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!

cruising on out!

Don’t likeMiami – all very dodgy looking however we got a lovely man at our  hotel who organised a shuttle to the port to get our ship. There were 6 cruise ships docked that day so it was chaos!  You just left your bags with others by the side of the road and walked off hoping to god they knew which ship to put them on! After that it took us an hour in the heat to actually get on the boat – good time to people watch tho. Some very pushy, loud Americas there.

So on the boat, up-grade our drinks package and first beer, first cocktail, another beer, another cocktail by the pool, all before we got into our room and then up stairs to leave!

Lots of huge, expensive houses on the keys as we passed with flash boats packed up outside (just like Miami Vice!)

FIRST DAY AT SEA

Lovely to start with a day a sea. Slept in (first time to be able to since we started on our trip) – big buffet breakfast and to the pool.  Then to check out the shore excursions (we hadn’t booked any before hand as we weren’t sure) and then off to book what we wanted to do. Back to lunch (more food and cocktails) and then to the pool for swim, cocktails – live band playing etc Oh this is what I call relaxing! We had a nana nap then off to the fine dining restaurant for lots of rose (the wine lady was impressed with my ability to down those buggars!) and then to watch ‘Captain Kate” do a meet and greet.  yes we have a lady captain who looks tooooooo young to handle this big a boat!

We have discovered lots of English are on board as well as Americans. They have been all very friendly and happy for a chat.

Show that night was a show with singers, acrobats, dancers  etc. Very good but I was a bit blotto. Then it was up-stairs for a Silent Disco! Seriously – it was incredible. There were at least 300 – 400 people each with headphones on that light up. You set your headphone to a channel (there were 3 channels to choose from – golden oldies (rock), top 40 or some latin American thing). Most were on red which was great! The funny part was that you danced to what was going on in your headphone! That was why it was silent – cause you take your headphone off and the only noise was a huge group singing some chorus of a song  - and the others were just dancing to their own beat! Such fun! The people there were old and young and it started at 10.30pm so most were quite happy like me!

At 11pm we went to an adult comedy show which was very funny and not bad words or themes at all. Midnight I turned into a very tired little pumpkin!

2^ND DAY AT SEA

Suffering from the night before and had only 2 beers all day! Didn’t want to get up and have breakfast and only went to the pool after some Panadol took effect! Very seedy all day and swore to lay off the booze which is silly if you have an all-inclusive drinks package! The weather so far since arriving in America has been 31 – 32C and a bit humid. Still like this on the boat. Quiet day with a latin-American guy for the show who was quite good.

ST Thomas – US Virgin Islands.

Finally – woke up and there was land ahoy! (haven’t seen land for two days – nothing!). it looks all hilly and bush but some lovely houses there. We had a snorkelling with the turtles tour. There were about 20 – 25 of us and we went out on this lovely catermaran  with sails etc. 3 young guys and girl were in charge and they were all brown and enthusiastic and funny with rock music blaring while we sailed! The snorkelling wasn’t as great as the Pacific Is (murky water – not much fish – and it is an marine reserve!) however we did see large turtles in their natural habitat swimming along the sea floor.  The water was sooooo warm!

On the way back it was sun, rum punch (free and lots of) and rock music with people up dancing! Exactly what you think the Caribbean would be like. I am so happy! We are now waiting to leave and onto the next island. A magician show tonight but to bed early after that. The sunshine does take it out of one!

America - here we come!

hi guys,
just a quick email to let you know we have arrived in the U S of A - no probs with flights out, had a little sleep on the plane over (with help of pills). Slept kneeling on the floor with head on seat with 2 pillows! (we were in exit row). Was very comfy and app. not allowed but no one wanted to wake me! America has gone all electronic with immigration ( big e machines that read passports, take photos, finger prints 4 fingers etc) so you think sweet ... that was easy....... but you still had to wait 45min in line to get your passport stamped and more photos  taken! Talk about big brother.
We found American airlines terminal easily and some lovely assistant looked after us  when their checking in machine didn't work. More x ray machines for luggage etc. It was a 6 hour flight - NO SCREENS and NO free food or drink! Luckily I asked before we got on so could take on some food.
Arrived in Orlando at midnight with a spectacular electric storm taking place that you could see from the plane (lots and lots of lightning).
Our hotel is wonderful. It was so hot here even at midnight - and we were tired and dirty and wanted no drama - but they were great! It is like a huge resort with a huge pool that has sand around it (on the 2nd floor too).  Y0u catch a water taxi free to the entrance of universal studios (only takes 5 mins) and makes getting around easy.
We got to sleep about 1.30am and then up at 8,30 and straight to the theme park. First up was the Rocket rollercoaster which I asked Dave to go with me and by god! After wards he was covered in sweat and sick and just wanted to vomit there and then! He had already taken an anit-nausea pill which obviously didn't work.
So he was a misery for a while. I went to Shrek by myself and we walked around to ET, did that by myself, and saw the Blues Brothers band and the Stomp drummers (all outside free shows). Quite cool. We went to a Minions 4 D show which was funny, watched the parade and back to the room by 3.30 for a sleep!

Tonight was water taxi to the start of the Universal Studios and they have this huge food area/ street by the lake with bands and bars etc. Very cool just to walk around and still only 3C less heat that during the day. Its like being in the Pacific except there is a lot more walking involved!

Ok – second day at Orlando. Up early to get into the Universal park before 8am. We had it sorted this time. Straight to Harry Potter World ….. god it was amazing. Just like stepping into the movie with the shops and buildings all looking like they did. I went on a ride called the Grindots  (you go through the bank like they did in the movie).  Dave refused to go after the day before’s little sick problem. Then some butterbeer at the ‘Leaky Cauldron’. Really cool.

After that onto the Hogwart’s Express at Kings Cross Station (so real) which was a real steam train and you sat in proper carriages with a movie type playing through the windows so it was like going on the journey Harry etc took.

At the end you walk out and into Hogsmeade Town with snow on the buildings (you really need to know the movies – if not all of this is wasted space!).

There was another ride I went on which went through the real life-like Hogwart’s Castle and it was like being on a broom stick and in a quiddich game (cool!) I felt sad Dave couldn’t do this as it was his thing (harry potter ) more than mine.

You just wander out of this make-believe and go into Adventure World which was all dinosaurs (ride in water which Dave came on) and a close-up with a raptor!

Unfortunately I discovered 2 more water rides and the last one we were absolutely soaked! So bad but luckily it was 30C but still took all day to dry out.

We found Transformers and super-heroes (Spiderman ride – no dave) and then the big roller coaster called the Hulk!! I went on (discovered the way to avoid queues is to go on the ‘Single lane’ which is for only 1 riders cause you walk pass all the others and walk straight through as they use you to fill up seats – clever eh!)

Anyway – it was a good day at the park and finished off with this chocolate factory dessert place that would have you drooling!

We left the hotel at 5pm and caught a ‘limmosene’ to the Orlando airport ($49). I had to educate the check-in girl (and another one who joined in the conversation) who thought Kiwis was as in kiwifruit. I showed her the kiwi bird I have on my bag ( oohhh I didn’t know a kiwi was a bird!) and told her all about it! This was with a big queue behind us, but they loved it! Unfortunately just getting on a 1hr flight to Miami involved lots of queueing to get through security and I got tagged to be checked and body felt all over (do you mind me touching you all over in front of people mam, or do you want to go to a closed room? Argghhh!!) any way so here is me getting felt up all over by this huge Afro-Am lady while Dave is laughing his head off at my looks of horror! Then she swabs my fingers and puts the paper through a machine just like on Border Patrol! What! A drug carrier – me??? Thank god all was good, but Dave asked her what she was testing for (drugs?) ah no sir  ……. EXPLOSIVES!! So do I look like a terrorist?! Drama not over yet cause as we were taxiing  to the runway Dave swore he saw his bag being put onto a luggage trolley by itself – so that led to the whole flight, and then onto a train at Miami airport to even get to luggage claim – worrying and worrying about what do we do if his bag was left behind? We went through all these senarios – but guess …… there it was all happily sailing round on the conveyor belt tucked up next to mine! On yay! Thank bloody Christ!