Day 8ish- Puerto Rico

 We got off the ship by 9AM and took an Uber to our hotel which was right by the convention center. We connected to internet and perused emails and messages and they had our room ready by 10. Bob suggested we go find a beach. So, we got another Uber to take us to the closest most popular beach. However, 1. It was in the middle of the Puerto Rico Ironman triathalon and apparently sunday is the major day the locals go to the beach.

So, we looked at a map and Bob figured out if we kept walking, we may end up at this one beach. SO we did and we found the exact beach where we took family pictures on the Christmas cruise 2 years ago!!! It is stunning. We walked that beach for a long time!

The next day we slept in, caught an uber to the airport, had a 5 hour long flight to chicago and then a quick flight home. Exhausted, sun-kissed, and missing the Caribbean already. 

 

We already have our next one booked for Mexico over Christmas. We went back to Carnival- stick with what we know :)

Day 7- St. Kitts & Nevis

 This day we just decided to get off and shop at all the stores. We now call this day "avoid the monkey man".

We went to the shopping square and I looked over and saw a guy holding baby monkeys. I looked at Bob to tell him about the monkeys when all of the sudden the baby monkeys were on me! They were so dang cute, but please note- I didnt ask for them. 

Then I pulled out my purse and gave him the $8 cash I had left. He said, "No! $20". I said we didnt have any more. He pointed to a casino and said they have an ATM, So we went in there but had no idea how to use it- plus we didnt ask for the monkeys and we cant give him money we don't have. Apparently they do this alot there and he was duping ALL people coming through. So, moving from store to store, we had to make sure he wasn't out there looking for his money. Ugh- thats what makes people want to avoid the Caribbean. But the monkeys were cute.

It really is a beautiful place! These adorable girls met us at every meal- we went to the buffet every day because the food was great AND the ship was only 40% full! So there were no lines and nothing was ever crowded (except getting off the ship in St Lucia).  These guys had an awesome dance they did every time we came "Washy washy happy happy." They were so sweet and got to where they recognized us.  We love them!

I had my last amazing crepe

And then, this may sound strange, but we went to go see the Broadway Production of "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert." This was their 1st performance back after COVID and it was fantastic!!!  The music was great, the acting and dancing were professional, and the costumes were magnificent.  We thoroughly enjoyed it although we werent sure we would considering the topic.

Day 6- St. Lucia

 I think besides Aruba, this was the day I was looking forward to the most. We chose the Beach Break excursion. We should have just stayed on the ship...

The island has just opened up so we were required to wear masks everywhere, only go on an approved excursion, or take a taxi to one of their approved sites. When we finally got the go-ahead to get off the ship, there was a line as long as the ship and looped back. We had to show our vaccine cards, go through a temperature check, and then get in another line for our excursion. It took over an hour. 

They never said we would be shoved onto a bus and have to go on a 45 minute bus ride to the beach. It was supposed to be at Sandals resort and we had "chairs reserved just for you" and umbrellas at a cost. We were shoved to the end of the beach in old stained chairs and umbrellas were $10. Sandals resort was about 1/2 mile down the beach. Our water has floating trash. They promised drinks- there were no drinks. There were lots of sketchy people trying to sell us stuff. At one point, a guy came by selling marijuana. A girl in a bikini from our ship left with him to go smoke it. I took note of what she looked like in case she disappeared.

Thank goodness the view was really quit beautiful!

We wanted to get a taxi to leave but our phones didnt work there (long story).  Our entire group kept saying we wanted to leave. Especially as it was starting to get dark and super sketchy people were showing up. There would be 4-5 adults just sitting in a car. We were told that after the tourists leave, they all come to the beach to party, drink, do drugs. So we insisted we leave. Finally our bus came and instead of taking us the normal route, they took us up the mountain, flying around corners with drop off cliffs.  It was again over 45 minutes and boy was I glad when we got back to the ship.  The poverty we saw is heart breaking but I am perfectly fine if we never visit St. Lucia again.

That night we went to see the comedian Warren B. Hall and again, he was fantastic! So funny and entertaining!

https://youtu.be/QPE4ADsjb_8

PS- This is their picture of the beach break- this is NOT where we went...

Day 5 -Kralendijk, Bonaire

 Bonaire is so beautiful! It's waters are protected and boats and ships can't even anchor. 100% of its waters are protected It is where lots of divers and snorkelers go. We took the glass bottom boat tour since we have never done that before. It was lead but a girl who moved there from the Netherlands. It wasn't what I was expecting but it was very cool! We prefer actual snorkeling so we can be immersed in that environment.

The color of the water is intensely beautiful!!!

That night Bob talked me into going to see the Barricade Boys. A new vocal group from the UK that performs on the West End (which is like Broadway in the US). Oh.My.Gosh. They were absolutely fantastic!!!! They sand from Les Miserables, Mo town, etc and had dance moves. Wow!

https://youtu.be/PHc7IKdJZZ0

Day 4- Willemstad, Curacao

 Curacao (pronounced cure-a-so) is a Dutch Caribbean island. It reminded me so much of the Netherlands and the Vankays!  The homes are painted all sorts of colors.  I'll be honest, before this cruise I had no idea this island even existed. We decided to just walk around and enjoy the city and then go to a beach (which we never found). But it is such an adorable little town.

We got to cross the floating Queen Emma Bridge which was awesome. It opens several times a day to let ships through.

Across the bridge is a huge heart with locks from couples all around the world.

Then we went back onto the ship and enjoyed the day in the sun! I didnt take as many pictures as I usually do. I was soaking it all in.

 

At night we went to see the magician again. He had a new show. It was fantastic!