CARIBBEAN ADVENTURES      

May 16, 2004 to May 20, 2004

Our first port, San Juan, Puerto Rico, was a bit of a disappointment.  We arrived quite late, well after dark, so it was hard to get a feel of the island.  However, we did walk around the port area a bit and went up the hill to see the old fortress.

The next day we arrived in Santa Lucia.  Don and I had made arrangements for a snorkeling excursion.  Along with several other passengers, we were met at the dock and motored across the bay to be fitted out with snorkel gear.  Then on to an underwater preserve where we had about an hour of good snorkeling.  We were especially interested in the huge, spiny sea urchins.  There were little white jellyfish with two black dots floating all around and we had to watch out for them because they sting.  I got one minor sting on my bicep.  It looked like a mosquito bite and stung for about 15 minutes.  Don and I were the last ones out of the water and we were both shriveled prunes.

Our next port was St. Croix.  Our ship was the first to visit this port for two years, so everyone was glad to see us.  We walked around the town and found a very interesting museum about the history of the island, the early inhabitants, slavery and the rebellion that lead to the abolition of slavery.  About 95% of the citizenship is descended from former slaves.

The last Caribbean port was Barbados.  There Don and I went on another excursion to a special spot where we got to swim with the big sea turtles.  They were very smooth to the touch, not rough like a tortoise, and were pretty comfortable swimming around with us.  After swimming with the turtles we were taken to another area for snorkeling and swimming. 

Later that afternoon we went for a walk around the town in search of a Laundromat, to no avail, I might add.  The town was interesting. Don bought a new pair of sandals, since the ones brought had  developed a split in the sole.  Of all the islands we visited I liked Barbados most, and would consider spending a week there.