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Monday 15 February 2010

Cruise - St. Kitts #5.....


It took Captain Charlie three attempts to dock at Basseterre Harbour, St. Kitts, not because he's not very good but because the weather was atrocious! Yep, you've guessed, it was raining! We had booked a trip leaving at 9 a.m. but because we didn't actually dock until 10 a.m. we were booked onto the later one, after lunch.




We had breakfast and spent the morning reading in our cabin, except for when we nipped to the onboard shop to buy raincoats. Up to now it had rained almost every day so we thought it might be prudent to have raincoats ready! After lunch we disembarked to meet the bus to take us on our trip to St. Kitts Railway for a trip round the island. The bus driver, Joseph, was very friendly and informative, pointing out places of interest on the one hour bus trip to the other side of the island where we were to board the train.   Joseph told us he used to be a firefighter but because he was 60 years old they had retired him, but he still needed to work so had taken a job as a tour guide and was really enjoying meeting so many different people from other countries.

Joseph


 We arrived at the point where we met the train, which seemed to be in the middle of nowhere, and then we heard it trundling down the track.  It was very colourful and we were allocated carriages according to our bus number, ours was number 3.    We sat up top in the observation car, which thankfully had plastic sheeting to protect us from the wind.    It had stopped raining by this point but the skies were dull.   The train was an experience - very noisy and rattly (is that a word?) as it trundled through what had once been sugar cane plantations, now no longer because sugar became too expensive to process.    The main source of income of St. Kitts now is tourism though Joseph told us that the people of St Kitts were really hoping for someone to invest and really do something with the vast expanse of sugar plantations.     



There was a conductor on the train who very kindly allowed me to take his photograph and there was also a lovely lady who distributed soft drinks or rum punch if that's what you wanted.   We had the rum punch which was delicious!    There was also a trio, consisting of a man, a woman and a young girl, going from carriage to carriage singing a couple of songs to entertain the tourists.

I took some photos, which I've put in this little slide show, so you can see just how green St. Kitts is and the dismal weather didn't detract from the beauty of the place.


Whilst getting showered and changed for dinner we listened to O(cean)V(illage) Radio each night from 5 pm - 7 pm and sometimes they had competions where you could enter by ringing them from your cabin.   This particular evening the competition was 'guess what programme this is the music for'.   Right away I knew it was 'Dynasty'!   I phoned my answer through and guess what - I won!    The prize wasn't another cruise or anything like that it was just a 'Mega Share-Me Cocktail' which I have to tell you were like goldfish bowls!   Tom, a member of the events team that was broadcasting that evening, wondered if we had a balcony when he realised we were on A deck so he said over air "I'm coming to deliver this prize, can I see your balcony?".   Five minutes later he was knocking on the door of our cabin and I invited him in for a tour.  He was so enthusiastic and asked if he could report back on air, "Of course" I said.     A few minutes after he left he was raving on air about our spacious cabin, the balcony, the bath - "I thought only the Captain had a bath" he said.  

That evening we ate at The Bistro again and a gastronomical delight it was.  Just to tickle your tastebuds here's what we had:

Me: Spicy Crab and saffron linguini with chilli oil/Fillet of beef with buttered spinach and pommes Anna and a selection of vegetable/Iced lemongrass parfait with mango and chilli.

MWM:Spicy Crab and saffron linguini with chili oil/Rack of lamb with Procencal vegetables and chateau potatoes/ Sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce and vanilla bean ice cream.

The show that evening was a local Reggae Band who were so very good lots of people got up dancing in the Marquee, including MWM and I.    The party carried on in the Bayside Club later so we went along and boogied the night away.

Our next stop was Antiqua, I  hope you'll join me.

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

I sure am enjoying this trip. The slide show was terrif my friend. It is very green there. How cool that you won. Boy I've never seen a train that colorful. Sound so fun and the Reggae Band is a type of music I love. :) I always thought that when ships came into port they had a Harbor Captain that docked the ship. I didn't know the actual captain did it. Weather plays havoc with everything. Just loved the post my friend.

quilly said...

You know what I think the coolest thing about this is? You didn't let the rain put a damper on your spirits. You just bought rain coats and set out to have fun.

Akelamalu said...

As far as I know Thom a pilot comes aboard and directs the captain who has ultimate responsibility. I'm pleased you like the slide show. Reggae is my favourite music too.

Well it was warm rain Quilly! LOL

Unknown said...

It looks lovely. Yes that warm rain is rather nice when it's humid. A bit of a welcome relief. Loving the trip too. Roll on Antigua

happily retired gal said...

Rain in the islands is different from the wet stuph at home isn't it! Glad you didn't let it deter you from sight-seeing. Ya know, if you had rain gear with you it might not have rained at all ;-)
Enjoyed the slide show!
Hugs and blessings,

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

you know as many times as we have cruised the caribbean we have only been to st. kitts once. i remember the fields and the train very well. and there is a spot where the atlantic ocean meets the caribbean and it swirls so pretty. i am really enjoying your cruise!

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxo

secret agent woman said...

I've been to St. Kitts. If I'm remembering correctly, that's where we saw the green monkeys. (They aren't actually green, but the males have green private bits.)

Maude Lynn said...

This sounds like so much fun!

GEWELS said...

Sounds like a wonderful trip so far! We sure could use a tropical excursion after all of our snow.
Aloha Akela!

Ron said...

LOVED the slide show, Akelamalu!

The mountain in the mist was my favorite. OMG...that was beautiful!

And congrats on winning the competition. Dynasty! I can still remember the theme song. I was avid watcher of that show. That, and also Knots Landing.

Thanks for sharing, m'dear!

Eagerly awaiting Antigua!

Have a great day!

X

Linda said...

I'm with Ron, the mountain in the mist was beautiful!

After all of the cold we've been having, I don't think I'd mind me a bit of warm rain at this point - especially if it melted the snow that's still on the ground here.

Someday maybe I will be lucky enough to have gorgeous cruise photos to show off like you - maybe!

Akelamalu said...

Warm rain is better than cold snow any day Carol! LOL

It's funny you should say that about the rain gear Happily Retired Gal because once we'd bought some it didn't rain again! Murphy's Law!

Yes, yes we saw where the Caribbean met the Atlantic Bee and it is a sight to behold!

We were told about the green monkeys SAW apparently they outnumber the people. We didn't actually see any though.

It was Mama Zen :)

Tropical excusions are always welcome Gewels!

That was my favourite photo too Ron and it was even more beautiful in the 'flesh' so to speak. I liked Knots Landing too. :)

I hope someday you get to do a cruise because I know that your photographs will be absolutely A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. Linda!

Sandi McBride said...

What a wonderful way you have with sharing your holiday with us...I almost feel as if I'm right there with you...we plan on taking a cruise in August...I look forward to hearing more about your trip!
hugs
Sandi

buffalodick said...

I like the way you two live life! You are living it, not observing from afar...

A Lady's Life said...

rain or shine a change of scenery is always welcome :)

Mike Minzes said...

I agree with buff. That is the way life is supposed to be lived! You go girl!

Flowerpot said...

great stuff Ak!

Shrinky said...

You've captured some wonderful memories of this trip, and I agree with Quilly, it's all in the frame of mind whether you enjoy yourself, regardless of the rain, you took all the good you could from it, and lots of good there was too!

Anonymous said...

I feel like I'm travelling with you! Great pics and slideshow... fingers crossed that rain stays away!

G-Man said...

I travel vicariously thru you Ake..
Thanks!

Unknown said...

Dearest Ake,
I have been see your comments about
missing Dr. John.
I just want to tell you
that I am so sorry for your lost.
You take care of yourself now.
hugs
shakira

Akelamalu said...

Oh Sandi where you going? I hope you enjoy your cruise as much as we enjoyed ours and I'm pleased you're enjoying my travelogue. :)

Well this isn't a rehearsal is it Buff? :)

Quite right too A Lady's Life :)

Definitely Realliveman ;)

Aloha Cloudia x

Cheers Flowerpot x

The rain didn't bother us at all Shrinky, we still had fun. :)

So glad you're enjoying it Eternally Distracted :)

My pleasure G-man x

How kind you are, thankyou Shakira x

the mother of this lot said...

Glad you can still boogie the night away!

Julia Phillips Smith said...

Really enjoyed the slideshow. And thanks for sharing your 'Mega Share-Me Cocktail' - it's making the afternoon at work so much more enjoyable!

Finding Pam said...

Your trip sounds so exciting and from the looks of things, I would say that you are having a grand time.

I love traveling with you.

TBM said...

Ah well, at least the rain is a familiar friend, eh? ;-)

I would have taken the rum punch too! And oh my, that food sounds delicious. They even had Sticky Toffee Pudding!

Akelamalu said...

Yes me too MOTL :)

Don't get into trouble at work for reading of my adventures Julia! :0


We had a fantastic time Pam but it seems an age away now.


LOL of course the rain was better than the snow we'd left behind JAPRA! The food was superb!

Unknown said...

It was if I was there with you. Thank You

cheshire wife said...

I hope that by buying the rain coats that you frightened off the rain for the rest of your cruise!

Akelamalu said...

Glad you enjoyed it Dave :)

You guessed it Cheshire Wife! LOL

Travis Cody said...

We're thinking of booking an Alaskan cruise in the next few years. All last summer I got to watch cruise ships dock and depart every week. I've never been on a cruise, but my appetite was definitely whetted.