In December, 2010, Bob and I had the fortunate task of choosing where we would spend Christmas which also served as our official Honeymoon. We each had criterion to stick to ... absolutely no cruises (me) and definitely no longer than 16 days (Bob). So that’ll be a 28 day Caribbean Cruise then! I won’t bore you with the details of how this came about but will say in our defense, that we know a bargain when we see one.
First of all though, we had to leave the Isle of Man, visit Jo and Mike for a pre Christmas hug and also beat the snow storms blitzing the UK the week we flew out to our cruise starting point, Barbados.
Boxing clever - or so we thought - we drove very carefully down to Gatwick airport, 24 hours before we needed to, in order to beat the first blizzard sent to try us. That done and feeling rather smug, we endeavoured to deliver our car to the long stay parking lot of our choice, the day before our flight, as originally intended. What should have been a quick and simple 20 minute trip, turned into a 4 and a half hour snow-filled saga!
Having felt the chilling wrath of the snow Gods once, we decided to circumvent another icy trial, by leaving our hotel valiantly early the morning of our flight. It actually took no time at all to arrive at the departure level at North Terminal, though the ground was severely iced over. Our intrepid taxi driver crept and crunched along the eerily quiet roads to drop us off at 5.30am - our flight wasn’t due to leave till 10.30am! We really didn’t want to take any chances.
The next 12 hours (yes that’s right - 12!) were a veritable roller coaster of nail biting excitement, the sort we can all do without. Part of the high drama was due to an enormous amount of snow enveloping Gatwick in a relatively short amount of time which left a heavy, white, sparkly blanket over the entire airport and surrounding area. Easy-jet and BA immediately cancelled all flights for the next 48 hours. Our Thompson charter flight, transporting only P&O cruise goers, held out till the very last possible moment . We were finally called to board the plane at 3.30pm. Our captain kindly informed us that the crew were nearing their legal limit of the maximum hours they could work. He also told us that they are allowed a discretionary extra, unspecified, extension which they had all agreed to use. A loud spontaneous "Hurrah!" went up from the packed plane. He then told us the absolute maximum time remaining would take us to 4.30 - it was then 4pm. We went very quiet for the next ... little while. After being doused in industrial quantities of deicer (the plane ... not us personally) we pulled away from our Gate on the 6th attempt and finally came free of the frozen stand and took to the still snow-clouded skies. And in real, by now hysterical excitement, headed for Barbados and all things Caribbean. The time? 5.10pm! Eek.
Blizzards to blistering Barbados from Christine Collister on Vimeo.
Our first glimpse of Ventura, the ship that would become our floating living quarters for the next 4 weeks, was utterly jaw dropping. Towering above everything around it, for what seemed like miles, Ventura dominated the skyline of Bridgetown, capital and well worn cruise port of Barbados. Checking in to board the ship, was a chaotic, cheerful and mercifully quick affair. After finding our stateroom at the back, port side of the ship on the top accommodation deck, we marveled at the heat of the night and our new temporary home. Exhausted but relieved and happy to be there at all ...we fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.At one point in the middle of the night, now in full sailing motion en route to St Lucia, I woke to the gentle sway of our moving colossus and couldn’t resist a peek out over the balcony. Still warm and muggy, the black night was studded with twinkling stars and the calm sea looked glossy and inviting in the moonlight - a beautiful dream-like experience. Sigh.
The following morning however was definitely not the most fun we’ve ever had. There were apparently 3498 other passengers aboard Ventura as well as 1500 or so staff; one of my negative assumptions about cruising was simply that - too many people in a confined space with no way to escape! I think everyone tried to have breakfast at the same time and in the same place that first morning - that’s what it felt like. We had to elbow past people - they started it! - in order to get to the self-serve buffet and fight to find a seat. I was NOT happy. The thought of being on a floating Butlin’s style holiday camp did not thrill me ... I know what I’m talking about ... I used to be a Red Coat!
Our breakfast ordeal over and safe and alone in our little haven of a cabin once more, we began to relax. Still feeling somewhat discombobulated by our journey there, we decided to spend the day onboard and forgo the pleasures of St Lucia - it was grey and drizzling which helped cement the decision. So while most of our fellow cruise goers left the comfort and safety of the ship, we were free to roam and investigate it’s many and varied rooms, decks and facilities.
We made our way to the gym area on the top deck overlooking the lush green cruise port of St Lucia. We don’t normally go in for gym-like regimens but for some reason, probably the wonderful views, we managed to spend time there every day - exercising and everything. We also found the Thermal suite - Lordy! - which housed a beautiful mosaic-tiled steam room complete with fountain and cold water sinks, plus a dry heat room where the tiled seating, perfectly sculpted to a reclining position, were wonderfully heated to a high degree - sweating obligatory. Then ... outside the hot rooms were a line of, once again, tiled beds mildly heated for a fabulously relaxing lie-down. What’s not to like? This became our daily ritual ... 40 minutes in the gym followed by an hour in the Thermal suite ... ah yes cruising is delightful!
Happy Island Hopping from Christine Collister on Vimeo.
After St Lucia we stopped in Antigua which has a rather vibrant, colourful and smelly port town, an unprepossessing introduction to the Caribbean for me. The people however were warm and friendly with beautiful bright smiles. Tortola was our next Island call and showed us a sweeter smelling and calmer side to a Caribbean cruise port. Hilly, lush and tranquil with far fewer people in the town centre then we expected, our short saunter was most enjoyable. Our great friends Diane and Bryan Ansell, used to live here. So Bob text to let them know we were on their old stomping ground and offered to pay off any outstanding bar bills they may have left! Diane text back straight away to say she’d love some curry powder from the Sunny Caribbee Herb & Spice Co, though she doubted we’d be able to find it. As he stopped to read her reply ... we were stood right outside!
Toodleloo to tiny Tortola from Christine Collister on Vimeo.
We had fun in Aruba, chatting to a delightful woman visiting family for Christmas; she now lives on nearby sister Dutch Antilles Island Bonaire, our next stop and told us about the famous flamingos and beautiful lakes there, she insisted we go see. The busy cruise port is basically in shopping over-drive which we managed to dodge quite well apart from the Bob-the-Fish swimming shorts ... Bob couldn’t resist! It was also stiflingly hot!Adorable Aruba from Christine Collister on Vimeo.
Bonaire is a quiet, rural, diver’s paradise where flamingos and lizards abound. We took a $10 taxi ride with 8 other passengers around the Island which took all of 90 minutes. Our driver, a lovely local woman originally from Holland, gave us great value for money with her many witty and informative comments. Due to the heavy rainfall of late, the lake that usually holds the majority of flamingos, was closed to the public. Most of the roadways were water-logged; she drove us to 2 alternative lakes to see the beautiful sight but the flaming red birds were far, far away (think Father Ted!) and not easy to spot.Beautiful Bonaire from Christine Collister on Vimeo.
Each morning about 7am we woke in a new port and every evening around 6pm we pushed off from wherever we’d anchored for the day, to sail the gentle night waves, ever onward to our next exotic Caribbean Island. It became an hypnotic, mesmerizing routine - which we got used to it frighteningly quickly.
We spent Christmas day "at sea" ... out on the open waves gently rocking from side to side ... it was delightful. I trust you all enjoyed your Christmas wherever you were. I'll leave it here for now and come back in a week or so with a little more.
Thanks as ever for stopping by to read my muddled meanderings ... it's very much appreciated.
Take care ... see you soon.
Much love
Christine xx
