Let Sleeping Dogs Lie in the Sand: Magic Southern Caribbean 9/20-9/27

[perfectmatch300]

First of all, happy belated birthday! Glad to hear you had such an awesome dinner.

I LOVED your pictures from the Chihuly sculpture garden. I think his work is amazing. I can't believe that Disney replaced his chandalier on the Magic with the one I saw in another TR pictures. I hope they kept the Chihuly one because they really need to put it back.

Your pictures from St Lucia were beautiful. I did see the listings Disney has for southern cruises in Jan 2016, but that is just not a good time for us to go. I am looking at a couple of different southern itineraries on another line and already making plans to do one of them, maybe both! Yes, I do feel a bit like I'm cheating on Mickey when I sail another line, but what's a girl to do? I always come back to Mickey and I apprecialte him even more when I get back.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I think I'm caught up! Happy belated *cough*27th*cough* birthday! I really loved the sculpture garden. I think I saw one by the same artist in the Indianapolis children's museum a couple of years ago.

St. Lucia looks very cool. Loved the photos of the Pitons in the distance--I can imagine that's quite the sight!

And a drive-through volcano! How cool!

 

[jenny_nichole]

Happy belated Birthday, Jill!

I have to tell you that I'm lovin' your trip report! You provided a bunch of helpful tips on my post asking about things to do in San Juan and the southern ports and just want to say, "thank you"!

I also have to ask, where do you have the "best flan ever!"? Can you share...or do we need to take the food tour to find out? We'll be in San Juan as a stop on our Fantasy tour in January 2015, but I don't know if we'll have time for the food tour. (We're taking the kids to explore the forts and then thought we might check them into club and make a quick trip for some authentic food...maybe this could include flan and the coffee stop that you mentioned too.)

Thanks,
Jennifer

 

[franandaj]

OK caught up now. The birthday meal looked fabulous! Next time we're both in the same city and you need dinner companions, we will be happy to come along!

The sculptures were just beautiful, especially lit up at night.

That tour of St. Lucia looked like fun, but I think six hours might be a little too long for us. Great sights and information though. I like the idea of a drive through volcano. A lot easier than hiking across the crater floor to get to the Calder like we did on ththe big island back in college.

I had my first pirate night and Palo is the way to go. The potstickers aren't bad, I didn't try the crab cake but you seemed to feel the same way. I dont have access to my pictures right now, but I don't remember if steak was a option on our cruise.

I would so love it if my server brought me the souffle in other restaurants. The last cruise he did. Hmmm I was on the Magic too. :

 

[MEK]

I was doing fine but the bus driver/tour guide decided he needed to make stupid jokes the whole drive about throwing up and getting car sick. It got really old, really fast.

I bet those jokes DID get old really fast. How ridiculous!

Those are gorgeous pictures of the ship! Wow - that first one looks the ship takes up the entire canal area. Crazy.

Such beautiful scenery. The prime minister's property is lovely!

 

[MEK]

Giant caterpillar!

Wow - that is one BIG caterpillar. very cool!

Dinner at Animator's looks yummy! My last night on the Dream I got two desserts which was a very big mistake. lol I couldn't move!

 

[jedijill]

What a great cruise TR! I'm thoroughly enjoying reading all about your adventures I agree with you on the last tour that 6 hours was kind of a long time but still interesting. What beautiful views though of the island!

Loved the glass art show - so pretty all lit up at night. I haven't seen a pic of the chandelier on the Magic now so not certain what it looked like before and what it looks like now. But if Disney removed the chandelier that Chihuly designed, I can only hope the new one was half as beautiful.

I think I wished you a Happy Birthday on FB (this week has been a haze), but Happy Birthday just in case I didn't. I'd love to be 27 again.

Sounds like a lovely birthday dinner and a fun Halloween Party. I love the pictures from the exhibit...beautiful.

I'm glad you were able to get your eggs for breakfast. I would have probably slapped the bus driver...but that's me (to me that would be like a pilot saying stupid stuff as you went through turbulence).

Sorry that you didn't enjoy the tour all that much. But what a great looking dinner you came back to. The potstickers and steak look yummy.

Happy belated birthday! Glad you loved your birthday dinner.
Wow, those glass sculptures are incredible!
St Lucia looks lovely, I love the fishing village. Very cool about the drive thru volcano! (But not so cool about the guide who fell in!! ) Sorry to hear you didn't love the tour itself though. 6 hours is a long time.
Your dinner looks pretty yummy, especially the souffle.

OMG... I never thought of that.
I love scrambled eggs and am almost always disappointed with buffet eggs.

Ask the omelet guy.... so simple... so brilliant.



Muesli's okay. But give me a hot breakfast any day.



I would think it got old the very first time he joked about it.



While I'm enjoying all your pics, this one stood out.



Although, due to the inherent heat, by the time you place your order and get to the pick-up window, your ice cream is usually melted.



Usually, when someone tells me to get out at a volcano, I would be inclined to decline.



Gesundheit.



Holy! Talk about having an off day!



Never would've guessed.
Interesting.



Is the donkey providing power to the press or is it just tied there?



Imagine the size of the butterfly!



Perfect!



A little fuzzy? How much of that Grand Marnier souffle did you have???

Thanks for the chapters!

Thanks guys! Sorry for absence...I've been unsuccessfully protesting the start of winter.

Jill in CO

 

[jedijill]

Loving your report, great writing style! Esp the food porn

I missed where the best chicken tenders are and I don't like pasta but your birthday pasta sounded fab!

The chicken tenders are at Pete's Boiler Bites by the pool.

Jill in CO

 

[jedijill]

First of all, happy belated birthday! Glad to hear you had such an awesome dinner.

I LOVED your pictures from the Chihuly sculpture garden. I think his work is amazing. I can't believe that Disney replaced his chandalier on the Magic with the one I saw in another TR pictures. I hope they kept the Chihuly one because they really need to put it back.

Your pictures from St Lucia were beautiful. I did see the listings Disney has for southern cruises in Jan 2016, but that is just not a good time for us to go. I am looking at a couple of different southern itineraries on another line and already making plans to do one of them, maybe both! Yes, I do feel a bit like I'm cheating on Mickey when I sail another line, but what's a girl to do? I always come back to Mickey and I apprecialte him even more when I get back.

I think I'm caught up! Happy belated *cough*27th*cough* birthday! I really loved the sculpture garden. I think I saw one by the same artist in the Indianapolis children's museum a couple of years ago.

St. Lucia looks very cool. Loved the photos of the Pitons in the distance--I can imagine that's quite the sight!

And a drive-through volcano! How cool!

Thanks guys. I've always love Chihuly's work and just read that Denver is buying a piece for permanent display...apparently its going to be right at $1million!

Jill in CO

 

[jedijill]

Happy belated Birthday, Jill!

I have to tell you that I'm lovin' your trip report! You provided a bunch of helpful tips on my post asking about things to do in San Juan and the southern ports and just want to say, "thank you"!

I also have to ask, where do you have the "best flan ever!"? Can you share...or do we need to take the food tour to find out? We'll be in San Juan as a stop on our Fantasy tour in January 2015, but I don't know if we'll have time for the food tour. (We're taking the kids to explore the forts and then thought we might check them into club and make a quick trip for some authentic food...maybe this could include flan and the coffee stop that you mentioned too.)

Thanks,
Jennifer

Thanks Jennifer! The flan was at the Old Harbor Brewery in OSJ. Make sure you stop at Barranchina for awesome pina coladas!

Jill in CO

 

[jedijill]

OK caught up now. The birthday meal looked fabulous! Next time we're both in the same city and you need dinner companions, we will be happy to come along!

The sculptures were just beautiful, especially lit up at night.

That tour of St. Lucia looked like fun, but I think six hours might be a little too long for us. Great sights and information though. I like the idea of a drive through volcano. A lot easier than hiking across the crater floor to get to the Calder like we did on ththe big island back in college.

I had my first pirate night and Palo is the way to go. The potstickers aren't bad, I didn't try the crab cake but you seemed to feel the same way. I dont have access to my pictures right now, but I don't remember if steak was a option on our cruise.

I would so love it if my server brought me the souffle in other restaurants. The last cruise he did. Hmmm I was on the Magic too. :

You guys are awesome dinner companions so I look forward to it!

A lot of where we went in St Lucia wasn't really accessible in my opinion which is a shame since the views are amazing.

Next cruise I will make sure I'm at Palo (or Remy) on pirate night. Glad you feel the same way.

Just wait...there is more souffle!

Jill in CO

 

[jenny_nichole]

Thanks Jennifer! The flan was at the Old Harbor Brewery in OSJ. Make sure you stop at Barranchina for awesome pina coladas!

Jill in CO

Awesome! I hope that we're able to hit both places during our port day this coming January...and again next year when we stay an SJ for a few days prior to our southern cruise! Thanks again!
Jennifer

 

[jedijill]

Awesome! I hope that we're able to hit both places during our port day this coming January...and again next year when we stay an SJ for a few days prior to our southern cruise! Thanks again!
Jennifer

You are welcome! I hope you enjoy OSJ...I really liked it and its on my places to go back to some of these days.

Jill in CO

 

[jedijill]

I apologize for my delay in posting the next update...Life just got in the way...Hopefully I can get a few more updates in and get this report wrapped up so I can go back to catching up on everyone else's reports.

Wednesday, September 24
Grenada

I was really excited about Grenada...I knew very little about the island except that there was an invasion by the US at one time. I had signed up for the 8 hour Around the Isle of Spice tour and after the previous day's tour I as really worried! Thankfully, this turned out to be the best tour of the trip!

On this tour you will:

Board your air-conditioned motorcoach for an approximate 50-minute trip to Dougaldston Estate along a picturesque west coast route.
Spend approximately 30 minutes at this historic estate, home to gardens of spices including cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, for an overview of the long history of Grenada and spice-making.
Reboard your coach and travel approximately 5 minutes to the Gouyave Nutmeg factory to see the seasoning, processing and sorting of nutmegs and mace during an approximate 40-minute visit.
Travel to the north of Sauteurs for a look at a 100-foot drop into the sea at Carib Leap. Enjoy an approximate 15-minute photo stop before heading approximately 25 minutes to the famous River Antoine Rum Distillery.
Visit this 1785 rum factory and explore the steps to making this strong rum during this approximate 30-minute visit. After getting a taste of rum, reboard your coach for a quick 10-minute trip to Belmont Estate for lunch
Enjoy a full local lunch at the Belmont Estate, including a non-alcoholic fresh fruit juice.
Journey approximately 50 minutes to Grand Etang to visit the crater of an extinct volcano for refreshments and possibly see the Mona Monkeys.
Reboard your coach for an approximate 15-minute trip to Annandale Falls, a 30-foot waterfall surrounded by lush vegetation.
Enjoy approximately 20 minutes at the grotto at Annandale Falls before reboarding the coach for the approximate 40-minute trip back to the port.


My group headed out to the busses and was introduced to our guide Rooster (Roostah!) and our driver. Roostah told us a lot of the history of the island as we drove up the coast.





Not far from St George's, we passed the area where the US forces landed on the island (where the rusty boat is anchored).



Roostah told us that the people of Grenada were very grateful for the invasion as it saved the island from Communism. He also told us that Grenada is one of the most integrated nations in the world. He said that they do not refer to anyone by their skin color and there are opportunities for all the residents on the island to be landowners. Unlike many of the other Caribbean islands, the government took over the large plantations and then sold the land to the residents...most of whom were former workers/slaves on the plantations.

Roostah pointed out many of the fruits and spice trees/plants as we drove along the highway. He told us that none of the fruit or spices were native to the Caribbean...they were brought in from Asia after the American Revolution. After the Revolution, Britain blocked the islands from trading with American and the plantation owners needed a food source for their slaves. They ended up importing all the plants in and now they grow in abundance.

We arrived at the Estate and headed into the Cocoa drying house where they had many types of plants displayed on the table. Roostah talked about what each was and how it was grown.





Cocoa drying in the sun. The trays are mounted on steel tracks so the trays can be rolled inside when it rains.





After finishing up, we headed back out to the highway. We saw several locals pulling in fishing nets on the beach. Anyone can fish and if you help out on the crew, you will get an equal portion of the catch. These fish had just been pulled in.





After watching the fishing, we headed to see the nutmeg processing facility. Roostah showed up how they sort and grade nutmeg.





Bags and bags of nutmeg.



Ladies hand sorting nutmeg.



Drying racks.



Roostah!





In this modern age, it was shocking to see that all the sorting and grading is done by hand. There are several of these facilities around the island.

We jumped back in the bus and headed for our next stop. Roostah had the driver stop and he picked these fruits for everyone on the bus. In Grenada, you can freely pick fruit on anyone's tree...I can't remember what these were called but the fruit tasted a lot like a grape with a big pit inside.



We finally arrived a Carib Leap which is the Northern point on the island. Legend has it that the Carib Indians jumped to their death rather than surrender to the French soldiers. This point was at the back of an old cemetery. The cemetery is home to the gentleman that was the first discovered case of sickle cell anemia.

View from Carib Leap.



We continued driving along the north end of the island.





Continued in next post.

 

[jedijill]

Grenada, continued.

We arrived at the River Antoine Rum Distillery which was built in 1785.



The mill was water powered.





Vat of cane juice.



The cane juice is boiled down and moved from vat to vat as it condenses.





It smelled like molasses inside!

Here is where the magic happens!



After touring the distillery, we had the opportunity to try the rum straight or in rum punch. I skipped the straight rum and had some rum punch that was tasty. The rum was potent!

We headed to another estate for lunch. Apparently I didn't take any pictures but they had a large buffet of island foods which were delicious! They had calliou stew, green pea soup, jerk chicken, fish, and several salads. Very good!

After finishing lunch, I wandered down to the chocolate shop and bought some Grenada chocolate bars. After we got everyone rounded up, we drove out to the Grand Etang lake which is an extinct volcano crater. I didn't find it that fascinating. It's a pond.





We stopped at a little roadside shopping area where the vendors tried to sell us stuff. There were supposed to be monkeys in the area but we never saw any.



Roostah and I!



Our last stop was Annandale Falls. Its pretty and there are locals that will jump from the top of the falls for a small token.





After finishing at the Falls, we drove the short way back down to the dock. I was really worried about such a long tour but it was really interesting. After hearing some other experiences, I really think Roostah made all the difference.

After leaving the tour, I headed back to the ship and thanked the lovely DCL CM's with the cold washcloths. The felt heavenly after being in the heat all day! I headed back to my cabin so I could get ready for dinner at Palo.

I waited and headed down to Palo and was there right on time but everyone else was already seated. We had a new server and I like him much better than the one we had for brunch.

We started with the antipasto plate. I could eat my weight in the prosciutto and parmesean.



Bread



The calamari at Palo is my favorite anywhere.



I got a small portion of the gorganzola gnocchi.



And some of the chianti braised beef tortellini.



This is the lemon sorbet palette cleanser.



The Palo tenderloin. Cooked perfectly!



We all indicated that we wanted the Palo souffle.



The only part of the service that annoyed me was that the server didn't bring or offer us any of the other desserts on the menu. I know I sound like a piggy but I like having a choice and I know between the 5 of us, we could have split one or two other choices just to try them. Oh well, a very small annoyance.

After dinner was over, I think I rolled back to my room to pass out from my food coma!

I really loved Grenada and it is on my list of places I would go back to.

Jill in CO

 

[jedijill]

Thursday, September 25
Barbados or Rhianna and Oprah's House

I was looking forward to Barbados. I had a former coworker that was from Barbados and he always talked about how beautiful it was. I had tours booked for today. The first was a tour of the Agapey chocolate factory that I had heard about from someone on my cruise FB page. The second tour was in the afternoon to go see the monkeys.

I signed up for the chocolate tour online but found that I had the last spot. My friends Deb and her daughter Kayla wanted to go to so I emailed Agapey and they said they reserved a couple of slots just for cases like mine so we were all able to go! The tour cost $18pp. The factory is within walking distance of the pier in the industrial area. We were able to find it without much issue although there are no street signs in the area!

I was not able to take pictures here. The chocolate factory is a very small factory run by a gentleman from Canada who no longer wanted to work for someone else and wanted to live in paradise. So he gave up his chemical engineering job and moved to Barbados! He uses cocoa beans and sugar from Grenada and makes his artisan chocolate. He showed us all the equipment he uses from the roaster to the grinders and mixers. He explained the chocolate making process. We tasted each ingredient and then tasted each kind of chocolate he produces. The whole process was fascinating and you could really taste each individual ingredient. When the tour was over, we were able to purchases chocolate bars to take home. I have a stash that I am currently hoarding! It pairs quite well with red wine.

After the tour, we agreed to split a cab back to the pier with the other family on the tour with us. They had their older parents and as hot as it was, we didn't really want to walk back.

Once back onboard, we dropped our purchases in the cabin. I grabbed some chicken fingers and went down to meet my tour group for the Monkey tour. It looked like it was going to rain so Disney handed out brand new ponchos to everyone on the tour.

Depart the Bridgetown Port and travel northward through the middle of the island to the Highland Adventure Centre, located more than 1,000 feet above sea level. Enjoy a cool drink while admiring the spectacular scenery.
Descend the rugged hills of the Scotland District and onto the Wildlife Reserve for the Green Monkey Experience. Originally founded as a sanctuary for African green monkeys, the reserve is now home to other animals as well, including deer, tortoises, and hares. All animals (except snakes and parrots) are free to roam the reserve. Wander along the tree-lined paths and see how many creatures you can spot amid the leafy branches. Note: Monkey sightings at the reserve, while common, cannot be guaranteed.
After your approximate 60-minute visit, the drive continues through historic Holetown, where the first settlers landed in 1627. Travel through the bustling district known as the "Gold Coast" with its many hotels, restaurants and private residences. Be sure to bring your camera, as there are many excellent photo opportunities along the way!
Make your way back to the pier.

I will say it now. This was the worst tour I have ever been on. It was terrible!

We headed out to big busses and drove up to this overlook/tourist trap where we were given a soda, water, or rum punch.





The view was ok but we stayed here for over an hour and there was nothing to do. Our guide was also not good. I know I had been spoiled by Roostah the previous day but she was just not personable.

We finally headed to the wildlife reserve where the monkeys lived. It had started raining by then and the wildlife preserve was basically a small park area with really uneven brick paths underneath the trees. There were turtles everywhere! Everything was very chaotic. Our guide yelled at us to follow her but everyone was confused. She started pushing us towards the reptile house even though we heard that the monkey feeding was taking place elsewhere. She got really mad when we wouldn't follow her through the reptile house.





There were little deer around too.



Best part of the tour? Two turtles making sweet, sweet love.



Peacocks


We finally found the monkeys hanging around the food. They would go run over grab the food and then jump back in the trees above your head. It was really hard to get around as the food was in one location and all the turtles, deer, birds, and monkeys were trying to get it as well as all the people on the tour as well as a million little kids. It was hard to get around on the slippery bricks while avoiding stepping in poop or getting trampled by other people.



Feeding trough











I had enough so I headed back up to the front gate area and got my free drink. After a long time, we finally loaded back on the busses and went back to the pier. A lot of the drive back was by hotels and condos. The guide spent the whole time talking about Rhianna and Oprah. I really don't think I got a good idea of Barbados. Someone asked about gay marriage in Barbados and the the guide almost blew a gasket. Apparently she is not for it.

We finally got back to the ship and I did not tip the guide. She looked kind of peeved but I didn't really care! Deb and I want to guest services to complain about the tour. The CM gave us a form to fill out with our experiences. I filled it out and dropped it off before dinner.

Dinner was the Captain's Gala and we were in Luminere's.

Sweet corn, asian pear, and jicama slaw



Lobster Tail



Pork tenderloin



Banana Creme Brulee



I did not care for the lobster. It was really tough. The creme brulee was one of the nastiest things I have ever put in my mouth. It was truly awful.

I think I skipped out of dinner early to go play bingo. (I might have my days mixed up! Cynthia, correct me if I'm wrong!) On my way, I ran into Cynthia and Jeff and we chatted for a bit. They were headed to change and to go to Palo. I missed bingo and as Cynthia was leaving my tablemates showed up with 4 Grand Marnier souffles! The server brought more tonight! I wasn't hungry to we went up to the pool deck and found our other tablemate in the hottub and gave them to her. She ate one of them while in the hot tub! After that I headed to my cabin for the night.

I'm sure Barbados is lovely but I did not enjoy my afternoon. Hopefully I can go back someday and see another side of the island.

Jill in CO

 

[jedijill]

Friday, September 26
St Kitts

We were scheduled to arrive in St Kitts until around lunchtime. It was a rainy day and I was glad I had another massage booked at the spa. The massage was wonderful and just what I needed after a long week of go, go, go!

After lunch I met my tour group for the Caribbean Cooks tour. I can't find the official description now but basically we were taken to a plantation house where a chef would demonstrate how to make a variety of local dishes and then we would all get to eat! We loaded up on small busses and headed to a restored plantation house. On the way we passed 3 medical schools and a vet school. Apparently these schools are the crux of the St Kitts economy!

The day was still really rainy and dreary. I'm sure the view would have been incredible on a nice day. We toured the house before going out to the kitchen where the demo was held.

On a clear day, you can see Nevis.










The pond is in the shape of St Kitts and Nevis.



Cooking Demo area



The chef was an expat from the UK that has lived in Nevis for 25 years. She was about to retire from the cooking demos. Some of her sauces were sold in the gift shop. She talked about the dishes she was making and showed how to make them. As they were cooking we were able to go walk around the gardens.

We were warned not to touch the worm as it was poisonous.


Lunch!



I can't find my recipes right now but we had a jerked pork, rice and peas, green banana salad, creole fish, and some plantains. It was all very good. We had a coconut bread pudding for dessert which was amazing!

After we finished lunch we headed back to the ship. The tour was a nice change of pace from the other tours I did over the week. The only issues was that it was 3pm or so by the time we ate so I wasn't hungry for dinner.

I went back to the cabin and started the sad process of packing up.

Dinner tonight was at Animator's for the show dinner. The appetizer plate is set.



Baked Potato Soup (so much better than the popcorn crap on the Dream/Fantasy!)



Beef Wellington with the Wellington removed



Some of our drawings.



Mine is the 3rd from the Left.



Baked Alaska for dessert. I wish they still flambe it.



The dessert trio



MORE SOUFFLES!



By this point, I was over the souffles. It was really nice of the server but I was done!

Our table and serving team.





After dinner we went to see Dreams which always makes me cry. After the show, we went and played Magic Quest which was hysterical. After Magic Quest was over I went back to the cabin and then decided to go see Guardians of the Galaxy. Cynthia said she and Jeff were planning on seeing it so I figured it was my last chance to catch up. I didn't see Cynthia and Jeff but I enjoyed the movie. Believe it or not, it was my first movie in 7 cruises! As I headed back to my cabin, I saw the rehearsals for the storytelling at the Pumpkin Tree for the next Halloween cruise. Staff was starting to decorate for Halloween as well. I went to bed sad that it was the final night of the cruise.

Jill in CO

 

[jedijill]

Saturday, September 27
San Juan to Home

I woke up early so I could meet my friends for the saddest last breakfast. Since we had early dining (another reason never to eat early!) we had to be a breakfast at like 6:30. Breakfast wasn't as terrible as I remember on cruises past and it was nice to see everyone one last time. We cleared out and hung out waiting to get off the ship. I had a later flight but had DCL transfer booked to the airport. My friends were getting a dayroom at the San Juan airport hotel. We got off the ship at about 9ish (they were really trying to get everyone off as soon as possible!). I took a bus to the airport and was able to check my bags at SW. I still had about 3.5 hours to my flight so I called my friends and were able to go crash in their dayroom. It was a comfortable place to hang out and had free internet! I said my goodbyes when it was time to head to the gate. It was so nice to see old friends and make new ones as well.

I was going to grab lunch on the way to carry on but the lines at the fast food places were huge! I should have left the room earlier but I figured I could grab something in Tampa. The flight was full leaving San Juan and we had an uneventful flight to Tampa. When I got to Tampa, I saw my flight was delayed so I grabbed some dinner and checked email. Turned out that the day before, the idiot in Chicago tried to burn down the FAA building and flights were still delayed and/or cancelled. We were delayed a couple of hours. While I was checking messages, I got a text from my mom saying she and my dad were in Colorado and wanted me to drive up and see them the next day. That was certainly a surprise!

We finally boarded the plane and got out of Tampa before the huge thunderstorm hit. I landed in Denver and finally got home close to midnight. The next morning I went and picked up my dog from my friends and took her to the vet to get her stitches out. The vet told me that the pathology report came back and the tumor was low grade and that the surgery was all my dog needed! It was awesome news to come home too!

As soon as we were done at the vet, I loaded up and drove the 1 1/2 hours up to meet my parents for lunch in Lyons, CO. Lyons was hit hard last fall with the big Colorado floods so it was interesting to see how they were recovering. After lunch, we drove Estes Park where my parents were staying in their new to them 5th wheel camper. I got the grand tour and we caught up. About 5pm it started pouring and I needed to get back to Denver. Luckily the rain stopped pretty much as soon as I got out of town. About 5 miles outside of Lyons traffic came to a complete halt. It was stop and go for another 3miles and 45 minutes. I figured there must have been an accident. I was wrong. When I got closer to town I saw tons of cars parked on the side of the road. A pair of bear cubs were playing on the river bank! Sadly, I couldn't get a picture but it was the first wild bears I have seen in Colorado!

After getting past the bear trap rotfl2 I made good time back home. I ended up not having the day to recover and to do laundry that I had planned to do but it was a nice surprise to see my folks. My dog was very happy to see me!

Jill in CO

 

[PrincessInOz]

Jill - Thank you for all your updates. I've really enjoyed this TR of yours around the Caribbean Islands.

Except for the tour in Barbados, the rest of them looked very informative and well-rounded. Shame that you had a bad experience in Barbados. Perhaps next time you'll have a better tour guide.

The food looks delicious. I'm now craving souffles and tenderloin! Did you remove the Wellington from the Beef Wellington or was that how it was served?

Thanks for sharing.

So glad that your dog had a low grade tumor and that there is nothing else to worry about. Hope she's all better now.

 

[MEK]

Beautiful!

I am running short on time because I am trying to read BEFORE work, which is always a big mistake.

Great updates. The Grenada tour sounds perfect. So glad you enjoyed it. But that distillery looks - well, for lack of a better word - antiquated. At first I thought it was an abandoned building. Doesn't matter, though, if the product is good!!!!

Lovely views on the Grenada tour.

Your Palo dinner looks delish.

So sorry the Barbados tour was terrible. I do agree that a good guide makes all the difference. A guide needs to have a personality. I didn't realize that you could fill out a form if you didn't like a tour.

I hope you get a chance to go back at some point. Maybe another cruise?

That picture of the turtles and the monkeys together is crazy!

I don't have time to read your last update, so I'll be back for that.

One question - How can a creme brûlée turn out SO bad?????