NOTE: This post archived from our previous family website and back-dated...
August afforded Mommy and Daddy some husband-and-wife time with their second chance to Get out there! Catching the Adventure of the Seas in San Juan, we had stops in St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia, and Barbados.
ST. THOMAS & ST. JOHN (USVI)
Monday morning, we awoke to find ourselves overlooking the beautiful, lush green mountains of St. Thomas. After breakfast, we boarded a ferry for an excursion over to Trunk Bay on St. John where we spent a few hours swimming and snorkeling. Trunk Bay Beach is situated in a US National Park and was quite possibly the most beautiful beach either of us has ever had the opportunity visit.
ST. MAARTEN
Early Tuesday morning, the Adventure pulled into port in St. Maarten. Like the previous day, we ate breakfast then headed out for an excursion. This time, we boarded a bus which toured us around both the Dutch and French sides of the island. After a brief shopping stop at a water-side market, we arrived at Boo Boo Jam at Orient Bay Beach. Much to our surprise, and the surprise of the rest of the folks on the excursion, Orient Bay is a 'clothing optional beach'. I guess we need to check these things out better next time (BTW: Everyone from our bus kept their clothes on.). Also, St. Maarten left us with a better memory than our previous visit (Mommy's appendix): It was on the beach in St. Maarten this time that she saw her tummy move for the first time because of the baby...
ANTIGUA
Wednesday morning deposited us in Antigua. Recent viewings of The Amazing Race led us to take matters into our on hands. Upon disembarking the ship, we were able to charter a taxi on our own and find our way to Millers by the Sea at a lovely beach called Runaway Beach. We started out as 1 of only 3 other couples on the entire beach. By the time we left, another excursion had arrived, a horse back riding tour had come through, and a local woman had stopped by to wash her dog in the ocean. Our taxi driver, Valentine, was awesome and returned to pick us up at exactly the time we asked. (We're still not sure why we only took 6 pics...or what our towel animal was for the day...)
ST. LUCIA
Thursday, it was onto the incredibly beautiful island of St. Lucia. Despite the success of our independent excursion the previous day, we signed up for an official excursion today. And we are glad we did. From the winding mountain passes, the beautiful foliage, the breathtaking panoramas and the 450 year old trees (pic 4), we would have missed so much of this island without the awesome guide on this tour. (FYI: The ship in pic 12 was used in the making of The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl).
Our excursion on St. Lucia concluded at Renuit Beach near Pigeon Point Island for some swimming and hounding from the local 'craftsman'. Dinner was formal this evening. Peter and Linda (pic 15) were one of the couples seated at our dinner table who became quick friends. They also happen to be newlyweds (Congratulations again!)
BARBADOS
The last island on this whirlwind tour was Barbados; another incredibly beautiful, lush, green island. Emboldened by our success on Antigua, we decided to tackle the island apart from an official excursion. The taxi rates on Barbados are regulated by the government and are based on an occupancy of 4 people. Fortunate for us, Jason and Pam from FL approached us as we were disembarking. The 4 of us hired Saki, who dropped us at the Blue Monkey at Paynes Bay, providing Jason and Pam a lovely place to snorkel and Mommy and I and nice beach to relax on. Our taxi contact person, Fabulous (yes, that was his name), remembered Saki's name when the 4 of us couldn't and everyone returned to the ship after an awesome day. Irvin and Tami (pic 10) were the other couple seated at our dinner table who also became quick friends.
AT SEA
Saturday was our day at sea as we made our way back to San Juan. One of the highlights of the day was the belly flop contest, MC'd by the Cruise Director, Richard Spacey. Believe me when I tell you, the ship didn't need to hire outside entertainment: This guy was hysterical. Pics 3 and 4 are Ramona and Hector; our dinner waiters for the week and were great fun as well...
