Photo Review: Celebrity Summit 2/1/14 Southern Caribbean

[HeatherC430]

 

 

 

This is once back at the jeep looking back at the area of rocks that you had to walk over to get to the tidal pool.

 

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Heading back to the jeep

 

 

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A few scenic shots from the jeep en route to our next stop

 

 

 

 

 

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Next stop the Domino Club: Home of the Beer Drinking Pigs

 

 

After all that adventure, we were looking forward to taking a load off & enjoying a nice adult beverage (or two). We all tried the house special "mama wanna" which is the shot in the picture below, the local brew, and the "mama rosa" which we were told was the mama wanna in grapefruit juice. Our travel mates Gayle & Randy were more adventurous than us and had a plate of the local food as well. Our tour guide Ritchie had a drink with us as well and we enjoyed talking to each other. While everything was good, it seemed much more expensive than I would have figured for such a local watering hole. Each of us had 2 drinks (5 of us) and one plate of food. The total was $69 - not counting tip. They only take cash there too. Also, before we left we also enjoyed the beer drinking pig. The cost was $1 per peron and $2 for each can of beer (it was nonalcholic O'doul's - apparently they used to drink real beer until the folks at PETA filed complaints). It was still very entertaining. The pig would take the unopened can of beer in their mouth, crush the can & drink the beer.

 

 

[HeatherC430]

 

 

 

 

[CruiseGirlKS]

Great photos. :)

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Outside of the Domino Club

 

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It was shortly after 3 by the time we got dropped off back at the port (about 2 hours later than we had expected due to the late pickup and then the jeep breaking down). After our tour, I had planned on going to Rainbow beach, but we were pretty exhausted when we returned to the port. We walked around a few shops and then decided to go back on the ship. Even though the trip wasn’t perfect with the delays, I would recommend Tan Tan to others who are interested in visiting the tide pools. They were able to successfully resolve the issues that arose during the course of the day. Our tour guide Ritchie was great too! Even though we got more than we bargained for, we had a great day in St. Croix. A few more shots of the port area…

[akowilm]

Love it! Your excursion sounds like a great time, and since it all turned out okay, you couldn't ask for more Caribbean adventure than that! We got stuck in Jamaica and thank goodness its the ONE excursion we booked through the ship; we were 2 hours late getting back to port due to the tour operators, and had a police escort through Montego Bay during rush hour! :eek: Our group held the Millie departure up by 2.5 hours and we got much applause from the balconies when we finally arrived!

[HeatherC430]

Once onboard we showered and got ready for the night. Tonight was the Super Bowl onboard the ship. We grabbed some sushi from the buffet for dinner and then started drinking for the night.

Another rainbow...

Some carvings in the buffet area

[HeatherC430]

Directly from the Celebrity Today regarding the festivities “NFL Super Bowl XLVIII Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos 7:00pm – Join us at 6:30pm as we preview the ever popular Super Bowl commercials on the theater’s big screen, followed by pre-game commentary and the eagerly anticipated 7:00pm kick-off. Your cruise director and his staff will keep you revved up through the broadcast with games, snacks, and fun. Traditional sports bar viewing in our Casino, Revelations Lounge (deck 11) and Michael’s Club.

We had made plans earlier in the day with Randy & Gayle from our excursion to meet up to watch the game in Michael’s with them. We had a great time. Below is where we sat to watch the game in Michaels.

 

 

 

I don't remember taking this picture below, but imagine my excitement when I found this little gem on my camera. This very well may be my favorite picture of the cruise. If I had to guess, it looks like after the game we wandered to the theater area where the Super Bowl party was - which is where one would assume I found this carved watermelon! I'm still cracking up about this picture! :D

 

[HeatherC430]

Up next - St. Kitts

 

 

 

 

 

 

[HeatherC430]

This was our second time in St. Kitts. On our first trip to the island we did the general island tour through the cruise line. This time we were looking for something different. Let it also be said that when booking excursions we try to look for the most interesting or unique thing to that specific area or port. When I first saw the tour offered through the ship to hike the dormant volcano, I immediately wanted to do it. This similar tour was offered through the ship as well, but we had decided to save a few dollars and book all our tours through the local tour companies on this trip as opposed to booking with the cruise line. Of the few tour companies that conducted this volcano hike, we had booked with Thenford: Grey based off good reviews. The tour was supposed to last e hours – from 8:30am to 2:30pm. We paid $69 per person for the tour. Below is the description of the tour given from Thenford.

Mount Liamuiga Volcano Hike

The highest point of the entire Leeward Islands is the Mount Liamuiga which soars to 3,792 feet above sea level. From Basseterre one takes a scenic drive along the island's main road to a quaint village on the north western end of the island. One then turns inland on a rugged dirt road that leads to the base of the mountain. The real climb now begins up the steep, slippery slopes to the rim of the volcanic crater. The temperature gradually falls and the familiar sights and sounds are suspended and replaced by an eerie calm and the glorious symphony of nature’s ever changing sound track. Crickets, toads, frogs, birds all join the choir. From the rim of the crater there are glorious views of the western side of the island and on a clear day as many as six islands can be seen offshore. Looking down into the crater one could imagine the days when magma erupted through its underground veins. Now its lush greenery is proof that Liamuiga, a native Kalinago (Carib) word meaning fertile land, is quite an appropriate name. The descent is exhilarating as the thrill of having conquered the mountain fuels the legs and the force of gravity draws you back to lower lands. The hike includes well located rest stops where hikers can be re-energized with light refreshments. Wear appropriate footwear for hike.

We were told to meet our tour operator right inside the welcome center. We had gotten off the ship with about 30 minutes before the meeting time just to ensure we had plenty of time. Right on time, Thenford showed up to collect the money for the tour. He then informed us that it was just the two of us on the tour and walked us to a young man (Tristan) who would be our tour guide for the day. Now this kid looked to be about 12 to me, but he assured me he was 23 and had been hiking to the volcano since he was a kid. That was after I made a few jokes inquiring whether this was his first trek into the volcano. We walked through a parking lot where another boy was waiting to drive us to the volcano where we would begin our hike. The car ride was about 30-45 minutes.

Look - there's another rainbow out the car window!

[HeatherC430]

 

 

[lovestx]

Loving all of your pictures and review! We LOVE St. Croix and visit annually. Tan Tan is a total hoot and I'm not surprised that the jeep broke down. They epitomize "Island Time" but take good care of their guests. But that ride is not for the faint of heart. My son and Husband won't go again as they felt they got whiplash from the trip. But the views and the tidal pools in Annaly Bay are worth it.

 

FYI, for others...you can easily find the tidal pools from Carambola resort without a guide. But you will definitely want to wear water shoes and better to go in a group in case someone has a problem. No cell service at Annaly Bay.

[cherylroslyn]

 

 

Keep it coming!!!!!! You are my lunch date for the day!!!!!!! I'm sitting here with some soup waiting:)

[HeatherC430]

Let me also add that I have read several reviews about this being a strenuous hike. Even knowing that, I had no idea the level of how intense it was going to be. In hindsight, I know what the reviewers were getting at but there’s no way to convey “how” strenuous it was. It started off as I had expected, rainforest trails while climbing elevation. We knew that going into the rainforest, it would be approximately 3.5 miles from the start to the top of the volcano, then coming back down the same trails used to get there, so 7 miles roundtrip – no big deal. I’m thinking I’ve done 15 mile day hikes in the Pennsylvania mountainous trails before – how bad can it be? My DH assured me that I’d (we’d) be fine. Keep in mind I was never worried about my DH – he works out on the regular – cycles almost daily, etc. Me, I try to go the gym 3-5 times per week and do one hour on the treadmill (about 4 miles each time) or do cardio on the elliptical and some weight training. So, I while some of you may be looking at my photos and thinking I’m a bit chubby, I do workout and wouldn’t consider myself out of shape by any means.

 

Back to the hike…while I started off with a smile and good attitude it wasn’t long before that changed. I was happy that it was just the 3 of us on this hike so that we didn’t have a large group to keep track of, or anyone slowing the group down. As soon as we entered the rainforest we passed the group with the cruise line that was about 10-12 people. About 30 minutes into the hike, it went from gentle incline of trails to full on climbing up rocks, over down trees, tree roots, etc. We were each given a bottle of water and walking stick. The walking stick was essential. It was at this point of the hike that my DH took my water bottle from me, knowing that it was slowing me down. You literally needed both hands to be able to maneuver and pull yourself up in many spots.

 

Needless to say there were many spots where I wanted to call it quits and head back. I kept asking how much further, how much further? Tristan would tell me only one or two more tough spots, but it didn’t seem to give any relief the more we climbed the worse the terrain got. I didn’t get any pictures because I was literally focusing on enduring this hike and attempting to make it to the top. I was basically out of breath the entire time, constantly chasing my breath. As we approached closer to the top, Tristan would tell us about all the people who bailed out in the various spots as we headed to the top.

 

Tristan was willing to stop when need be, but we only would stop for a minute or two with each break. By about half way to the top, I was dirty and my clothes were literally soaked through in sweat. I did however make it to the top! That much I’m proud of. I’m not going to lie, there were MANY times I didn’t I could make it. Once I started going my own pace (and not trying to keep up with my DH & Tristan) it helped. Once I made it to the top, Tristan (who thought he was paying me a compliment) said…and I quote “You did better than 95% of those *your size*””. Afterwards, I whispered to my DH, he better pipe down or his tip’s going to disappear! Other than that one comment, Tristan was a great guide on this hike.

 

I expected once we arrived at the top there would be something to see – a great view or – something? Maybe it’s just because it was foggy on top that day, but upon arriving at the top it was pretty anticlimactic. Yes, I made it…but now we had to do the whole thing again, heading back down the trails. At the top, Tristan had a ginger beverage for us and some sort of local sweet bread or pastry of sorts. While at the top, the cruise line group did come and go back down while we were having our snack/break at the top. I will say that trip back down – while still strenuous – was much easier in comparison than climbing up. You literally had to crawl down the rocks on the way back down.

 

By the end, I was COVERED in mud. I was quite a sight. When our driver came back to pick us up, I asked for a garbage bag to sit on because my butt was caked with mud and I didn’t want to sit on his seats. Luckily he had something for me to sit on. We were so dirty and exhausted we immediately got back onto the ship, showered, and laid down – pretty much for the rest of the night. My DH brought a sandwich back to the room for us later on. We rented a movie on demand and called it a day. Also worth mentioning, I ended up with several bruises all over my legs from knocking into rocks and such during the course of the day.

 

In looking back at the reviews I had before this hike, one poster stated this was the most strenuous thing they had ever done, and after doing so myself I would have to agree. I think it’s safe to say I’ve hiked my last volcano! So unless you want to do what could be the most strenuous hike of your life, I’d question if this hike is for you. My DH said this wasn’t close to the most difficult thing physically he’s ever done. He said a 100 mile cycle is way worse.

 

P.S. I was sore for DAYS after this – specifically my legs but also my arms and back at well (from using your whole body to pull yourself up the rocks). My DH claims to have only been sore for one more day. By the end of the cruise I was feeling back to normal.

[HeatherC430]

 

 

[HeatherC430]

At the top! I made it!

 

 

Views from the top...

 

 

 

 

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This is the only action shot my DH took of me while he had my camera - climbing down some tree roots. This pales in comparison to the rest of the hike! This was climbing back down.

 

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Some pictures on the drive back showing what we climbed up!

 

 

 

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[HeatherC430]

I’m not sure if anyone’s interested or not, but tonight (St. Kitts) was the first formal night. The second formal night was the one and only sea day. We didn’t plan on attending either formal night.

Up next, Dominica

These first few pictures are from the windows inside the Lido deck at breakfast.

[HeatherC430]