4:45am - Barbados

We are docking right now - everything packed - anthony still in bed...closed the casino and cashed out my $95 in chips - wooohoooo!

Great trip - another 12 hours to create memories and disturb the locals.

See ya all soon.

Last Day

Went into Rouseau, Dominica for an hour - intermitent downpours - island is beautiful - moutainous, waterfalls, rivers, rain forests...but we decided to head back to the boat - pool time...packing...folks we met on the boat who live in Barbados...our final stop have offered to take us to their house for the day before we have to be at the airport...could not be more hospitable - he made me drink tequila shots at the bar with him!

We taught everyone how to do the "pawsy" in the pool but we now caall it the "bouncy, bouncy"...sounds tupid, I know...but good story behind it.

When leaving there was this great rainbow that went straight into the water.  Not really into rainbows but after shots of tequila I'm into teddy bears....

Paula?  Anthony asked me to find out where my car is?  You two have a great time.

Roseau, Dominica

We have arrived in Dominica.  Beause of the hurricaine many ships are being diverted and we often see one in the distance.

Last night we made the rounds with new firends.  Here is Anthony with some Brits, Julia and Philip (Julia's husband John is not pictured) that we have spent some time with.

We had dinner in the jazz supper club with Jan and Jan.  Here I am with one of the Jan's.  He is the Fire Chief for Greater Stockholm.  He and his partner are having lunch with the friggin KING AND QUEEN OF SWEEDEN when they get home.  Have you ever talked with someone who could ACTUALLY say something like that?!   LOL  They are great guys, have a boat of a similar size to ours and will be visiting us in Boston in the spring.

Last day today.  Hopefully we'll find a beach and bar for lunch.

We arrive home Saturday at midnight.  Looking forward to going home, hugging Nikki, and doing laundry!

St. John, Anguila

Getting the tail end of Hurricane Tomas - intermitent rain with strong winds - we did a tour of the island on Segways - there were 9 passengers who were able to be disconnected from their oxygen and feeding tubes to take this excursion.  We had a balll - it rained hard at times but we had fun - toured historical sights and the beaches - they did not let us drink alcohol at our beverage stops but we made up for it when we got back to the ship -we are having a great time but Anthony is concerned about Nikki and I am anxious about work.

I saw this sign on a street here - they obviously have a problem with this type of activity in Anguila!

A number of ships have had to change their itinerary because of the hurricane so there are two additional ships in port that got diverted from St. Lucia.  Rick and Jill are therecruise now headed there - I wonder where they will wind up.  We have made friends with Nigel - his family has lived in Barbados since the early 1700's and knows all the islands well - he is our personal travel guide for this trip and little does he know for every trip to the Carribean in the future!

Antigua

It is 6am and just arrived in Antigua.  We are taking a Segway tour of the island today - can't wait to see the photos.  Yesterday there was the boatbuilding competition and the staff tug of war competition.  It was great fun.  Anthony and I had dinner in the fancy resaurant last night in our tuxedos.  You can see that Anthony did laundry in his formal wear before hand!

You can see Anthony in the pool entertaining other guests - here he is doing "pawssy" - we'll explain when we get home but Paula knows the story already.

I've included a photo of the Provisions staff team - they wore uniforms that were emblazened with - "We're French but not on strike!"

The group of young kids are the enteretainment staff - they were on my water volleyball team and we one each day.  The boat in the pool was their poor excuse for a boat but it wound up holding 75 full cans of soda.

Ship is great.  All the latest technology.  For a ship with only 500 passengers there are 7 dinning options, good library, 5 bars but only adequate fitness center. Service is unbelievable.  They say 6 star service and I would have to agree that it is.

The captain is a great guy that commands incredible respect.  Every day he talks for 15 minutes about where we are, what happened overnight, the affects of the hurricane on our itinerary.  He is always out and about as are the rest of the senior staff.

Tuesday - Bartender contest and evening outdoor dining with show

Great day as usual yesterday - by not having any ports to call on there are not many decisions to be made outside of where to put the towel down, where and what to eat and drink.  They had a bartender contest and our favorite bartender - Garreth - won hands down due to our cheering.  In the evening there was outdoor dining with a show - followed by outdoor disco dancing.  We went into the supper club afterwards to hear a great blues singer.

Another day at sea

Another great day.  folks have said they have never had a crossing with such consistent weather - I guess we lucked out.  We've loved the days at sea - nin the afternoono decisions to make since you can't leave the ship - still having trouble with uploading photos.

We play water volleyball with the staff.  Lot's of fun.  We  gather for drinks and everyone does their thing for dinner then we gather afterwards for a show, lounge act, or the casino.

We got word from the captain that the hurricaine has damaged the port at St. Lucia and so we will be changing destinations and go to Dominica instead.

Still in the Atlantic

Internet  connection is very poor - cannot upload photos - ship has changed course slightly given weather conditions in the Carribean - we have been lounging around the pool all day - playing water volleyball against the staff every afternoon.  Food is great - too much of course.

We got all the "Friends oif Dorothy" together last evening.  About 40 folks from around the world.  We had a great time and we'll have morre fun at the pool today.  There is a big outdoor BBQ today with entertainment around the pool this evening.  Hopefully I'll be able to add photos to the blog.