All posts by Tom Dills

Travel

Ambling Around Antigua

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View from The Lookout, part of the Shirley Heights Military Complex of the Nelsons Dockyard World Heritage Site

On Antigua I was pleasantly reminded of the joy of a pre-arranged private tour with a small group and a knowledgeable local driver/guide. Kathy & I have done this previously – we arrange a tour for just us or for two or three couples, then post on one of the roll call message boards for someone to share the tour with us, splitting the cost. We have met some lovely people that way, since, at least in our experience, people interested in this type of tour are travelers like us. Not photographers necessarily, but people interested in a little slower pace with more details.

In this case, we responded to someone else’s post, and ended up meeting Susan and John, a very nice couple from Indiana. We had lunch with them on one of our sea days to get acquainted. Unfortunately Susan was not able to join us for the actual tour, so there were just three of us plus Emelda, our guide.

We started our tour with a stop at Betty’s Hope Historic Sugar Plantation. We found the remains of an old sugar plantation, with two windmills, and the ruins of several buildings including a still house, where rum was once produced.

Betty’s Hope Historic Sugar Plantation near Pares, Antigua
Betty’s Hope Historic Sugar Plantation near Pares, Antigua
Betty’s Hope Historic Sugar Plantation near Pares, Antigua
Betty’s Hope Historic Sugar Plantation near Pares, Antigua
Betty’s Hope Historic Sugar Plantation near Pares, Antigua

We then proceeded to Devil’s Bridge National Park, a place with crashing waves and a blow hole. The blow hole wasn’t blowing too much during our visit, which likely reflected the lovely weather we were having!  We did get to see a few bursts, however.

Crashing waves at Devil’s Bridge National Park, Antigua
Crashing waves at Devil’s Bridge National Park, Antigua

After Devil’s Bridge it was on to Nelson’s Dockyard, another national park which is known for its marina but is much more. Included within the park is a number of historic sites, including forts, lookouts, beaches, hiking trails and more. We spent quite a bit of time in the various locations, since there was so much to see. It was quite windy at the higher elevations, which made it very pleasant without air conditioning – but hold on to your hat!

Nelsons Dockyard Marina, Antigua
Crossing the Atlantic the hard way – by row boat. Nelsons Dockyard Marina, Antigua
Boats and yachts from around the world. Nelsons Dockyard Marina, Antigua
View of Eric Clapton’s home from The Blockhouse, part of the Nelsons Dockyard World Heritage Site, Antigua
The Blockhouse, part of the Nelsons Dockyard World Heritage Site
The Blockhouse, part of the Nelsons Dockyard World Heritage Site
The Blockhouse, part of the Nelsons Dockyard World Heritage Site
The Lookout, part of the Shirley Heights Military Complex of the Nelsons Dockyard World Heritage Site
The Lookout, part of the Shirley Heights Military Complex of the Nelsons Dockyard World Heritage Site
The Lookout, part of the Shirley Heights Military Complex of the Nelsons Dockyard World Heritage Site

Our last stop was at St. Barnabas Anglican Church. The church is one of the oldest Protestant church buildings in the western hemisphere, dating from the 1670s. The church has a green color due to the high copper content of the stone, which came from a nearby quarry.

St. Barnabas Anglican Church near Liberta, Antigua. One of the oldest Protestant church buildings in the western hemisphere, dating from the 1670s. The church has a green color due to the high copper content of the stone, which came from a nearby quarry.
St. Barnabas Anglican Church near Liberta, Antigua. One of the oldest Protestant church buildings in the western hemisphere, dating from the 1670s. The church has a green color due to the high copper content of the stone, which came from a nearby quarry.

After the church it was back through town and to the ship to prepare for our return to Florida and the end of Cruise #1.

Travel

Lovely St. Lucia

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View of the Pitons from La Villa de Piton Restaurant near Palmiste, St. Lucia

After our visit to Martinique, we traveled about 50 miles south to the island of St. Lucia. St. Lucia also has a bit of French influence, although not to the extent of Martinique.

Boat on the beach in Anse La Raye on the island of St. Lucia
Boat on the beach in Anse La Raye on the island of St. Lucia
Fishing nets hung to dry. Anse La Raye on the island of St. Lucia

St. Lucia is a beautiful, tropical island, featuring The Pitons, the twin mountains that are actually two parts of a huge, now-extinct volcano. The biggest issue with seeing St. Lucia is the continuously winding and undulating roads.

Town of Soufriere on the island of St. Lucia
Town of Anse La Raye on the island of St. Lucia
Town of Castries on the island of St. Lucia

We started our tour sitting in the very back of the bus, and while I don’t usually have trouble with motion sickness, I got so woozy that I asked to sit in the front of the bus. I joked with the driver that if he needed me to help him with the driving I would (although I would be terrified!). 😉  The good part was that I was able to take some photos through the windshield, which was fun and a nice distraction.

Morne Coubaril Estate, Saint Lucia
Morne Coubaril Estate, Saint Lucia
Morne Coubaril Estate, Saint Lucia
Morne Coubaril Estate, Saint Lucia
Morne Coubaril Estate, Saint Lucia
Morne Coubaril Estate, Saint Lucia
Morne Coubaril Estate, Saint Lucia

We had a nice tour, however. Our stop in Anse La Raye reminded me of our first visit, back in 2000. The beach there always has some colorful boats, which make for nice photographs. The downside is the residents that pester you for money, offering to pose for photos. One guy was really annoying, until I told him I didn’t have any money. He walked away and didn’t bother me any more.

Toraille Waterfall, Saint Lucia

We stopped for lunch at a nice restaurant with a great view of The Pitons. After lunch we visited a waterfall and a cocoa plantation, where we tasted some roasted cocoa beans and fresh coconut. Yum! On the way back to the ship we passed a parade celebrating St. Lucias 44th year of independence.

Parade celebrating St. Lucias 44th year of independence. Near Castries, St. Lucia
Parade celebrating St. Lucias 44th year of independence. Near Castries, St. Lucia
Go. Road construction on St. Lucia near Castries

St. Lucia is a beautiful island, but I was reminded that the next visit we should take a boat, instead of a van on those winding roads! 🙂

Bus tour on the island of St. Lucia
Cruise port in Canaries, St. Lucia

 

Travel

Food, Flowers and Faith: Martinique, Part 3

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Lunch stop at La Chaudiere Restaurant in Le Mourne Rouge, Martinique

After our rum tasting we proceeded to La Chaudiere Restaurant for a nice lunch. We had some tasty baked chicken with plantain, rice & peas and other yummy sides, along with some French wine and coffee with dessert. After that, we yawned our way to Jardin de Balata Botanical Gardens to walk the grounds and enjoy the tropical plant life. After that we visited The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Balata. The church reminded me a bit of some of the churches we visited in Italy.

Lunch stop at La Chaudiere Restaurant in Le Mourne Rouge, Martinique

There aren’t too many cruises that visit Martinique (yet) but we really enjoyed our time there. Next time I might plan a longer visit to the distillery and perhaps more time checking out the scenery and some of the small villages we passed through on our bus. The lack of flexibility being one of the downsides of a ship tour.

Lunch stop at La Chaudiere Restaurant in Le Mourne Rouge, Martinique
Lunch stop at La Chaudiere Restaurant in Le Mourne Rouge, Martinique
Lunch stop at La Chaudiere Restaurant in Le Mourne Rouge, Martinique
Lunch stop at La Chaudiere Restaurant in Le Mourne Rouge, Martinique
Lunch stop at La Chaudiere Restaurant in Le Mourne Rouge, Martinique
Jardin de Balata Botanical Gardens in Fort-de-France, Martinique
Hummingbirds at Jardin de Balata Botanical Gardens in Fort-de-France, Martinique
Hummingbirds at Jardin de Balata Botanical Gardens in Fort-de-France, Martinique
Jardin de Balata Botanical Gardens in Fort-de-France, Martinique
Jardin de Balata Botanical Gardens in Fort-de-France, Martinique
Jardin de Balata Botanical Gardens in Fort-de-France, Martinique
Jardin de Balata Botanical Gardens in Fort-de-France, Martinique
Jardin de Balata Botanical Gardens in Fort-de-France, Martinique
Jardin de Balata Botanical Gardens in Fort-de-France, Martinique
Jardin de Balata Botanical Gardens in Fort-de-France, Martinique
Jardin de Balata Botanical Gardens in Fort-de-France, Martinique
Jardin de Balata Botanical Gardens in Fort-de-France, Martinique
Jardin de Balata Botanical Gardens in Fort-de-France, Martinique
Jardin de Balata Botanical Gardens in Fort-de-France, Martinique
Jardin de Balata Botanical Gardens in Fort-de-France, Martinique
Jardin de Balata Botanical Gardens in Fort-de-France, Martinique
Jardin de Balata Botanical Gardens in Fort-de-France, Martinique
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Balata, Martinique
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Balata, Martinique
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Balata, Martinique
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Balata, Martinique
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Balata, Martinique
Bicycle taxi in Fort-de-France, Martinique
Travel

Did Someone Say Rum? Martinique, Part 2

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Distillerie Depaz, rum distillery in St-Pierre, Martinique

The next stop on our Martinique tour was the Depaz Rhum Distillery. Now this was pretty nice rum, and the facility has some very historic origins. There was plenty to see and photograph there. The taste of rum was good, but was pretty skimpy, however.

Distillerie Depaz, rum distillery in St-Pierre, Martinique

I didn’t end up bringing home any ‘liquid souvenirs’ from this trip. Unfortunately the cruise lines are strict about bringing liquor on board. And while I could have brought it onto the ship from the port on this cruise, the rules would prevent me from taking it on the next ship. Strange but there is no getting around it – I asked ahead of time!

Distillerie Depaz, rum distillery in St-Pierre, Martinique
Distillerie Depaz, rum distillery in St-Pierre, Martinique
Distillerie Depaz, rum distillery in St-Pierre, Martinique
Distillerie Depaz, rum distillery in St-Pierre, Martinique
Trees at the Depaz Rhum Distillery on the Island of Martinique
Distillerie Depaz, rum distillery in St-Pierre, Martinique
Distillerie Depaz, rum distillery in St-Pierre, Martinique
Distillerie Depaz, rum distillery in St-Pierre, Martinique
Distillerie Depaz, rum distillery in St-Pierre, Martinique
Distillerie Depaz, rum distillery in St-Pierre, Martinique
Distillerie Depaz, rum distillery in St-Pierre, Martinique
Distillerie Depaz, rum distillery in St-Pierre, Martinique
Distillerie Depaz, rum distillery in St-Pierre, Martinique
Photography

Out Of The Ashes: Martinique, Part 1

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Approaching the cruise terminal in Port de France, Martinique aboard Celebrity Equinox

Our stop in Martinique was our first visit to this lovely island, so we made the best of it by taking an all-day ship tour. Over the course of 8 hours we visited: the ruins from a 1902 volcanic eruption, a rum distillery, a local restaurant for authentic Creole-influenced island cuisine, a botanical garden, and to balance off the rum distillery, a church.

Approaching the cruise terminal in Port de France, Martinique aboard Celebrity Equinox

For length, I have divided the photo highlights from Martinique over 3 posts. The first one covers our approach to the island and our visit to the ruins and the Musée Frank A. Perret, memorial to the Catastrophe of 1902 in St-Pierre.

Musée Frank A. Perret, memorial to the Catastrophe of 1902 in St-Pierre, Martinique
Musée Frank A. Perret, memorial to the Catastrophe of 1902 in St-Pierre, Martinique
Musée Frank A. Perret, memorial to the Catastrophe of 1902 in St-Pierre, Martinique
Musée Frank A. Perret, memorial to the Catastrophe of 1902 in St-Pierre, Martinique
Musée Frank A. Perret, memorial to the Catastrophe of 1902 in St-Pierre, Martinique
Musée Frank A. Perret, memorial to the Catastrophe of 1902 in St-Pierre, Martinique
Cachot de Cyparis, ruins of a 19th Century Theater and Prison, both destroyed in the volcanic eruption of 1902
Cachot de Cyparis, ruins of a 19th Century Theater and Prison, both destroyed in the volcanic eruption of 1902
Cachot de Cyparis, ruins of a 19th Century Theater and Prison, both destroyed in the volcanic eruption of 1902
Cachot de Cyparis, ruins of a 19th Century Theater and Prison, both destroyed in the volcanic eruption of 1902
Cachot de Cyparis, ruins of a 19th Century Theater and Prison, both destroyed in the volcanic eruption of 1902
Cachot de Cyparis, ruins of a 19th Century Theater and Prison, both destroyed in the volcanic eruption of 1902
Cachot de Cyparis, ruins of a 19th Century Theater and Prison, both destroyed in the volcanic eruption of 1902
Cachot de Cyparis, ruins of a 19th Century Theater and Prison, both destroyed in the volcanic eruption of 1902
St-Pierre, Martinique
St-Pierre, Martinique
St-Pierre, Martinique
Travel

A Stop At St. Kitts

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Tour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. Kitts

We don’t always do tours on the islands we visit, but there were several where we found something interesting to do. On St. Kitts, we took a ship tour to the Fairview Great House and Botanical Gardens for a guided visit to the estate and rum tasting. Yum!

Rum tasting during our tour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. Kitts

The rum was pretty good, but it was all flavored rum, which is not my thing. We didn’t mind the tastes, though! 🙂

Tour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. Kitts
Tour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. Kitts
Tour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. Kitts
Tour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. Kitts
Tour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. Kitts
Tour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. Kitts
Tour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. Kitts
Tour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. Kitts
Tour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. Kitts
Tour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. Kitts
Tour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. Kitts
Tour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. Kitts
Tour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. Kitts
Tour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. Kitts
Welcome to St. Kitts!
Sailaway from St. Kitts on the helipad of Celebrity Equinox
Travel

Sailing From Fort Lauderdale, Part 1

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Drawbridge carrying 17th Street/US A1A over the Stranahan River in Fort Lauderdale

Kathy & I enjoy cruises that depart from Fort Lauderdale, and we’ve done a bunch of them. The airport is close enough to the cruise port that you can see the top of the ships from the concourse. It’s an easy flight from Charlotte and the schedules usually provide plenty of choices for flights.

Drawbridge carrying 17th Street/US A1A over the Stranahan River in Fort Lauderdale

We generally arrive in Fort Lauderdale the day before a cruise and stay at a hotel along 17th Street, which crosses the Intracoastal Waterway via a drawbridge that provides a nice view of the cruise port and all of the big money yachts that sail in and out of the harbor. More money than I’ll ever have!

Drawbridge carrying 17th Street/US A1A over the Stranahan River in Fort Lauderdale

Departing the port is always fun, because a number of the residents of the high rise condos near the opening to the sea will stand outside, wave banners, blow horns and generally say ‘bon voyage.’ One of the residents even has a webcam where he will upload footage to a website and you can watch yourself sail by. Some cruise passengers go so far as to bring their own banners, wear bright colored clothing and make a point of standing on the Port (left) side of the ship facing the camera.

Yachts docked in the marina along the Stranahan River in Fort Lauderdale
Yachts docked in the marina along the Stranahan River in Fort Lauderdale
Yachts docked in the marina along the Stranahan River in Fort Lauderdale

Since we did a back-to-back sailing on the same ship, Celebrity Equinox, we returned to Fort Lauderdale 10 days later, so Part 2 will have some of the photos from our “turnaround day.”

View of the Port Everglades Cruise Port in Fort Lauderdale
View of the Port Everglades Cruise Port in Fort Lauderdale
New construction along 17th Street in Fort Lauderdale
Departing Port Everglades aboard Celebrity Equinox
Shadows on the Promenade Deck during departure from Port Everglades aboard Celebrity Equinox
Departing Port Everglades aboard Celebrity Equinox
How many motors are enough?
Pilot boat during our departure from Port Everglades aboard Celebrity Equinox
Postcards

Postcard From Belize

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High Temple, a Mayan structure at Lamanai Archaeological Reserve, Belize

While in Belize we took a ship tour to the Lamanai Archaeological Reserve, a site consisting of the remains of several Mayan temples and other structures from Mayan times. It was a fascinating tour and I even got to climb one of the pyramids (not this one)! You can get a sense of the size of this temple by finding the worker – about halfway up, just to the right of the stairs – doing restoration work.

This is the last Postcard from our voyages, as Belize was the last port where we got off the ship. We have visited Cozumel numerous times, and while Grand Cayman is very nice, it is another port where the ship does not dock. A “tender port” is where one of the ship’s tenders or a larger boat from shore is needed to get onto the land. In both cases we decided to enjoy a mostly empty ship.

More photos to follow!

Postcards

Postcard From Key West

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The Sunset Pier Bar in Key West, Florida

We made it home from sunny Florida to gray and cloudy Charlotte yesterday (Saturday) afternoon. I’ve got my photos downloaded and should be able to start on some editing and processing over the next few days. We were gone a while, so there are a few more important things to do as well.

The first stop on our third cruise, aboard Celebrity Apex, was in Key West, FL. We pretty much wandered around looking for photos, and I kind of liked the repetition of all the tables along this pier. I’m certain the scene would be a lot different at sunset, but early in the morning I was able to get the tables and umbrellas all in a line, mostly uninterrupted by tourists!