SHIP'S LOG IN THE CARIBBEAN

Day 1, 8:30 AM

The early morning sun bounced off the billowing clouds below and all around, making them look like piles of white cotton balls, all fluffy and pure, as we climbed through them to cruise at 33,000 feet.  Fog and mist were left behind as we entered the heavenly realm of blue sky, winging our way from Dallas to Ft. Lauderdale where we would embark on yet another kind of cruise.  Soon the blue of the sea would match the blue of the sky as we set sail for the Caribbean's balmy clime, leaving the cold behind.

Day 2, 3:00 PM

I look out the window of our spacious stateroom on the ms Westerdam at the brilliant silver path of sunshine reflecting on the undulating sea as we glide through the water at 20 knots.  The sky on the horizon is a misty white with puffs of clouds suspended in the sky.  If I get close to the window and look up, the sky is blue and clear.  In the far distrance is a thin line of islands clinging to the edge of the sea.  Below my window the white froth made by our movement floats by in the swells.  There is a gentle swaying motion and a steady hum of the engines as we plow our way through the Caribbean toward St. Martin.  My first 24 hours on board has been busy.  And I have opted to seek the quietness of my cabin this afternoon for a much needed nap prior to the Captain's champagne reception and gala dinner tonight.

Day 3, 4:30 PM

What made me think I could just relax for a week and catch up on  my reading?  Perhaps I should take a freighter next time if that's what I want to do.  there is so much going on when one is aboard a cruise liner.  No way to even fit in the things that interest me.  Good thing I took a nap yesterday.  It helped keep me going to the wee hours.                           The Captain's champagne reception brought out so many sequined and jeweled gowns, it made my head swim.  The gala dinner offered delicious choices.  I began with Escargots Bourguigonnes baked in garlic and herb butter, served with toasted French bread.  A wonderful chilled Chayote Vichyssoise topped with cilantro sour cream and green onions followed.  Next came a Caesar salad with garlic croutons and the main course was a succulant Broiled Lobster Tail with drawn butter served with Dauphin potatoes, sauteed cherry tomatoes with garlic and asparagus.  To top it all off was a chocolate tulip for dessert filled with chocolate mousse and raspberries and strawberries in vanilla sauce on th side, all wahed down with a cappucino.                                                                                 Who could ask for anything more?  That is until the midnight buffet.  There was barely time for the evening's featured entertainer (this night a piano player from England named Tom Bond.)  Then dancing to big band sounds in your choice of lounges followed by fun in the karoke bar.  When I finally called it a night, I couldn't go to bed until I had read the daily newsletter slipped under my door telling of the many wonderful options I would have today.                                                               Choices, choices!  Should I play team trivia or go to the investment seminar?  Shall I learn about reflexology and shopping pointers for St. Thomas or take in the movie, "Mission Impossible"?  Will there be time for the movie AND high tea?  My head is swirling trying to fit it all in.  And my stomach is bulding as I stagger back to my room to rest for an hour before dressing for dinner.  Oh, well, I'll rest and read when I get home.

Day 4, 2:45 PM

So peaceful on deck after lunch as we sit anchored offshore at St. Maartin.  The green mountains rise up from the sea.  The bay is rimmed with buildings, most white, some pastels.  Most are one or two stories, some as many as 6 or 7.  This morning our guide, Coco, said that only 15 months ago there was not a leaf left on the island after hurricane Louise hit.  Now it is lush and green again with bright colored bougainvillea scattered here and there.                                                There are two other cruise ships at anchor and several sailboats are plying the waters.  I've elected to let others go into Phillipsburg and bump elbows at the many T-shirt and souvenir shops while I lie in a deck chair soaking in the scenery, reading, perhaps snoozing.  Ah, this is what tropical paradise should be.  Leave hustle and bustle for later.  I've already been from one side of this 37 square mile island to the other this morning. Two countries a day is enough.   If the Dutch and French can live together peacefully on such a small space, why can't the rest of the world live in harmony?     

Day 5, 2:30 PM

Looking down at the emerald water of Megan's Bay from atop the highest mountain on St. Thomas, I reflect on the turquoise and aquamarine shades of Trunk Bay on St. John earlier this morning.  I have read scientific explainations for the intensively beautiful colors of the sea and sky, but it does not lessen the thrill of this visual treat, whatever the reason of colorless water taking on these spectacular hues, the resulting emotion when viewing them remains the same.                                       The cresent of white sand beach lined with palm trees, the smaller islands close to shore, was a perfect setting for an hours swim and sunning on our tour of st. John.  Our driver-guide, Charles Wesley,had kept us upbeat and happy as he showed us the natural beauty of the island that is mostly national park.  From the turpentine tree to the air plant, he showed a detailed knowledge of the flora of the mountainous island and also of the history.                                                                                 Generations of his family have lived there and his love of the island is evident in his presentation.  His friendly and cheerful personality made the tour most enjoyable.  His voice will echo in my memory for a long time as periodically he called out, "Who drives the bus?"  And our response, "Wesley drives the bus!"

Day 6, 3:30 PM

Amazing!  Spectacular!  Unbelievable!  Nothing can describe the display before me in the Queen's Lounge at the Dutch Chocolate Extravanganza.  From mousse to truffles, sticky buns to tortes.  Every imaginable combination of cakes so beautifully decorated.  Delicate swans brimming with fluffy filling.  Chocolate dipped strawberries.  Each item a work of art as well as a taste sensation.  All set off with five sparkling ice sculptures and interspersed with lots of fruit and vegetable flowers and sculptures, centered with an extrvagant fresh flower arrangement.                                                                                         As relaxing piano music drifts over the hum of the crowd, the flash bulbs go off as everyone tries to capture the essence of the delectables before them and the lines form to partrake in this indulgence.  Those with early (6 PM) seating for dinner bemoan the fact there will be little room for the formal farewell dinner and baked Alaska this evening.  Such is life on a Holland America cruise where the average passenger gains a pound a day.

Day 7, 2:15 PM

"March right", the keeper calls and there is a swoosh of pinkish coral flashing by me as a regiment of flamingos obey this command.  "Halt", he shouts and they immediately relax and mill about.  They are rewarded with applause, not food.                                                                      We are seated in a covered, round, open-air arena watching a flock of these colorful birds go through their paces at Ardastra Gardens & Zoo in Nassau on New Providence Island in the Bahamas.  Only the males are performing today as it is breeding season.  There must be 20 or 25 of them responding to the voice commands, lining up like soldiers marching four abreast, left, then right, then left again.                                             We have seen many brilliantly plummed birds here, some roaming free among the lush tropical plantings.  Those, like the flamingos, probably have their wings clipped to prevent them flying off.  There are also small monkeys, iguanas, boa constrictors, caimans and members of the cat family.  It's a beautiful setting.                                                                 We passed very colorful houses on our way here from the ship. Even the houses of the wealthy are painted shades of pink, yellow, blue.  The Bahamas became an independent nation in 1973.  They have no income tax, no sales tax.  I asked David, our guide, where the government gets the money for running the country (including free health care.)  Seems the import duty is tremendously high as is the price of gasoline.

Day 8, Noon

As I sit in the airport in Ft. Lauderdale, irritated that I had to stand in 3 different lines to finally get my boarding pass for the Delta flight that will take me home, I think back to what the guide at the fort in Nassau told us just yesterday. Brian said there are only two speeds used in the Bahamas, "dead slow" and "stop."  It seems to have spilled over to airline servcie too.  Brian also explained to us about the waterless moat around Ft. Charlotte.  He said, "No float in dry moat."  Instead, it was planted with cacti.  The underground chambers were dug out of solid rock and took the slaves 2 years to complete                                                      In 1838 Queen Victoria freed the slaves and upon her death in 1901, they were so grateful to her for releasing them from bondage that they covered the two top steps of the slave-built stairs to the fort on the highest hill of the island, leaving 64 steps to represent one for each year of her reign and named them the Queen's Stairs.                                    As my trip ends and I wing my way home, I'll sit back in my seat on the Delta L1011 and wish I could implement the Bahamian speed of "dead slow" to stretch out the festive feeling of a Caribbean vacation.

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