Eastern Caribbean Cruise: Day 6

I was thoroughly looking forward to this day and strolling around the island! I have seen pictures of the colored houses and doors and I was not disappointed seeing them in person. Abe and I both enjoyed the slow walking, hand in hand, and no rush to be anywhere.
We wandered around a bit and tried to avoid the tourist shopping. We came upon a gazebo with a guy sitting inside it. Abe, yet again, busted out his beautiful Spanish and got us a map. He then asked about the best streets to walk for a visual experience. The young man kindly circled where we were (right side of map), circled some key places to see, and directed us to the appropriate streets. Let me just say that I love to hear Abe speak Spanish. On the ship we have ran into the same family from Chile several times. Every time we have good conversation. Most of it is in Spanish and a little, for my sake, is in English. So if I am being asked something directly I can answer. Other than that Abe gets to translate for me.

Anyway, back to our stroll through San Juan.
The first thing that stood out to me the most were the blue cobble stone roads! They are gorgeous! I loved the character, the small plants that sometimes grew in the cracks, the unevenness yes smoothness of the roads, the narrowness of the road and the ability people had to maneuver around the parked cars (one way streets), and the sound of them beneath the cars tires.

Next thing I noticed were the abandoned buildings. Now, I know this sounds silly, but they were beautiful as well. They usually had trees and other plants growing out the windows, off the side, and on top of the roof. In Nevada it's so dry you have to try super hard to make something grow!

The top, white section is abandoned. 

Of course the well kept houses were beautiful as well. The rich color, the wood doors, the metal work; all of it was very pleasing to the eye!

We walked all the way up the streets and popped out to see this! Much of the island was surrounded by a city wall that was built a long time ago to help protect the island. It is visible in many of the following pictures.

cemetery

It rained a little bit as we were walking to the fortress/castle and then a rainbow appeared. I quickly asked for someone to take our picture!

We went just inside the doors and tried to get a glimpse. But, we didn't want to have to pay and feel like we had to stay in the fortress instead of looking around the city.

After getting a little bit of history, it started to pour. We quickly searched for a little bit of shelter to wait out the rain. But as quickly as it started it stopped. So we continued walking.

The rain came again as we walked down these steps. We again searched out shelter, along with a bunch of tough looking cats!!!

After 10 minutes we were out walking again. We chose whatever path we desired and we were never in any hurry.

We knew which way back we needed to go so we could have a pina colada from it's birthplace! We made it there and sat down to chat with our boys while we waited for our table.
Our boys are thriving and doing well! They didn't have much interested in talking to us after we got another earful  on Crew's birthday preparations. We both giggled over how adorable they were and know that they are having a good time! It's good to have such wonderful grandparents!!
The pina coladas here are very authentic. They had a very strong pineapple flavor compared to the other more coconut tasting pina coladas we had. It was ice cold and refreshing!

We didn't stay long because we knew we had to get back onto the ship. After avoiding the shops on the way up we did pop into a few on the way back. I bough a few trinkets for the boys and some color changing items. I then found a vendor selling jewelry made of flower seeds. I was hooked! I couldn't leave without buy one or two! I bought a red seed necklace and a brown seed necklace. He said they produce yellow and blue flowers. I can't remember which seed produced what flower. When I saw the red necklace I instantly thought of my Mom and knew she would most likely love it. I wish I would have spent my money on the other trinkets just so I could have bought more seed jewelry!!

With a few minutes to spare we got on board our ship and grabbed some lunch. We made our way to the top to eat and then back down to deck 5 to watch us sail away. Abe made sure to get the pictures he wanted!

front of the fortress/castle

We spent a little bit of time on the top deck watching the belly flop contest. Ouch! It is also the hottest day so far, so we spent some time in the pool.

It was like a car wreck that everyone had to watch! I think this is the most crowded I ever saw the decks.

Dinner was good, yet again. Abe and I love sitting down to eat anything we want, then when we are done we get to stand up and leave! Not only that, we then walk a short distance to another sort of entertainment. Tonight's show their was a vocal impersonator. He could sing and act like many famous singers. It was funny and energetic. I surprised myself, and Abe, by staying up later to see the 60 seconds or less game show. It had us laughing but was a little stale in between contests.
After our late night stroll around deck 4/5 we were off to bed.

Eastern Caribbean Cruise: Day 5

Today we didn't have any set plans. There were a few things on the Island of St Kitts that I had an interest in seeing, but we assumed that we would eventually end up on a beach somewhere. But, soon after walking into the shopping/tourist center of St Kitts we were somewhat bombarded by many locals trying to get us to take their tour of the island. We quickly turned down everyone. As we were walking into the square a little further, Veronica came over to chat. We liked what she had to say, her tour outline, and her kind determination. This lady is amazing. I don't think I could hustle people the way she does! Needless to say, we agreed to join her tour. We had about an hour to wander around before we loaded up.

I didn't really  care for everyone trying to get us to go into their shop. And if we did, they were bound and determined to get us to buy something. We did get the boys matching pirate shirts that I think they will love.

A little before the designated time to meet, we went and found free wifi. We emailed our boys to let them know we would be calling around lunch time.

Soon it was time to meet up with everyone in our group. As we waited we watched Veronica try to get two more people for her tour. We were all silently cheering her on, and it was sad when she didn't accomplish her goal. As soon as it was time to depart Veronica guided us to her van to begin the 2.5 hour tour.

Veronica. She owns her own van and made her own tours;  it is her sole income. She has had many jobs but observed that she was good at many things, and always was promoted quickly within her old jobs. Unfortunate storms would wipe out her job and she would have to search for a new one. One day she decided to take her skill and create a tour. Business is usually very good. 

The island has very religious people. They are mostly Catholic or Anglican. There is one jail. Almost all crime is centered around the younger generation and their gangs.

Catholic church

I believe she said this is an Anglican church.

These birds all nest together to protect their young from the mongoose. When I asked about snakes, Veronica said there are no snakes on the island.

The minimum wage in St Kitts is $150/week. Most people have to work two jobs to survive. One US dollar is roughlyt 2.5 caribean dollars.
In St Kitts it is illegal to put an alcoholic container on the ground. You will be fined $500 if you are found doing so. I guess some people got creative and started to hang the bottles from the tree to avoid being fined. This is were Veronica stopped to get herself some lunch so we were able to watch the people and the chickens wander around. It seems that the chickens live under the houses and freely roam.

After traveling a little ways into the jungle, we stopped at the Wingfield Estate; or at least part of it. It blows me away to see what people did with a lot of sweat and ingenuity.

fire location

our van in the rainforest

Abe may have been trying to carefully select a vine to try and swing on, when I strongly suggested I didn't think it was the best idea!

I absolutely loved the dainty plants growing on the bridge and everywhere else.

Down the road a short ways there is a small path that goes up to the botanical gardens. They are beautiful! But, what I found amazing and gorgeous was the art fabric that the ladies make up there. It is a combed process of wax art, dye, and boiling. The fabric they made was vibrant and incredibly soft. I wish at that time I had thought to ask if I could just buy a length of fabric. None of the clothing and decor items were what I wanted, but I could have brought some home to make something! I am sad that I didn't!! Unfortunately there were signs asking that we didn't take pictures of the art.

We were off again to our next destination. Along the way we saw many overgrown sugar cane fields. Ten years ago they stopped farming sugar cane. The factory has fallen into complete disrepair and the fields are returning to the original state. Veronica said it was due to government greediness that the farms were shut down. Abe speculated later that it could have been their inability to compete the the world sugar market. Either way it is sad.
Thirty years ago St Kitts gained their Independence from Britain. Veronica said she remembers what it was like before and after. While they were under Britain they had to wait for approval on many things but things ran okay. After they gained independence life was very good and enjoyable. But recently things have changed and the government has become more greedy. The same leader has been in position for 19 years.

old sugar plant

The house being built for their local Olympian.

We drove to the top of a mountain to see the breath taking views. I also purchased a shell bracelet from a local vendor. While observing the beauty around me and chatting with Abe I was startled and nearly screamed out as a local tried to place a monkey on me. No thank you!

Atlantic / Caribbean

When then went down the small mountain to briefly visit a popular beach. It is on the right side of first mountain, in the picture above. It was very crowded! There were monkeys, a bar, a lot of people, but most importantly it was very beautiful!

A long way from home!

 We had originally hoped to be dropped off on a different beach for an hour or two. But, we changed our minds and decided to head back to the town center to get pina coladas and try to facetime our boys. We tried to facetime our boys many times. Sadly they weren't home! I guess they were out having a blast with Grandma and Grandpa. The pina coladas were good and very refreshing. Abe and I both agreed that St Maarten had the best out of the two!

We sent the boys this picture and a short video to let them know we loved them!

After getting on board we grabbed a light lunch and relaxed a little before getting ready for dinner. As always dinner was delicious! We finished right at the early show was starting and we saw about 40 minutes of it. It was good, but too loud! We sat in the wrong place and we both had our ears plugged for most of it. Another early bedtime so we can get ready for our day in San Juan, Puerto Rico.