Unfotunately we are having a little trouble uploading our photographs on to the blog at the moment.... We've decided therefore just to upload the written updates for now. Rest assured, photos will return as soon as we figure out a way to do so!!!

Cheers, Nesta & Ian

 

 

Monday 31^st December – Kralendijk, Bonaire.

What a memorable New Year’s Eve!!

Enjoyed our meal with the Captain, whom Nesta was sitting next to – lucky man! Whilst the other side of the table talked about the global financial markets and the fiscal cliff, Barbara (a single lady invited to the meal) and Nesta educated the captain about cannabis and he told us his best (i.e. most stupid) “customer complaints”

Incidentally, for our kind critics who have made some comments about this blog… you know who you are, Rob & Margaret J… The captain told us that when he is ashore and is asked what he does for a living always replies.. “I drive a ship and my job is to park and unpark it”

The party on the Lido deck was great. They played music 20+ years more recent than their usual set and nearly everyone danced!

At midnight the city had a massive fireworks display and they were fantastic.

Happy 2013…

 

New Year’s Day – Day at sea.

Well – after not finishing partying until 01-30 it was a later start today. We are crossing the middle of the Caribbean from south to north. Winds of 30mph and moderate seas means we are rolling and jumping again which together with dull and showery weather means the complaining lot have started again…

Went to a real eye-opening lecture about the “middle passage” i.e. the taking of the slaves from West Africa to people the New World. Didn’t know that the song “Amazing Grace” was written Rev. Newton who had previously been a slave ship captain and is based on Negro spiritual music.

No pictures today, I’m afraid and we had an early night.

Wednesday 2^nd January – Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Ship parked right in front of the old colonial town. Great piece of reversing by the captain and Nesta told him so when she saw him!

Walked round the old town and saw Columbus’ burial site together with lots of colonial architecture. Really interesting but nor really our thing. Probably wouldn’t come back.

 

Thursday 3^rd January – Day at sea.

Relatively calm today and the weather was sunny and hot. Went to two lectures about Haiti and the slave trade and Jamaica and the buccaneers. Both very interesting. These together with the bridge seminars were the highlights of the day – oh plus the free drinks at the bridge party and Discovery Club… hic! No pictures today either, I’m afraid.

Friday 4^th January – Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Arrived at 7am this morning so here we are at the end of our second cruise already. Been on board now for a month exactly – won’t be long before the kids fly out to join us J