Tag Archives: Caribbean

Rescue At Sea

Rescue of stranded Cuban refugees aboard a raft in the Gulf of Mexico

On the first day of our cruise we were at sea, headed to Costa Maya, Mexico. At some point in the afternoon we started to notice that the ship had slowed and started a big turn. As passengers realized this we started to wonder what was happening, and soon word started to spread that someone had spotted a stranded sailboat.

Soon the captain came on the PA and explained that we had passed a disabled boat and that the passengers were waving for help. It is a maritime rule that the closest vessel is obligated to perform a rescue, and that was us.

Rescue of stranded Cuban refugees aboard a raft in the Gulf of Mexico

While the rescue was taking place, the cruise director kept asking for “no photos or videos,” which is a lost effort when everyone on board is carrying a camera! I took a few photos of the rescue, but they are heavily cropped. The one time on the cruise where I wish I had packed my long lens!

Turns out it wasn’t much of a sailboat. We learned the following day when the rescued people were turned over to Mexican authorities that they were refugees from Cuba, had been at sea for over a month, and had recently run out of food and water.

Rescue of stranded Cuban refugees aboard a raft in the Gulf of Mexico

I can only imagine the desperation that people have that would make them want to undertake such an effort. I am thankful that any ship I sail on has plenty of food and water!

Rescue of stranded Cuban refugees aboard a raft in the Gulf of Mexico

A Slice of Color From Belize

Colorful foliage at Harvest Caye, Norwegian Cruise Line private island in Belize

Kathy & I are in Fredericksburg, TX after our cruise on Norwegian Prima, and I just took time to look at my photos so far. We didn’t get off the ship in Costa Maya, Mexico because we got in to port late and the weather was iffy, which turned out to be the right move because it rained most of the time we were in port!

Our stop in Harvest Caye, Belize was cloudy and overcast, so I didn’t get any “postcard worthy” photos, but I did manage to find some slices of color in this interesting foliage.

I’ve taken a bunch more photos and will get them posted in due time!

Colorful foliage at Harvest Caye, Norwegian Cruise Line private island in Belize
Colorful foliage at Harvest Caye, Norwegian Cruise Line private island in Belize
Colorful foliage at Harvest Caye, Norwegian Cruise Line private island in Belize

Touring Curacao

View of Grote Knip Beach on the island of Curacao

The final stop on our recent cruise was the island of Curacao. Together with Aruba and Bonaire, it forms the ABC islands. Collectively, Curaçao, Aruba, and other Dutch islands in the Caribbean are often called the Dutch Caribbean. Curacao is the largest of the ABC islands in both area and population as well as the largest of the Dutch Caribbean.

For our time on Curacao we booked a private tour with Henry Plaate, a taxi driver who I found on a Curacao tourism website. Henry and I communicated multiple times prior to our visit, and he did a fantastic job in showing us the highlights.

The waves along the northeast (Atlantic) shore were pretty incredible!

Wave action at Boka Tabla, an inlet in Shete Boka National Park, Curacao
Waves crashing on the Atlantic coast at Shete Boka National Park, Curacao

I sometimes have problems with caves, but this one was not too deep, and the photo ops made me forget about any issues. Very cool!

Light rays in a cave at Boka Tabla, an inlet in Shete Boka National Park, Curacao
Light rays in a cave at Boka Tabla, an inlet in Shete Boka National Park, Curacao
Waves crashing in a cave at Boka Tabla, an inlet in Shete Boka National Park, Curacao
Waves crashing in a cave at Boka Tabla, an inlet in Shete Boka National Park, Curacao
Shete Boka National Park, Curacao
Shete Boka National Park, Curacao
Shete Boka National Park, Curacao
Kunuku House near Willemstad, Curacao

Beaches and boats, some of my favorite scenery!

Beach at Playa Grandi, known as a spot for sea turtles and fishing on Curacao
Beach at Playa Grandi, known as a spot for sea turtles and fishing on Curacao
Beach at Playa Grandi, known as a spot for sea turtles and fishing on Curacao
Beach at Playa Grandi, known as a spot for sea turtles and fishing on Curacao
View of Grote Knip Beach on the island of Curacao
Local inhabitant at the Grote Knip Viewpoint on the island of Curacao
View of Santa Martha Bay on the island of Curacao
Flamingos near Jan Kok, Curacao
Downtown Willemstad, Curacao
Celebrity Equinox in Willemstad, Curacao
Tourist train in Willemstad, Curacao
Colorful restroom in downtown Willemstad, Curacao
Downtown Willemstad, Curacao
Dal Toro Restaurant in Willemstad, Curacao
Before…. Whole Snapper at Dal Toro Restaurant in Willemstad, Curacao
After…. Whole Snapper at Dal Toro Restaurant in Willemstad, Curacao
Henry Plaate, our tour guide. At Shete Boka National Park, Curacao
Helipad sailaway from Curacao aboard Celebrity Equinox
One of the critical operations of a cruise ship departure is “letting go the ropes.” These were taken from the helipad during sailaway from Curacao aboard Celebrity Equinox