4th and 5th days

4^th and 5^th day

Weeelllll – exciting things happen to us in the name of Tropical Cyclone Kirk! Yes – as in Captain! Apparently TC Kirk decided to come visit our neck of the woods (google it). There were storm warnings out to islands (and cruise ships) – so after some debate (via conference calls with headoffice so said Captain Kate) a decision was made to miss the island we were going to, cancel those shore excursions and divert to the next island on our itinerary and stay there to hunk down till after TC Kirk went pass. So that meant we ended up being on  basically another sea day till 3pm when we docked in Antiguia. The waves were high and the wind blew but obviously we caught just a little bit of it. Only thoughts of the Titanic went round in my head – when they all eat and drink and wine and dine before it struck!

Antiguia was a british colony and is in the commonwealth. It has 365 beaches (one for each day of the year) but so far from the boat all we can see is bush and rocks. They drive on our side of the road so I decided it would be a good idea to hire a scooter and havea  look around (even tho we were warned in our daily notice NOT to do this!) It was hot and sticky when we went down to look around. The port was right beside the main areas of town but my god! It was about 3.30pm on a Friday – school was out and the streets were tiny and full of cars and people and school kids combined with 3000 ship tourists and bedlam prevailed! (so no scooter ride).There is not a lot of money here I think for roads or footpaths (about 2feet wide and high above the roads). No white lines or markings. Big pot holes. So the place to walk was ….. on the road beside the cars which could only really go one way! There was lots of honking but yes! Lots of Bob M on loud beat boxes coming out of cars and speakers outside shops! Lots of dreadlocks and stoned eyeballs so yeah my vision of the Caribbean!

The buildings down town were old colonial types – run down-wooden in bright colours tho. There was a type of market where Dave had a discussion about cricket with a market lady who was wide and she was high and lovely white smile and dark, dark skin. (App. The British imported slaves here to work the sugar plantations).

TC Kirk had a sting in his tail and we could see dark, black clouds looming as we walked back to the ship. It was very oppressive heat and once we got on board (thank god) the rains and wind let loose and it was tropical storming everywhere! The poor guys waiting to get on the boat got drenched. We opened up our door onto the balcony and just watched and listened to the storm. Quite exciting.

Day 5 – St John trip.

The day dawned with no rain, and only a little cloud. So good call Captain Kate! We went on our scenic and beach excursion. This involved going on a mini-bus following 2 others and a lovely rasta type girl with a big smile and funny sense of humour as our guide. I think the Americans found her a bit hard to understand. We toured round the island seeing the sights (it is quite big and reminds me of Samoa with its either pristine or run-down houses and coconut trees, mangy dogs, crap roads and rubbish on the road sides). I think the huge hurricane last year caused some damage). We stopped at the high point which was where the British had a garrison that could see all over and report if those dastardly Spanish or French were trying to invade. (note the very interesting shaped cactus!)

The British settled here in 1632 (see I did learn something! ) and wanted a safe port to shelter from hurricanes for their boats and protect the highly prized sugar plantations and rum! They set up a Naval Base (called Nelson Dockyard) which has been restored and we got a tour of it. App. Conditions in those days for the sailors were so bad, they mainly died from tropical diseases etc.. No women were allowed into the naval yard and no sailors allowed out so all the sailors could do is drink  ……. Rum!

Afterwards we went to a beach with golden sands, coconut palms and deckchairs. However if you wanted to sit under an umbrella it cost you $10 US! Which we did – it was sunny and hot. The stupid British were in the sun and got pinker and pinker! Unfortunately the waves were roughish (after the storm – think Marine Parade and those dumpers). I ventured in up to my waist, the water was so warm, but was a bit scared to go further out. We all got given rum punch so that made up for not being able to swim properly. I found my first furry friend since embarking on this trip. Not many dogs on any island so far and this one was scavenging for food (the man in charge of deck chairs and umbrellas was going to kick her and she hid by me).

As we were leaving managed to get some pictures of the colourful bars and shops around the port.

Well, Dave managed it. He discovered the All Blacks/Argentina game was on but the sports bar wouldn’t play it so we sat in our room with our drinks and watched it. Usual swearing at the ref or Justine Marshall, but it was a bit weird to watch it on a cruise ship in the middle of the Caribbean! We even wore black!