Here and there but mainly there.
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Sprucegoose
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Great TR, looking forward to the next segment
turtlemichael
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St Barths. Next it was on to the pretty French island of St. Barths and its classy capital Gustavia. This is day 55 of the trip. Where have they all gone?
Thie is very much France. We were at this island 3 years ago on New Year’s Day, the day after the fabled New Year’s Eve party for the rich and decadent. That time the yacht harbour was crammed with the toys of the rich and famous including Roman Abramovitch and his then brand new yacht, Eclipse. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclipse_%28yacht%29. Eclipse is the largest private yacht in the world. The party each year is the billionaires’ get-together. http://www.vanityfair.com/society/features/2011/01/st-barths-201101
Fortunately, for us this time the island was much more laid back and accessible. As there is no dock we had to tender in. This can be a challenge for both the crew and the passengers because moving 500 people, some with their wheelchairs and Zimmer frames, between a ship and a moving small boat is a big job. On our day the sea was smooth.
We chose to wander round the harbour and also do a sailing and snorkelling trip. We were a small group, about 12, and had a lovely catamaran to sail on. The captain was very French and very expert. We went to a bay, Anse du Grand Colombier on the leeward coast a few kilometres from Gustavia to snorkel and swim in the cleanest and clearest waters I’ve seen anywhere, and that includes in French Polynesia. The water was crystal and we swam with fish and sea turtles. The captain s a great host and the cheese and rum punch came out on the trip back. He also told us that on this island they voted over 90% for Sarkozy in the recent election. Looking at the palatial villas on the cliffs I can understand why. This is not a refuse for socialists.
After returning to the ship we went ashore again in the evening to break the meal monotony to eat at a local restaurant. We were not sailing until midnight. We picked a waterfront restaurant called Cove Port which turned out to be fine even if it did make Paris look a bargain. The seafood was great.
Someone complained on board that they had been charged 50 euros each to use a deck chair at a secluded beach for 2 hours. An umbrella was an extra 15 euros. In paradise nothing is cheap.
Sea Dream 2, a very neat and expensive cruise ship.
Oue excellent captain for the day in St. Barths
The bay where we anchored.
St Barths
St Barths
Thie is very much France. We were at this island 3 years ago on New Year’s Day, the day after the fabled New Year’s Eve party for the rich and decadent. That time the yacht harbour was crammed with the toys of the rich and famous including Roman Abramovitch and his then brand new yacht, Eclipse. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclipse_%28yacht%29. Eclipse is the largest private yacht in the world. The party each year is the billionaires’ get-together. http://www.vanityfair.com/society/features/2011/01/st-barths-201101
Fortunately, for us this time the island was much more laid back and accessible. As there is no dock we had to tender in. This can be a challenge for both the crew and the passengers because moving 500 people, some with their wheelchairs and Zimmer frames, between a ship and a moving small boat is a big job. On our day the sea was smooth.
We chose to wander round the harbour and also do a sailing and snorkelling trip. We were a small group, about 12, and had a lovely catamaran to sail on. The captain was very French and very expert. We went to a bay, Anse du Grand Colombier on the leeward coast a few kilometres from Gustavia to snorkel and swim in the cleanest and clearest waters I’ve seen anywhere, and that includes in French Polynesia. The water was crystal and we swam with fish and sea turtles. The captain s a great host and the cheese and rum punch came out on the trip back. He also told us that on this island they voted over 90% for Sarkozy in the recent election. Looking at the palatial villas on the cliffs I can understand why. This is not a refuse for socialists.
After returning to the ship we went ashore again in the evening to break the meal monotony to eat at a local restaurant. We were not sailing until midnight. We picked a waterfront restaurant called Cove Port which turned out to be fine even if it did make Paris look a bargain. The seafood was great.
Someone complained on board that they had been charged 50 euros each to use a deck chair at a secluded beach for 2 hours. An umbrella was an extra 15 euros. In paradise nothing is cheap.
Sea Dream 2, a very neat and expensive cruise ship.
Oue excellent captain for the day in St. Barths
The bay where we anchored.
St Barths
St Barths
turtlemichael
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Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Another day another island paradise. We decided here to go snorkelling at Virgin Gorda, which is an adjacent island to Tortola and its main
town, Road Town, where we docked. This expedition involved a ferry ride and then 10 minutes in a “taxi”. I use the word loosely. It was more a dray with seats. The Baths at Virgin Gouda are a rock formation again in the sea and again of incredible beauty. We picked another perfect weather day to go. Sadly, it did not turn out to be so good for someone. After we got off the taxi, checking to see if we still had functioning spines, we hiked down a very steep path to the beach. As we arrived we almost stood on the body of a middle aged local man laid out and partially covered in a towel. It seems that he had died just a few minutes earlier in the water from probably a heart attack. They had tried to revive him but unsuccessfully. His distraught family was in shock. It took the edge off our day but it was a lot worse for him and his family.
After we got back to the port we decided to hunt out the local post office to buy some stamps and send some postcards. BVI stamps are quite spectacular. This was not so easy as the PO turned out to be well out of the centre of town and a hike. We were conscious that the ship would be sailing soon so we asked the very stately tourist office lady whether the locals had a siesta, like the Spanish islands we’d visited, and therefore whether we’d find the post office shut. In the haughtiest Surrey county accent she responded: ”Of course we don’t have a siesta, we’re British”.
We were put in our place.
Another day another island paradise. We decided here to go snorkelling at Virgin Gorda, which is an adjacent island to Tortola and its main
town, Road Town, where we docked. This expedition involved a ferry ride and then 10 minutes in a “taxi”. I use the word loosely. It was more a dray with seats. The Baths at Virgin Gouda are a rock formation again in the sea and again of incredible beauty. We picked another perfect weather day to go. Sadly, it did not turn out to be so good for someone. After we got off the taxi, checking to see if we still had functioning spines, we hiked down a very steep path to the beach. As we arrived we almost stood on the body of a middle aged local man laid out and partially covered in a towel. It seems that he had died just a few minutes earlier in the water from probably a heart attack. They had tried to revive him but unsuccessfully. His distraught family was in shock. It took the edge off our day but it was a lot worse for him and his family.
After we got back to the port we decided to hunt out the local post office to buy some stamps and send some postcards. BVI stamps are quite spectacular. This was not so easy as the PO turned out to be well out of the centre of town and a hike. We were conscious that the ship would be sailing soon so we asked the very stately tourist office lady whether the locals had a siesta, like the Spanish islands we’d visited, and therefore whether we’d find the post office shut. In the haughtiest Surrey county accent she responded: ”Of course we don’t have a siesta, we’re British”.
We were put in our place.
Last edited:
turtlemichael
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Road Town, Tortola, BVI
turtlemichael
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The last two ports on this cruise were Cayo Levantado, a luxury island just off the Dominican Republic coast on Hispaniola and Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos island - both breathtaking again. So what else was there to do but more swimming, sailing and drinking rum punch?
turtlemichael
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Grand Turk
turtlemichael
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Thanksgiving Dinner on Regent Navigator
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turtlemichael
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Miami to Key West. Nov 25
The cruise is over until next time. Enjoyed it a lot. We left the ship at 9.00am and got a taxi to MIA. Being early Sunday morning traffic was a breeze and it was no more than a 15 minute run from the port. At the airport we were greeted by chaos. Although I have transited and arrive at MIA quite a few times in the past, this is the first time I have actually departed from the airport. First, it is badly signed. We were travelling Y to Key West. I couldn’t see a priority line so we joined the first class line only to be told that unless we were AA plat or Plat Exec we couldn’t be there. “Honey, I don’t know nothing about your Oneworld status” the line angel told us. Rather than have an argument we moved to the general line which was in fact shorter than the first class line. But it looked like an hour wait. We had 3 hours plus before the flight. This was the end of the Thanksgiving weekend and obviously everyone in Miami was heading out.
After 15 minutes in the line a nice lady said to us: “What you doing here? There is a Priority line at the other end of the terminal” We could find no sign that said that. There check-in took 10 minutes but it was no doubt quicker than the lines we had been in. Next, off to security, or checkpoint as they call it. At the nearest one, Checkpoint 1, the line was unbelievable. We estimated 45 minutes to an hour. We could see no priority line and we had forgotten to ask the check-in agent so this time we decided to ask. “Yes, the is a priority line past checkpoint 4.” We were at checkpoint 1. Again, no signs. So we route marched to the other end of the terminal and got through in about 15 minutes. We were effectively adjacent to Terminal E by now. All, up check-in took a little over an hour. It would have been quicker if we had been more forceful but pity the poor sods without status.
We were tempted to use the Premium lounge inside the door but it did not open for a couple more hours. So we headed to the AC at D30. Itis more comfortable than most and had good internet and good Bloody Marys got with the vouchers we were given.
The trip to Key West was on an Emb RJ140. We managed to get 1A and 2A because of status. 1A had plenty of leg room against the bulkhead. We left the gate on time but came to a screaming halt in the taxi after the FA, a formidable AA lady of mature years clearly not to be trifled with, spoke to the captain on the intercom to tell him that one guy would not turn off his device. The captain came on the speaker to say that this was a breach of federal law and the guy had 10 seconds to comply with the request or we were heading back to the gate. Off we went with the naughty passenger duly chastised.
Air time was a little over 20 minutes and we were served a cup of water. The views of the keys, on a perfect day were fantastic.
10 SCs and 500 points later it was welcome to the Conch Republic.
The cruise is over until next time. Enjoyed it a lot. We left the ship at 9.00am and got a taxi to MIA. Being early Sunday morning traffic was a breeze and it was no more than a 15 minute run from the port. At the airport we were greeted by chaos. Although I have transited and arrive at MIA quite a few times in the past, this is the first time I have actually departed from the airport. First, it is badly signed. We were travelling Y to Key West. I couldn’t see a priority line so we joined the first class line only to be told that unless we were AA plat or Plat Exec we couldn’t be there. “Honey, I don’t know nothing about your Oneworld status” the line angel told us. Rather than have an argument we moved to the general line which was in fact shorter than the first class line. But it looked like an hour wait. We had 3 hours plus before the flight. This was the end of the Thanksgiving weekend and obviously everyone in Miami was heading out.
After 15 minutes in the line a nice lady said to us: “What you doing here? There is a Priority line at the other end of the terminal” We could find no sign that said that. There check-in took 10 minutes but it was no doubt quicker than the lines we had been in. Next, off to security, or checkpoint as they call it. At the nearest one, Checkpoint 1, the line was unbelievable. We estimated 45 minutes to an hour. We could see no priority line and we had forgotten to ask the check-in agent so this time we decided to ask. “Yes, the is a priority line past checkpoint 4.” We were at checkpoint 1. Again, no signs. So we route marched to the other end of the terminal and got through in about 15 minutes. We were effectively adjacent to Terminal E by now. All, up check-in took a little over an hour. It would have been quicker if we had been more forceful but pity the poor sods without status.
We were tempted to use the Premium lounge inside the door but it did not open for a couple more hours. So we headed to the AC at D30. Itis more comfortable than most and had good internet and good Bloody Marys got with the vouchers we were given.
The trip to Key West was on an Emb RJ140. We managed to get 1A and 2A because of status. 1A had plenty of leg room against the bulkhead. We left the gate on time but came to a screaming halt in the taxi after the FA, a formidable AA lady of mature years clearly not to be trifled with, spoke to the captain on the intercom to tell him that one guy would not turn off his device. The captain came on the speaker to say that this was a breach of federal law and the guy had 10 seconds to comply with the request or we were heading back to the gate. Off we went with the naughty passenger duly chastised.
Air time was a little over 20 minutes and we were served a cup of water. The views of the keys, on a perfect day were fantastic.
10 SCs and 500 points later it was welcome to the Conch Republic.
Bundy Bear
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Nice pictures on the Miami to Key West flight and the leg room shot, did you get permission from Keith009 to use such a picture in a trip report, and I had to laugh about the 10SCs and the 500 miles the most important AFF detail.
Can you hurry up on your trip report, as you are bit behind where you are in real life.
Nice to keep it updated so thanks for that.
Can you hurry up on your trip report, as you are bit behind where you are in real life.
Nice to keep it updated so thanks for that.
turtlemichael
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I'm thinking you may be anticipating a response to that comment! Crossing my mind is the thought that wherever I am up to I am ahead of your trip report!
Bundy Bear
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turtlemichael
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turtlemichael
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Crowne Plaza at Key West
The hotel is located in the thick of it on Duval St. It is an old style but comfortable CP. Staying on points we were not expecting an upgrade so were surprised when we won a junior suite. It was one very large room with a divider and also a very good bathroom. The double glazing worked well keeping out the incredible late night noise from the street below. We didn't eat at the hotel (the restaurant/bar looked uninviting and was never very busy) but did have a couple of very good breakfasts at The Six-Toed Cat, a few blocks away.
The hotel is located in the thick of it on Duval St. It is an old style but comfortable CP. Staying on points we were not expecting an upgrade so were surprised when we won a junior suite. It was one very large room with a divider and also a very good bathroom. The double glazing worked well keeping out the incredible late night noise from the street below. We didn't eat at the hotel (the restaurant/bar looked uninviting and was never very busy) but did have a couple of very good breakfasts at The Six-Toed Cat, a few blocks away.
turtlemichael
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Key West
We enjoyed our 4 days in Key West. Good food, a decent upgrade at the Crowne Plaza from a base room booking to a comfortable junior suite on points, and some touristy things. We were impressed by Hemingway’s House and the Little White House which President Truman used a lot during his incumbency. One day we hired bikes and went to the Zachary Taylor State Park which has an old fort and good beaches. We had good meals at La Trattoria and 915. We had the best meal at a restaurant called Azur which was a decent walk off the main tourist drag, Duval St. It also had a good wine list. The housing across the island is in parts very grand and almost all well maintained and gardened. It has a distinct southern feel. All very pretty and I could easily slip into life there.
Hemingway's House, Key West
Trying to avoid the Moderators' wrath here but this is a urinal at Hemingway's House which came from Sloppy Joe's Bar. Apparently it was given to Hemingway after he told them that it was rightfully his as he had p+ssed so much money down it over the years.
Hemingway's House, Key West
The Key West White House
We enjoyed our 4 days in Key West. Good food, a decent upgrade at the Crowne Plaza from a base room booking to a comfortable junior suite on points, and some touristy things. We were impressed by Hemingway’s House and the Little White House which President Truman used a lot during his incumbency. One day we hired bikes and went to the Zachary Taylor State Park which has an old fort and good beaches. We had good meals at La Trattoria and 915. We had the best meal at a restaurant called Azur which was a decent walk off the main tourist drag, Duval St. It also had a good wine list. The housing across the island is in parts very grand and almost all well maintained and gardened. It has a distinct southern feel. All very pretty and I could easily slip into life there.
Hemingway's House, Key West
Trying to avoid the Moderators' wrath here but this is a urinal at Hemingway's House which came from Sloppy Joe's Bar. Apparently it was given to Hemingway after he told them that it was rightfully his as he had p+ssed so much money down it over the years.
Hemingway's House, Key West
The Key West White House
turtlemichael
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Around Key West
turtlemichael
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Key West to Fort Lauderdale.
Leaving Key West on November 29[SUP]th[/SUP] was sad. We enjoyed our time here immensely. First, on the night before, we experienced one of Key West's famous sunsets from the roof of the Crowne Plaza. Very impressive, particularly with a margarita in hand, but I have no idea why they are good here.
Given the experience in MiA when we started the trip down we were expecting an easier time at the small airport here. We nevertheless decided to get out early to avoid any tension and hassles. 15 minutes to EYK from the Crowne Plaza by taxi (4 taxi rides on Key West and all driven by expatriates from Uzbekistan- is this a record?) we were so early we were actually the only passengers in the terminal on arrival. Kindle is your friend. The trip back on the exact same plane we had flown down plane was much the same. This time we got the exit row on the 2 seat side of the plane with some more great views. There was a touch of excitement on take-off as the pilot aborted half way down the runway. He turned around and went back to do it again advising that :there was a minor technical issue, nothing to worry about”. Second time we made it up. On arrival at MIA we were picked up a limo we’d booked to take us up to Fort Lauderdale for a two day stay.
Leaving Key West on November 29[SUP]th[/SUP] was sad. We enjoyed our time here immensely. First, on the night before, we experienced one of Key West's famous sunsets from the roof of the Crowne Plaza. Very impressive, particularly with a margarita in hand, but I have no idea why they are good here.
Given the experience in MiA when we started the trip down we were expecting an easier time at the small airport here. We nevertheless decided to get out early to avoid any tension and hassles. 15 minutes to EYK from the Crowne Plaza by taxi (4 taxi rides on Key West and all driven by expatriates from Uzbekistan- is this a record?) we were so early we were actually the only passengers in the terminal on arrival. Kindle is your friend. The trip back on the exact same plane we had flown down plane was much the same. This time we got the exit row on the 2 seat side of the plane with some more great views. There was a touch of excitement on take-off as the pilot aborted half way down the runway. He turned around and went back to do it again advising that :there was a minor technical issue, nothing to worry about”. Second time we made it up. On arrival at MIA we were picked up a limo we’d booked to take us up to Fort Lauderdale for a two day stay.
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