Our Destiny - 11th - 25th Jan (Part 5)

[slhw]

Hi

I'm back again and this time its TRIPS ETC. but I am afraid that it is going to be rather unexciting as we are a lazy, unadventurous pair and didn't do an awful lot. Truth is that we run our own business and are so shattered after the Christmas rush that we just want to lay around and do nothing much at all except read. I also like to swim and have some days where I can just get in and out of the pool. We have been to the Caribbean before and hope to go again so we just do a little bit at a time.

DOMINICA
Went on the Indian River Row Boat through the Rain Forest. It was o.k. but not wildly exciting. I had hoped to see more wildlife but there was very little although we did see a young boa constrictor coiled up in a tree and some land crabs. I think that we might have preferred Trafalgar Falls & Emerald Pool trip which other passengers told us they enjoyed.

ANTIGUA
Had a very pleasant afternoon at Runway Beach on the 'Sun and Rhum'. It wasn't bad value at £19 to include a sunbed, umbrella and as much rum punch as you can drink - and I did - and I was sorry - but it's just like pop!
Didn't go for a swim because I thought that I might'nt find my way out of the water!

ST LUCIA
Went on the Brig Unicorn - the one used in the film 'Pirates of the Caribbean' - just so we could tell the kids that we had been on it as they were quite disgusted that last time we went on a boring old catamaran.
It sailed over to Pigeon Island for a brief stop - you could go and explore - some interesting old ruins - go on a bit of a treasure hunt - or go for a swim. We managed a bit of each. Last time, as I have said, we went on the Catamaran sail to the Pitons and then a swim - enjoyed that too.

ST KITTS

Went on the 'Bygone Days' trip to an old plantation house and the Brimstone Fort. This was excellent - the house and gardens were amazing and we were shown round by the owners who still live there. We really enjoyed it and my husband did make the steep climb up to the very top of the fort which he said was well worth it. It was followed by a short beach stop which we thought was unecessary although I think that the morning trip (we went in the afternoon) had actually had a bit longer at the beach than we did.
Last time we were at St. Kitts we went on the Scenic Railway and that was lovely.

BARBADOS
Did an independant taxi tour round the island - through the very expensive areas and to Highland - I was very unimpressed there with the length of the tether on the green monkey that was on show and so we wouldn't buy anything, not even a drink, at the shops there.

TORTOLA
We just wandered into town to the ice cream shop. We have been here before though and it is a beautiful little island. If anyone does the Virgin Gorda trip, please let us have a review, because I would like to do it but am a bit apprehensive.

Well, am afraid that is it - but we are going again! Don't think that I have got around to mentioning that we didn't go to Guadaloupe as there were fuel protests there so we were advised the day before that we were going to Martinique instead.

Here endeth Part 5!

By the way, I have answered questions on the particular post that they have appearded on

[tez21]

Ive really enjoyed the reports on your recent cruise, i'm looking forward to going myself this Sunday. Could any of you regular cruisers tell me the best way to phone and or e-mail back to the UK.

[kruzseeka]

Hello tez

We're going on Sunday too - so let's hope we have as brilliant a time as Sandie! We're certainly benefiting from her reviews and the ealier ones from Bella and Capasamari so we're going armed with loads of info!

We usually use our mobiles to call home - of course on sea days and whilst sailing overnight, you're often out of range. I believe this is the cheapest option but you will have to check with your mobile company that you are set up for 'roving' or however your mobile company decribes it. I believe if you have a fairly new mobile you are probably ok but you may need to register or do a manual selection for a network whilst you are away and as you move around. You should check your mobile company's website to find out what you need to do (or go into your local shop). We're on Orange and if we go to their website we can put your model in and the countries you're visiting to see what service is available.

In your ticket booklet, (p32 in mine) you will find details of how to phone from the ship but this is via satellite which is very expensive so best only used for emergency situations. To be fair, they do point out the approximate cost and tell you it's an expensive way of doing things. In your cabin will be all the details of costs etc. They also talk about using the ship's mobile network - I'm not sure how this works but it looks as though it's charged so you're better using your own.

There are email facilities on board but I'm not sure how much this costs and could be expensive as I have heard of reports that it can take an age to connect. Perhaps someone else can help you with this. We've not tried this method as mobiles have always been ok for us. (You do need to remember to take an adaptor and the charger to keep it charged up though).

[slhw]

Hi Tez21

Hope this info. isn't too late for you as you are going on Sunday - you lucky thing! I emailed from the ship. I was loading AOL to check incoming emails and to send a couple. You swipe your Boarding Card and you are charged while the sites are loading - this includes as you open each individual email and while an email is being sent. Not sure if I have described this very well. On the first occasion, I ran up a cost of just under £5 and I actually opened about 5 emails and sent 3. I was actually on line for quite some time but it doesn't charge while you are just looking or, as I was doing, waiting for my daughter to reply. The second time, I think was about £3 and the last time about £2. There is a running total in the top right hand corner.

Hope this helps - have a brilliant time and don't forget to report back!

Sandie