-damaging decibels, so perhaps I am two much of a curmudgeon. 

GRENADA:  Monday we docked at St. George's and I was surprised how different Grenada was than St. Lucia. 

 I did a walking tour of the city and found it spotlessly clean.  A government travel guide took me to see Halifax street, since I was from Nova Scotia.  I bought some spices from a 100 year-old woman working in the market.

EATING:  We continue to enjoy the wonderful food; definitely a step-up from Viking.  The picture was taken at Red Ginger, the onboard Asian restaurant. 

I am not a big Asian food fan, but the Lobster Pad Thai was a sensation.  Most nights we share a table with American guests.  The first night I almost fled when I was welcomed as someone from the 51st state; then I realized that a joke was being made.  Everyone, so far, is strongly anti-Trump and I hope that continues.  Perhaps Oceania cruises are a little too sophisticated for Republicans.    

PLUMA IBERICO DE BELLOTA:    On Tuesday night we ate at the Polo Grill, one of the specialty restaurants on board.  It is a very nice steak and lobster place.  To my astonishment the menu included a special "Pluma Iberico de Bellota", a delicacy of which I have only read.  It requires a bit of an explanation.

First, there is a very special breed of long-legged pigs in Spain called Iberico.  The best of these pigs come from Bellota.  The pigs are not caged but allowed to roam freely (walking up to 8 miles per day) and are fed exclusively on a diet of acorns.  I have had Iberico ham on a few occasions and it is the best ham in the world.

Pluma is a feather shaped fresh cut of steak that comes from the shoulder of the pig.  There are only two small pieces of pluma (totaling about one pound of meat) on each Iberico pig.  The original name for this cut was called "Butcher's Secret" because the butchers never sold the meat, instead saving it for their own personal consumption.   

  

Pluma Iberico is very expensive and is definitely not found in Sobey's or Atlantic Superstore.  It is possible to order this meat from Amazon.com (but not Amazon.ca).  They sell it in 2 oz. portions ($ 135.00 per pound.)

I regret to inform those of you who live in Antigonish, that Pluma Iberico is NOT being planned for the next dinner party at 9 Wedgewood Drive.