Bridgetown, Barbados
Skip Barbados! Don’t bother to leave the port… good wifi and free there!
Marty Henne Dinner at the Pinnacle
Outstanding! One of those evenings which will remain in your memory forever!! The food was extraordinary while the entertainment superb! Marty Henne played songs by Johnny Mercer interspersed with tales about the man. The menu was: Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho; Fois Gras; Dungouness Crab Linguine; Grassa d Corn Fed Beed with Tiger Prawn; and Chocolate Purse with Gelato (I wanted to lick my plate but restrained myself). Pam, Sandy, Maren, and I made plans to meet in New York City the end of October, 2015, and try to recreate this marvelous evening!!
Castries, St. Lucia
Initially I couldn’t remember if I had been to this port previously, but as soon as I stepped off the ship, I recognized it. I took a 4 hour tour ($27 US) of the island with Jeff, Joy, Pat, and four others. It turned out to be a repeat of one I had done previously!!
One Stop Radio Show at the Pinnacle
This script written by Gene Young apparently replaced the Mystery Dinner theme dinner held on other ships. Bring back the mystery!! Although I laughed and enjoyed the evening somewhat…. it paled compared to the Marty Henne dinner the previous evening. The cast were the members of the entertainment staff. I especially enjoyed Emily Butler from the Exploration Cafe (library), Kevin Stephens as the Unenthusiastic Boy (and leader of Pub Trivia), and Barbara Haenni (the location guide). Pat seemed to laugh as much as me; however, Sandy and Maren were not amused. The menu was: Home-Style Potato Salad (and unusual appetizer choice but one which I enjoyed); New England Clam Chowder in Sourdough Cup (this could have been a meal); Meatloaf with Redskin Potato Mash, Green Pease and Carrots, Gravy and Fried Onions; Butterscotch Sundae with Four Toppings. The favors were old time transistor radios…. I plan to put mine on the dash of my golf cart.
Roseau, Dominica
Finally an island I have never visited and one to which I’d love to return!! Settlement of the “nature island” dates back to the 16th Century by the French. It was taken over by the British in the late 18th Century. Both French and British colonial architecture survive on the island. Jill and I took a three hour tour of the island with four other passengers. We saw the Middleham Falls, Titou Gorge, Botanic Gardens, hot springs, spectacular views, more falls, and gorgeous natural beauty. Perhaps because there is no direct air flights to the island from the USA, it remains pretty much unspoiled.
Phillipsburg, St. Maarten
Having been abandoned by the Spanish in the mid 17th Century, the French and the Dutch moved in and divided the island, with the French getting more (21 square miles) than the Dutch (16 square miles). Besides this, the Dutch came out ahead economically by creating the first duty free port on the island. It is the shopping island!
April 25 — My Birthday!
Maren gave a birthday party for me in her veranda suite. Joan, Pam, Joe, Jill, and Sandy helped me celebrate. It was a perfect way to commemorate another year.
Shipboard Life
Pam, Sandy, and I finally came in second in Pub Trivia. We had a standing ovation!
The Amsterdam Singers performed in a Broadway Review written and produced by themselves. It was the best show they have given on the voyage.
Although exhausted from the day and my birthday party, I made an effort to attend the show in the Queen’s Lounge because the performance was by Shirley Dominquez playing Latin music on the harp. My grandniece Sophia is a harpist so I wanted to be able to tell her about the show.
Last Two Days Before the End
The last two sea days will be spent packing… and packing… and packing! Plus the Captain’s Farewell Champagne Reception, the Dam Dollar Redemption, and Goodbyes!! Plus the highlight show: Rita Rudner, one of the top comedians!
Travel the World with Suzie 