We decided to try a new type of vacation. Instead of hiking and camping we wanted to try the whole leisure and luxury approach. It turns out we kind-a-liked it.
We chose an itinerary in the Eastern Caribbean that had no "at sea days" so we could maximize our island experience.
We chose an itinerary in the Eastern Caribbean that had no "at sea days" so we could maximize our island experience.
It was incredible! Postcard blue water and white sand beaches and rugged tropical jungles on the island's interior. The locals were friendly and welcoming. It was an amazing experience to wake up every morning in a new port, with new towns to see and beaches to enjoy.
Briefly here is where we went and little of what we did....
We boarded our ship in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The flight there had some pretty bad turbulence but we survived the thrill ride. It was awesome to see our ship lit up at the dock waiting for us.
Our first port was St. Thomas. When we went on the deck to get our fist glance of the island we were stunned by the green rolling hills and million dollar yachts sitting in the turquoise blue waters. We walked the streets of Charlotte Amalie, the shopping was supposed to be "world class" and "duty-free" but we weren't really interested in diamonds or alcohol. Most of the ship went to Megans Bay but a local pointed use to Hidden Cove Beach. The beach was perfect for us! Good snorkeling and we had the beach all to ourselves. Everyone warned us to not get sunburned our first day, and despite our attempts we were burnt crisp on day one.
The second port was Dominica. This island didn't have the sandy beaches but it did have the thickest, and greenest rain forest. The interior was mountainous and we got to see some waterfalls while there. This was our first time on the trip to be off of American soil.
Our next stop was Barbados. This was a former British colony and Bridgetown is supposed to be like a little London. We haven't been to London but if it is like Bridgetown I think we might like it. One our favorite places we stumbled upon was St. Micheal's church. This little run down church and cemetery had been here since 1665! The church has been toppled by two hurricanes (1780, 1831) and then rebuilt again. It was here that we really began to get a sense of the history of the area. We also hopped a ride on a catamaran to snorkel with some sea turtles. Our snorkeling site was close to the famous sandy lane resort, so we swam to the beach to have a look around.
Our fourth port was St Lucia. The city of Castries was among the biggest cities we saw on our trip. We took a long walk through the city. It seemed like almost every street was lined with vendors selling their wares. We hardly saw a tourist while in the city and felt completely immersed in this very foreign place. The poverty here was obvious. Around every corner were shanty towns were families lived in improvised shelters. We took a very long and equally winding ride to Soufriere (our drivers name was Indignatious). The best part of the drive was seeing the Pitons. These duel conical shaped mountains are beautiful and are the icons of this island.
Our next port was St Kitts, and this turned out to be one of our favorite islands. The highlight has to be the Brimstone Fortress. The Fortress was incredible and the views from the ramparts were amazing. From brimstone we could see three other islands.
St Maarten was our last island while at sea. We made it a beach day and had the best snorkeling of the week here. Again everyone headed to one beach (Orient Beach) and we headed to another (Dawn Beach)! Having a total beach day was the perfect end to our island hopping trip.
Once back in San Juan, we has some time to kill so we put our baggage in a locker. Armed with a map, we went on a walking tour of old San Juan. We were really surprised at what the city had to offer. There were all sorts of interesting historical and architectural sites to see. Our favorites were the old castles and churches. Before we new it the vacation had come to a close and we were back on the plane headed home.
Briefly here is where we went and little of what we did....
We boarded our ship in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The flight there had some pretty bad turbulence but we survived the thrill ride. It was awesome to see our ship lit up at the dock waiting for us.
Our first port was St. Thomas. When we went on the deck to get our fist glance of the island we were stunned by the green rolling hills and million dollar yachts sitting in the turquoise blue waters. We walked the streets of Charlotte Amalie, the shopping was supposed to be "world class" and "duty-free" but we weren't really interested in diamonds or alcohol. Most of the ship went to Megans Bay but a local pointed use to Hidden Cove Beach. The beach was perfect for us! Good snorkeling and we had the beach all to ourselves. Everyone warned us to not get sunburned our first day, and despite our attempts we were burnt crisp on day one.
The second port was Dominica. This island didn't have the sandy beaches but it did have the thickest, and greenest rain forest. The interior was mountainous and we got to see some waterfalls while there. This was our first time on the trip to be off of American soil.
Our next stop was Barbados. This was a former British colony and Bridgetown is supposed to be like a little London. We haven't been to London but if it is like Bridgetown I think we might like it. One our favorite places we stumbled upon was St. Micheal's church. This little run down church and cemetery had been here since 1665! The church has been toppled by two hurricanes (1780, 1831) and then rebuilt again. It was here that we really began to get a sense of the history of the area. We also hopped a ride on a catamaran to snorkel with some sea turtles. Our snorkeling site was close to the famous sandy lane resort, so we swam to the beach to have a look around.
Our fourth port was St Lucia. The city of Castries was among the biggest cities we saw on our trip. We took a long walk through the city. It seemed like almost every street was lined with vendors selling their wares. We hardly saw a tourist while in the city and felt completely immersed in this very foreign place. The poverty here was obvious. Around every corner were shanty towns were families lived in improvised shelters. We took a very long and equally winding ride to Soufriere (our drivers name was Indignatious). The best part of the drive was seeing the Pitons. These duel conical shaped mountains are beautiful and are the icons of this island.
Our next port was St Kitts, and this turned out to be one of our favorite islands. The highlight has to be the Brimstone Fortress. The Fortress was incredible and the views from the ramparts were amazing. From brimstone we could see three other islands.
St Maarten was our last island while at sea. We made it a beach day and had the best snorkeling of the week here. Again everyone headed to one beach (Orient Beach) and we headed to another (Dawn Beach)! Having a total beach day was the perfect end to our island hopping trip.
Once back in San Juan, we has some time to kill so we put our baggage in a locker. Armed with a map, we went on a walking tour of old San Juan. We were really surprised at what the city had to offer. There were all sorts of interesting historical and architectural sites to see. Our favorites were the old castles and churches. Before we new it the vacation had come to a close and we were back on the plane headed home.
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