Our Caribbean Odyssey

After resisting the idea of a cruise for decades, our recent Caribbean odyssey was actually the second time we embarked on the beautiful ship Explora 1.

In September I was persuaded to take a short break down the Croatian coast and, although my fear of water was not instantly dissipated, our latest 14 day indulgence confirmed the safety, stability and luxury of Explora Journeys and I loved it! 

My fear that all cruise ships are crowded and hectic was laid to rest, Explora 1 is elegant, offers ocean-front suites throughout and carries only around 650 guests! 

Taking afternoon tea one day, I counted only 12 people in a huge beautifully appointed lounge as we were served an array of sweets and savourites fit to grace a French patisserie. We could almost have been on a private yacht!

Charlotte Amelie, St Thomas

We savoured the delights of the ship for 2 days while the temperature gently rose to Caribbean highs. On the third day we reached the pretty island of St Thomas. 

To break us in gently, we'd advanced booked a sedate tour of the island. Our 3 hour trip gave amazing photo opportunities and breath-taking views from the 1500 feet high summit of St Peter Mountain, Drake's Seat and Sapphire Bay. Magens Bay (left below) is considered one of the premier beaches in the world. 

In retrospect we wish we'd been a little more adventurous visiting the Fort, attempting to scale the 99 steps and able to enjoy more of the history and the colonial architecture. But we learned an important lesson, tourism is important to these islands and the local guides/drivers are exactly the same no matter how you book - and you'll receive a heck of a history lesson! 

Road Bay, Anguilla

Oh Anguilla, what a jewel! We were shipped in via tender to land on a white beach lapped by turquoise sea in an unspoilt paradise! 

We paddled in the Caribbean, enjoyed a rum punch at Elvis's beach bar (obviously the hotspot) and adored the fact that there was hardly anyone there! Anchored in a quiet bay with just a sprinkle of 'super yachts' we were able to walk along the beach nodding a good morning to a few people from our ship. We were enchanted by the laid-back attitude of law and order! (see below)

There are plans to build a mega yacht marine with hotel on Anguilla to provide much needed local jobs although they will incorporate advanced environmental protection. Just hope they don't spoil it too much!

From the previous day we learned that, with the heat, 3 hours or so was enough for us and we returned for a late onboard lunch.   

Point a Pitre, Guadaloupe

Guadalupe comprises of two main islands and we docked in the natural harbor of Pointe a Pitre on the largest, opposite some beautiful pastel colored buildings, elegantly French.

It was overcast and drizzly so we had a leisurely breakfast looking forward to the lively creole culture in the town that was apparently easy to explore on foot. But it turned out to be the only time we didn't disembark!

As it happened while chatting to one of the officers aboard we were fortunate enough to be invited to tour the bridge with the Captain and visit the Engine Control room; so even though we didn't get off the ship it was a fascinating day.  The technology involved in the sailing of a large ship is unbelievable!  

My photo shows the exterior of the Bridge, security prevents anything more. 

Marigot, St Martin

Both my daughter and best friend recommended St Martin although we knew it had suffered from a severe hurricane a few years ago. What we didn't know was that it was jointly owned by the Dutch and the French and the Dutch side is considerably more affluent than it's counterpart.

We landed on the quiet French side and, although we weren't looking for affluence, we did look forward to seeing the market and the colorful Creole houses which are a sense of pride for the residents. I spoke to a gentleman on his veranda who told me that most of the colored houses were damaged in the hurricane and there was no market because there were no cruise ships in (!). 

There were no taxis around and I wished we'd booked a tour in advance, so there was little we could contribute to the local economy. Then rounding a corner we saw 'the bar', you probably know I play piano, and although it said 'ouvert' it most definitely was not. The wobbly piano emmitted not a peep; obviously the gorilla got there first! However, we left Marigot with a smile! 

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Oh my word we loved San Juan! The historic capital of Puerto Rico was possibly the highlight of our Caribbean odyssey with it's elegant European looking 'old town' reminding us of Barcelona. Unsurprising, as it was part of the Spanish empire until sold to the USA in 1893.  

Paseo dela Princesa, considered one of the most charming esplanades in the world, surrounds the historic city of old San Juan. It begins at the picture-perfect fountain 'Raices' overlooking the sea and the walkway continues with beautiful trees, benches, statues and even a childrens park. At the weekends it can become a market or a dancefloor!

We saw La Fortaleza the oldest of the fortresses, the Catedral de San Juan, beautifully colored houses in the cobbled streets, a pretty street market, the panama hat shop and the tourist office that was once a prison. The most incredible surprise was finding a tiny landscaped garden with statues and fountains in every odd little space and around every corner. Everyone is smiling, it's just a delight! 

Gustavia, St Barts

OMG St Barts is something else! A canopy of cooling trees separates the harbor full of multi-million dollar yachts from the main shopping street and the names over the stores read: Chanel, Longchamp, Cartier, Rolex, Dior, Hermes, Bulgari....  

The street was bustling with shoppers; not with shopping bags per se but with designer carriers or teeny tiny jewelry bags. Money changes hands more quickly than Rodeo Drive! There were few prices in the windows and 'if you have to ask you can't afford it' but in the Bulgari window there was a ring for $410,000!!! 

And yet it's not ostentatious, just pure class! Street style is linen, plain, chic and expensive! 

St John's, Antigua

The first thing our lovely guide Christina said in Antigua was 'St Barts it ain't!!' 

Antigua, still part of the British Commonweath, was obviously not the most affluent island but the people more than make up for it. They are passionate about their homeland and tourism has kept them going since the sugar cane industry proved to be uneconomic in the 70's. 

There's a feeling of home as we reached Nelson's Dockyard now a UNESCO World Heritage site. At the end of the tour we climbed aboard 'Horatio', a former lifeboat with an English skipper who had problems launching it while avoiding a shiny neighbouring yacht. By the time we were afloat a storm had come in and the rain, ignoring the tarpaulin roof, came in sideways. Everyone was dripping and begged to be taken back. The locals value the rain and call it 'liquid sunshine'!

On dry land once more we were given a rum punch and continued to drip dry on our return journey to the ship! Fortunately, it wasn't a problem in the heat and, in fact, the shared experience got everyone talking and laughing together!

Note the first pic, a promontory just like an alligator! 

Basseterre, St Kitts

St Kitts is teeming with wildlife and domestic animals too all over the road! There is a local railway originally used to transport sugar but, apparently, it has frequent problems so we chose a local driver Antony who kept us entertained and hugely informed about the natural landcape and history of his homeland.

As we looked across to St Kitt's smaller neighbour, Nevis, we had the Atlantic ocean on one side and the Caribbean on the other; who knew? 

The memory that remains is of the Wingfield Estate, an old sugar plantation that's part of the central reserve rainforest with lush greenery, birds, monkeys and the sound of trickling water. The original rum distillery was discovered in 2013 after being buried for many years and remarkably most of the masonry is still intact.  

It's easy to imagine how the rainforest could easily once more swallow it up! 

Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

In Virgin Gorda we shared our local transport, a small open sided bus, with new friends Joe and Coralie from Texas which made it fun. OK a little bumpy but with tropical temperatures the breeze is welcome! From one scenic highspot we could see Neckar and Mosquito Islands both owned by Richard Branson! 

The most famous attraction is The Baths; a unique volcanic landscape where huge granite boulders have created caves with natural tidal pools, tunnels, arches, and scenic grottoes. We didn't go down to the caves but it was inexpensive to do so. The higher surroundings, were beautifully landscaped and maintained with classy shops, a restaurant and a small pool. 

The white egrets are regarded as a sign of good fortune and wisdom in Virgin Gorda. 

With a taste of the locally bottled rum, Virgin Gorda brought our Caribbean odyssey to a close but with 2 sea days of exceptional food and service on Explora 1 to look forward to, no hardship! 

Please note...

Any quick visit cannot do justice to these Caribbean islands, it's merely given us a taster and encouraged us to visit again. We found many videos on You Tube which will give you an idea of what you can expect on each island.   

There are, of course, upmarket hotels on each and every island too, one couple from our ship had arranged a day at a Marriott hotel!

I'll just say that this was our wonderful Caribbean odyssey, no sponsorship is attached!

Explora 1 afternoon teatime