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Coki Beach is not as long as some of the beaches we would later visit on other islands, but it was beautiful and very rich in marine life. Because of the little aquarium (Coral World Ocean Park) just down the road, the fish Read more…
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What is your favorite type of neighborhood? For me, it often depends on my mood. Some days I want a home by the sea. Other days, I would prefer a quiet tree lined street. I often want to be near an urban center. (I like the amenities and useful mass transportation.) Old San Juan offers all of this with a huge dose of history thrown in.
As impressed as I was by the governor’s mansion, the little “caleta” running up the hill from the gate through the fortress wall at the Read more…
Jallim Eudovic is the son of the founder of Eudovic’s Art Studio, Vincent Joseph Eudovic. At their studio, high above the city of Castries, St. Lucia, they create wood carvings that are both beautiful and tied to the island’s culture. Yesterday, you heard one of the studio hostesses explain how the art we bought is tied to the culture through the items it depicts which represent various aspects of St. Lucia life. After the break, you can see a video of the artist carving his initials into the piece we bought. We had it shipped home, so we can’t wait to hold it in our hands again ourselves!
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There can be little doubt that one reason we went for Jallim’s art was because of the gallery’s saleswoman. Melinda explained the intimate tie between his carving and St. Lucia culture. Already taken with the island, we were pleased to find a work of art that would do more than remind us of pretty scenery, but also the heart of St. Lucia’s people. In the video following the break, you can hear Melinda explain this art for yourself. Read more…
A great thing about taking a cruise line excursion on the last day is that you get off the ship first. We set our luggage out before 11 pm the night before. We rose early to eat breakfast at the Windjammer for the last time and watched San Juan turn from city lights at night to daylight from our seat by the window. By 8:30 we were on our bus and headed for the rain forest in Puerto Rico’s interior.
Our bus driver wore a Santa hat and had his bus decorated for every major holiday on the calendar. For example, the brim of his Santa hat had plastic Easter eggs hanging from it. He Read more…
Some of you may think of me as rigid. Let me say that we have quickly adapted to sleeping until adventure bids us rise; having an omelet, pastries, and fruit waiting for us at breakfast; having our room cleaned and bed made then turned down for the evening, two people to serve our dinner, which was of course prepared by a master chef and staff; all capped by a seaweed wrap and full body massage on our last full day.
Before dinner, the night after St. Martin, there was a reception for the Crown & Anchor Society. Free champagne (and supposedly hors d’oeuvres but Read more…
I was excited to get off the ship and started across the island. I wanted to visit Crane Beach, which was reputed to have some gentle surf and an awesome restaurant. Sadly, we found that it would cost $40 each way to ride the taxi, which was more than I was comfortable paying. (Judging from the expression on Joy’s face, she felt the same way.) The driver sent us outside the gate to the cheaper cabs, but they quoted the same price. I agreed with a driver’s suggestion to go to Payne Bay and swim with the sea turtles but given that Joy didn’t have her camera and snorkel Read more…
For years now, Joy and I have spent a significant part of our vacation energy in pursuit of works of art that will remind us of where we’ve been. We have been very fortunate in finding some wonderful works of art. I am aware that many collect art with regard to its monetary value. Our collection, on the other hand, is completely aesthetic and sentimental with regard to what motivates. Is it beautiful? Do we have a place for it? (Although, in very special cases, we buy it even though we will have to make a place for it.) Is it locally created? Is there a story behind it? Can we meet the artist? Read more…
Antigua has a lovely port. Quite a change from all the construction at St. Maarten. We were among the first off the ship and it took some effort to get the attention of the girls working the cab stand. For $12 each way we got a ride to Runaway Beach. As it turns out we were the first tourists on the scene.
Joy and I had a lovely walk along the beach. Joy combed the beach for shells and bits of coral. We both took several pictures. Eventually, we found a hundred yards of sand or so to ourselves and parked for a bit. The water was as calm as a lake, Read more…
A bit more leisurely start to the day. We rose late. Ate at the Windjammer. I had my usual everything-but-cheese omelet and a pile of pineapple and Joy enjoyed assorted selections from the bountiful buffet. We took a sedate (relative to St. Thomas or Bermuda) taxi ride to Orient Beach on the French side. Driving in St. Martin was relatively civilized compared to many ports we have visited in the past. By nine o‘clock we had picked our chairs and umbrella at Bikini Beach.
We watched people of various ages and builds Read more…
