The call from room service with our breakfast awoke us for immigration. Everyone grabbed thier ID's and key cards and headed down to the theatre to meet these immigration folks. I don't know- maybe I have watched too much TV or something but I admit to being a little uneasy about the whole thing. I don't know what I expected. Maybe to hear that for some unknown mix up I was not really a citizen of the US. Or maybe not paying that traffic ticket in 1979 had finally caught up with me and they were going to throw me in cuffs and set me off to some foreign jail that deals with such scofflaws! But I needn't have worried or obsessed- it was as painless as could be- one quick glance at my ID and I was free to set foot on lovely VI soil for the day! Yahoo!
So up top for a big breakfast at topsiders. We had decided on this big meal rather then packing lunches again since our day at this port was so short.
Back to the room for the mandatory slathering of sunscreen and sea lice protection. A quick note about sea lice- it was not much of an issue- I am not sure if this is because we used the sea lice protection goop or not. But DD and I did end the trip with a few little itchy bites of unknown origin. Mostly in the crooks of our elbows and knees. While I can't be certain that these were from the infamous sea lice or not they were annoying and VERY itchy! I do think that in the future I would use the goop though- just to avoid a more annoying outbreak if at all possible. Please note that the goop does sting your eyes fiercely though- be sure to wash hands thouroughly with soap and water-twice- after applying!
We got off the ship and headed to the information booth. Took some pictures under those huge mardi gras style hats that they have mounted on the poles-that was fun! All us girls took a turn-DS refused though! We were determined to get in some snorkeling this day. We had heard that Coki Beach by Coral World was the place to go and the nice lady at the booth confirmed this for us. So it was into the taxi with some other folks travelling in the same direction.
What a lovely island! So clean and pleasant. The drive was interesting- driving on an island is always slightly unsettling to me- the narrow roads scare me! And this was no exception! It was quite hilly terrain and more then once we found our selves looking over the edge of a cliff! Yikes! Kids were mesmerized by the beautiful flowers and birds that we saw!
We arrived at the beach in record time I think- thanks to another assertive and determined driver! This was a nice spot. We were not at all hassled to purchase things as we had been at Saint Martin. The only people to approach us was the snorkel equipment people. Since we had our own stuff they left us alone. It was a disappointment for snorkeling though. We saw few fish. Perhaps we had been spoiled by the abundance of sea life in Bermuda but this was different. Less colorful. But we did enjoy this day at the beach. We got quite a bit of color here and enjoyed a frozen refreshment or two! They also had a snack bar here- which in my kids eyes made it a fine place. We had a snack at the tables up top. While eating we were approached by an iguana. He (or she!) was about two feet long. Not giant- but big enough! They remind me of dinasours! It was obvious that he was quite accustomed to the tourist traffic and hung out at the food tables waiting for people to share thier goodies with him! He hung around and I kept telling kids not to trust him enough to actually take the food from thier hands! After all I was not at all certain that iguanas had good enough eye sight to distinguish between the chicken finger and thier finger! We also saw some smaller lizards hanging around and a lot of birds. The place was also abloom with flowers! Red, yellow, orange and the most vIbrant pink! Like a Disney created palette!
We got a taxi back to the ship and once again engaged the driver in a bit of conversation regarding island politics. He didn't mind at all since it turned out that he was a mayoral candidate in the upcoming election. He was intent on representing the drivers in a system that he stated was corrupt and full of bribery. Apparently there were about two dozen people running for the spot! I wonder why in our country we sometimes have so many uncontested political races in local elections. On both these islands we found people who were vocal and active in local politics.
Before we got to the ship we spotted a shopping area and asked to be let out here. We found much of the same stuff as at Saint Martin and also found the hawkers equally open to bartering. I was surprised that my DD who always negotiates EVERYTHING with me from bedtime to internet time, felt so uncomfortable bartering with these folks! She just either payed what they asked the first time or walked away! My life with her should be so easy! Ds on the other hand enjoyed the process so much that he would do it even if he had no intention of buying the item in the first place! He purchased a nice silver charm, an anchor, to replace the one he had lost back home. He got a very good deal on it of course!
I bought a rain stick! I have wanted one of these for years. I got it for only five dollars thanks to son's bartering talents- I (like my DD) would probably have paid the twenty dollar opening price but DS took over and talked the guy down! It has a corny sort of sunset picture painted on it but I have big plans to change that. At least I've got the stick itself! Then dear sis asked a question I had given no thought to- how am I going to get it home?? Hmmmm- it is quite large-I wonder! Ds got himself a carved walking stick so that might be a challenge to transport as well. DD bought her boyfriend a small steel drum- I know he'll love it! Probably drive his Mom mad!
Back on board we showered- a shower is never more appreciated then when it it is to wash off a days worth of salt and sunscreen. It was long and sweet and refreshing. Refreshing enough to encourage me to get off the ship and spend the last two hours in port checking out the shops near the boat. They were more like the stores at home and not at all open to bartering but it was still fun to window shop. Liquor was cheap here! I got four bottles to take home. Two of the yummy dark rum that I developed a taste for in Bermuda, a bottle of Nassau Royale that I had tasted two decades ago in Florida and had never been able to find since and a bottle of the local drink called Guavaberry. That should be interesting but since you are not allowed to get off with any unopened bottles I'll have to wait till we get home to try it! Ahhh- sweet anticipation!
Got back on the ship as Janet of Passporters fame was getting off- I asked if she was going in the wrong direction and she told me that she was just taking a few more pictures! I have seen her take a lot of pics this week! Hope she makes it back on board in time for sail away!
Since we had not eaten in hours- funny how eating three meals a day grows on you! I headed up top for a chicken finger or two. Also tried a taco- one of my favorite foods- but these were a disappointment. I'll stick with the crunchy, golden chicken fingers and fries from now on!
A quick run through at Shutters- boy it is going to be hard to choose photos at the end of thiS week! Ran into a few Dis board members who reported having wonderful days at Saint Thomas too! It is fun to be able to see familar faces on a ship full of strangers. I am glad I wore my lime green mickey head on my lanyard the whole trip. More then once someone approached and said they knew what it was about. I even got to meet Lodge Lady this way> She was busy travelling with a large family grouo and so was unable to attend any of the meets we had set up but she saw my MM head one day on the elevator and asked me who I was! Since it had my name on it I was also called by name a number of times by crew - it always took me by surprise!
Off to dinner- another yummy meal. By this time DD had grown accustomed to the Diva treatment of Sylvester and Joel and decided to order completly off the menu! They handled it gracefully and without a hitch. Even went out of the restaurant to get her something that she requested! This is a child that had better practice her singing skills if she wants to live in this manner!
Was this the night that my mouth met the most scrumptious thing ever to land there? I am talking about the Molten Lava Chocolate Cake!! Oh my goodness. Like a taste of heaven for my taste buds! An incredibly moist, small bundt cake with chocolate pudding and fudge and then overflowing with hot fudge. While I am not as real a chocaholic as others I must admit that this could find me a new addiction! This could be habit forming! I let each morsel dissolve on my tongue and savoured every bite. I know I was making most embarrassing cooing noises while I ate it. I thought about ordering another- but you know what they say about too much of a good thing! "Too much of a good thing is just too much of a good thing" Now I wish I had gone for it! But I will never forget my first encounter with this dessert delight. Anyone got an idea on where to get the recipe?
Decided to go to the family dance with DD13- of course once there she decided it would be too embarrassing to dance with the mother so we watched. After the dance room turned into adults only my dearest sis and I did get up to dance together. It was fun! I was teaching her the love shack dance that I had wanted to do with the DD when one of the crew members spotted us and got us on stage to teach the whole room! It was fun and I kept thinking "if only DD could see me now!" She would have been mortified but it was a blast!
We caught the last few songs of Dueling Pianos- why is it we never get to see the whole show? They are funny guys! A word of warning though if you happen to attend- do not leave early as they will poke merciless fun at you if you walk out early!
Back to the room and into pajamas to dream of our last full glorious day at sea. This was the first time that it occured to me that our trip was winding down. But we still had the rain forest to look forward to tommorrow as well as the formal dining night. Seeing DS in a tux was going to be special! We ordered no breakfast wake up this night- we would sleep in till we awoke on our own, to enjoy another day of relaxation and dining temptation. I think I dreamed of lobster tails and caviar.
So up top for a big breakfast at topsiders. We had decided on this big meal rather then packing lunches again since our day at this port was so short.
Back to the room for the mandatory slathering of sunscreen and sea lice protection. A quick note about sea lice- it was not much of an issue- I am not sure if this is because we used the sea lice protection goop or not. But DD and I did end the trip with a few little itchy bites of unknown origin. Mostly in the crooks of our elbows and knees. While I can't be certain that these were from the infamous sea lice or not they were annoying and VERY itchy! I do think that in the future I would use the goop though- just to avoid a more annoying outbreak if at all possible. Please note that the goop does sting your eyes fiercely though- be sure to wash hands thouroughly with soap and water-twice- after applying!
We got off the ship and headed to the information booth. Took some pictures under those huge mardi gras style hats that they have mounted on the poles-that was fun! All us girls took a turn-DS refused though! We were determined to get in some snorkeling this day. We had heard that Coki Beach by Coral World was the place to go and the nice lady at the booth confirmed this for us. So it was into the taxi with some other folks travelling in the same direction.
What a lovely island! So clean and pleasant. The drive was interesting- driving on an island is always slightly unsettling to me- the narrow roads scare me! And this was no exception! It was quite hilly terrain and more then once we found our selves looking over the edge of a cliff! Yikes! Kids were mesmerized by the beautiful flowers and birds that we saw!
We arrived at the beach in record time I think- thanks to another assertive and determined driver! This was a nice spot. We were not at all hassled to purchase things as we had been at Saint Martin. The only people to approach us was the snorkel equipment people. Since we had our own stuff they left us alone. It was a disappointment for snorkeling though. We saw few fish. Perhaps we had been spoiled by the abundance of sea life in Bermuda but this was different. Less colorful. But we did enjoy this day at the beach. We got quite a bit of color here and enjoyed a frozen refreshment or two! They also had a snack bar here- which in my kids eyes made it a fine place. We had a snack at the tables up top. While eating we were approached by an iguana. He (or she!) was about two feet long. Not giant- but big enough! They remind me of dinasours! It was obvious that he was quite accustomed to the tourist traffic and hung out at the food tables waiting for people to share thier goodies with him! He hung around and I kept telling kids not to trust him enough to actually take the food from thier hands! After all I was not at all certain that iguanas had good enough eye sight to distinguish between the chicken finger and thier finger! We also saw some smaller lizards hanging around and a lot of birds. The place was also abloom with flowers! Red, yellow, orange and the most vIbrant pink! Like a Disney created palette!
We got a taxi back to the ship and once again engaged the driver in a bit of conversation regarding island politics. He didn't mind at all since it turned out that he was a mayoral candidate in the upcoming election. He was intent on representing the drivers in a system that he stated was corrupt and full of bribery. Apparently there were about two dozen people running for the spot! I wonder why in our country we sometimes have so many uncontested political races in local elections. On both these islands we found people who were vocal and active in local politics.
Before we got to the ship we spotted a shopping area and asked to be let out here. We found much of the same stuff as at Saint Martin and also found the hawkers equally open to bartering. I was surprised that my DD who always negotiates EVERYTHING with me from bedtime to internet time, felt so uncomfortable bartering with these folks! She just either payed what they asked the first time or walked away! My life with her should be so easy! Ds on the other hand enjoyed the process so much that he would do it even if he had no intention of buying the item in the first place! He purchased a nice silver charm, an anchor, to replace the one he had lost back home. He got a very good deal on it of course!
I bought a rain stick! I have wanted one of these for years. I got it for only five dollars thanks to son's bartering talents- I (like my DD) would probably have paid the twenty dollar opening price but DS took over and talked the guy down! It has a corny sort of sunset picture painted on it but I have big plans to change that. At least I've got the stick itself! Then dear sis asked a question I had given no thought to- how am I going to get it home?? Hmmmm- it is quite large-I wonder! Ds got himself a carved walking stick so that might be a challenge to transport as well. DD bought her boyfriend a small steel drum- I know he'll love it! Probably drive his Mom mad!
Back on board we showered- a shower is never more appreciated then when it it is to wash off a days worth of salt and sunscreen. It was long and sweet and refreshing. Refreshing enough to encourage me to get off the ship and spend the last two hours in port checking out the shops near the boat. They were more like the stores at home and not at all open to bartering but it was still fun to window shop. Liquor was cheap here! I got four bottles to take home. Two of the yummy dark rum that I developed a taste for in Bermuda, a bottle of Nassau Royale that I had tasted two decades ago in Florida and had never been able to find since and a bottle of the local drink called Guavaberry. That should be interesting but since you are not allowed to get off with any unopened bottles I'll have to wait till we get home to try it! Ahhh- sweet anticipation!
Got back on the ship as Janet of Passporters fame was getting off- I asked if she was going in the wrong direction and she told me that she was just taking a few more pictures! I have seen her take a lot of pics this week! Hope she makes it back on board in time for sail away!
Since we had not eaten in hours- funny how eating three meals a day grows on you! I headed up top for a chicken finger or two. Also tried a taco- one of my favorite foods- but these were a disappointment. I'll stick with the crunchy, golden chicken fingers and fries from now on!
A quick run through at Shutters- boy it is going to be hard to choose photos at the end of thiS week! Ran into a few Dis board members who reported having wonderful days at Saint Thomas too! It is fun to be able to see familar faces on a ship full of strangers. I am glad I wore my lime green mickey head on my lanyard the whole trip. More then once someone approached and said they knew what it was about. I even got to meet Lodge Lady this way> She was busy travelling with a large family grouo and so was unable to attend any of the meets we had set up but she saw my MM head one day on the elevator and asked me who I was! Since it had my name on it I was also called by name a number of times by crew - it always took me by surprise!
Off to dinner- another yummy meal. By this time DD had grown accustomed to the Diva treatment of Sylvester and Joel and decided to order completly off the menu! They handled it gracefully and without a hitch. Even went out of the restaurant to get her something that she requested! This is a child that had better practice her singing skills if she wants to live in this manner!
Was this the night that my mouth met the most scrumptious thing ever to land there? I am talking about the Molten Lava Chocolate Cake!! Oh my goodness. Like a taste of heaven for my taste buds! An incredibly moist, small bundt cake with chocolate pudding and fudge and then overflowing with hot fudge. While I am not as real a chocaholic as others I must admit that this could find me a new addiction! This could be habit forming! I let each morsel dissolve on my tongue and savoured every bite. I know I was making most embarrassing cooing noises while I ate it. I thought about ordering another- but you know what they say about too much of a good thing! "Too much of a good thing is just too much of a good thing" Now I wish I had gone for it! But I will never forget my first encounter with this dessert delight. Anyone got an idea on where to get the recipe?
Decided to go to the family dance with DD13- of course once there she decided it would be too embarrassing to dance with the mother so we watched. After the dance room turned into adults only my dearest sis and I did get up to dance together. It was fun! I was teaching her the love shack dance that I had wanted to do with the DD when one of the crew members spotted us and got us on stage to teach the whole room! It was fun and I kept thinking "if only DD could see me now!" She would have been mortified but it was a blast!
We caught the last few songs of Dueling Pianos- why is it we never get to see the whole show? They are funny guys! A word of warning though if you happen to attend- do not leave early as they will poke merciless fun at you if you walk out early!
Back to the room and into pajamas to dream of our last full glorious day at sea. This was the first time that it occured to me that our trip was winding down. But we still had the rain forest to look forward to tommorrow as well as the formal dining night. Seeing DS in a tux was going to be special! We ordered no breakfast wake up this night- we would sleep in till we awoke on our own, to enjoy another day of relaxation and dining temptation. I think I dreamed of lobster tails and caviar.
