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, MartiniqueMusée Frank A. Perret, memorial to the Catastrophe of 1902 in St-Pierre, MartiniqueMusée Frank A. Perret, memorial to the Catastrophe of 1902 in St-Pierre, MartiniqueMusée Frank A. Perret, memorial to the Catastrophe of 1902 in St-Pierre, MartiniqueMusée Frank A. Perret, memorial to the Catastrophe of 1902 in St-Pierre, MartiniqueMusée Frank A. Perret, memorial to the Catastrophe of 1902 in St-Pierre, MartiniqueCachot de Cyparis, ruins of a 19th Century Theater and Prison, both destroyed in the volcanic eruption of 1902Cachot de Cyparis, ruins of a 19th Century Theater and Prison, both destroyed in the volcanic eruption of 1902Cachot de Cyparis, ruins of a 19th Century Theater and Prison, both destroyed in the volcanic eruption of 1902Cachot de Cyparis, ruins of a 19th Century Theater and Prison, both destroyed in the volcanic eruption of 1902Cachot de Cyparis, ruins of a 19th Century Theater and Prison, both destroyed in the volcanic eruption of 1902Cachot de Cyparis, ruins of a 19th Century Theater and Prison, both destroyed in the volcanic eruption of 1902Cachot de Cyparis, ruins of a 19th Century Theater and Prison, both destroyed in the volcanic eruption of 1902Cachot de Cyparis, ruins of a 19th Century Theater and Prison, both destroyed in the volcanic eruption of 1902St-Pierre, MartiniqueSt-Pierre, MartiniqueSt-Pierre, Martinique
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. KittsTour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. KittsTour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. KittsTour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. KittsTour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. KittsTour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. KittsTour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. KittsTour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. KittsTour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. KittsTour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. KittsTour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. KittsTour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. KittsTour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. KittsTour of Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. KittsWelcome to St. Kitts!Sailaway from St. Kitts on the helipad of Celebrity Equinox
For another dollar we’ll make it a smoothie. Kralendijk, Bonaire
Just being lazy. I’m most of the way through the photos from our last trip, but trying to get them all done before I start posting. In case anyone wondered about me, here is a quick post to confirm I’m still around! 🙂
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!
Waterfront area near the cruise terminal in Cozumel, Mexico
We don’t usually get too excited about Cozumel, because we have been there a number of times and have done most of the touristy things. We don’t go to the beach, so that leaves out a lot of activities.
Sunrise in Cozumel, Mexico aboard Norwegian Prima
On this recent cruise, Cozumel ended up being our only stop, so we decided to at least get off the ship and have a drink or two. Thanks to The Google, I located a bar and restaurant called The Thirsty Cougar which was a short walk from the cruise dock.
The Thirsty Cougar Bar in Cozumel, MexicoThe Thirsty Cougar Bar in Cozumel, MexicoThe Thirsty Cougar Bar in Cozumel, Mexico
My usual Mexican libation is a Paloma instead of the traditional Margarita. A Paloma is made with tequila and grapefruit soda, and I like the combination. The Thirsty Cougar also does an awesome Margarita, as I was assured by our friends who sampled some. They also do a mean Nacho platter!
Guitar players entertaining at The Thirsty Cougar Bar in Cozumel, MexicoGuitar players entertaining at The Thirsty Cougar Bar in Cozumel, MexicoGuitar players entertaining at The Thirsty Cougar Bar in Cozumel, Mexico
When visiting Cozumel on a Norwegian ship, it docks in the downtown area where a lot of the restaurants are. Many of the other lines dock at a different terminal about 3 miles away. There are restaurants there, too. But in my mind The Thirsty Cougar might just be worth the taxi fare! 🙂
Waterfront area near the cruise terminal in Cozumel, MexicoWaterfront area near the cruise terminal in Cozumel, MexicoWaterfront area near the cruise terminal in Cozumel, MexicoWaterfront area near the cruise terminal in Cozumel, MexicoWaterfront area near the cruise terminal in Cozumel, MexicoWaterfront area near the cruise terminal in Cozumel, MexicoMy Friends Call Me Chip. Waterfront area near the cruise terminal in Cozumel, Mexico
Oasis of the Seas and Celebrity Beyond in Saint Martin
On the island of St. Martin, it had been a few years since we took the time to visit the capital of Philipsburg, so we took the water taxi from the cruise port and spent a few hours there. While the buildings show a hint of old Dutch architecture. we find that most of the businesses are bars, jewelry stores run by non-St. Martians, and hotels. Go to the beach or shop is about it. Or take pictures. 🙂
Riding the ferry between the cruise port and downtown Phillipsburg, Saint Martin
St. Martin is best experienced on an island tour with an experienced guide, a trip to a nice beach or a lunch at a restaurant on the French side. We have done this many times in the past and it is a much better time! We just didn’t want to do it this time.
Riding the ferry between the cruise port and downtown Phillipsburg, Saint MartinHats. Phillipsburg, Saint MartinPhillipsburg, Saint MartinPhillipsburg, Saint MartinPhillipsburg, Saint MartinPhillipsburg, Saint MartinPhillipsburg, Saint MartinPhillipsburg, Saint MartinPhillipsburg, Saint MartinPhillipsburg, Saint Martin
St. Kitts is another of those islands we’ve been to numerous times, and more often than not choose to stay on or close to the ship instead of trudging around the island with the rest of the tourists. This is another place where we got off the ship long enough to stretch our legs, visit a store we wanted to go to, and take a few photos. It’s easy to spend an hour or so then get back to the ship before all the pool chairs are claimed! 😉
Holland America Rotterdam and Celebrity Constellation in Basseterre, Saint KittsShades of Lieutenant Ilia (Star Trek reference)? Mannequins. Basseterre, Saint KittsShades of Lieutenant Ilia (Star Trek reference)? Mannequins. Basseterre, Saint KittsBasseterre, Saint Kitts
Arriving in San Juan, Puerto Rico aboard Celebrity Constellation
San Juan, Puerto Rico is our favorite cruise ship destination, and for many reasons. We love walking around Old San Juan and have discovered a number of interesting nooks and crannies, some fun shops with local wares, as well as a few restaurants to get some local cuisine.
Passing Castillo San Felipe del Morro on approach to San Juan, Puerto Rico aboard Celebrity Constellation
But the highlight of any visit to San Juan is sailing past Castillo San Felipe del Morro. Also referred to simply as El Morro (The Promontory), it is a citadel (or fortress) built between 16th and 18th centuries at the entrance of San Juan harbor.
Arriving in San Juan, Puerto Rico aboard Celebrity Constellation
Most sailings from Florida arrive in San Juan in the late morning or early afternoon, as it is often the first port and it takes a couple of days to sail there. As it happened on this most recent visit, our 7am arrival coincided with sunrise, and I just happened to be up early enough to hit the outside decks in time. I was rewarded with a fabulous sunrise and wonderful early light on the buildings of the city.
Passing the US Coast Guard Station while arriving in San Juan, Puerto Rico aboard Celebrity Constellation
We spent some time off the ship and walking around, and I’ll highlight those photos in another post or two.
Passing Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Regional Airport during our arrival in San Juan, Puerto Rico aboard Celebrity ConstellationArriving in San Juan, Puerto Rico aboard Celebrity Constellation
We were sitting at breakfast one morning, waiting for our food. I was looking up at the dining room ceiling and decided to take a few pictures. A really nice man at the table next to me turned and asked, “could I see what you were taking pictures of?” I showed him the screen on my camera, and I can’t remember exactly what he said, but it was something like “fascinating” or “interesting” or “excuse me I need to go now.” Just kidding about the last one. 😉
Like most of us, I’m always on the lookout for interesting shadows. Here are a few from our recent visit to Biltmore.
Connected or disconnected? Biltmore House
One of the things that fascinates me about photography is that often the best photographs are the ones that require the least “work.” In terms of both effort and of processing.
Exterior lamp. Biltmore HouseLamp. Biltmore HouseGrain cradle shadows on the wall of the Village Hotel at BiltmoreCeiling light fixture in the hallway of the Village Hotel at Biltmore House and GardensTrails around Bass Lake on the Biltmore Estate.
