We spent a quiet Monday at sea relaxing and trying to get the internet and this new laptop figured out. Can’t say we had much success, but we did manage to get online and upload the journal. The cabin is organized and everything is in place. So glad that we thought of the sticky mounting tape and the wonderful Command sticky hooks. There is only one outlet so remembering the multi outlet extension cord was a must.
Our dinner table assignment has not been changed, but we are beginning to really enjoy our tablemates since the “one” has not shown up. She must not have liked any of us either. One couple at our table is preoccupied most of the time as their son and daughter-in-law are in Japan and they haven’t heard from them since the severe earthquake and tsunami. They are farmers from Illinois so Barney is really enjoying their company. She has a fantastic sense of humor so our table may be accounting for a good deal of the noise in the dining room. The other couple lived in Cleveland for 40+ years so they have much in common with Dorothy. They now live in Las Vegas.
Last night we sailed through the last of the Atlantic abyss (15,000 ft. depth) and across the Puerto Rico Trench which is the deepest area in the Atlantic Ocean at 25,000 feet, nearly 5 miles below our ship. This morning we docked at the small French island of St. Barts. This island was (presumably) discovered by Columbus on his second trip to the new world and named for his brother. St. Barts is one of a long chain of islands representing mountain tops along the Southwestern edge of the deep trench. It was a pirate hangout during the 17th century and was later settled by the French. Still later Louis XVI traded it to Sweden for a warehouse in Goteborg! In 1878 Sweden traded it back to France but we have not been able to determine what Sweden got in that exchange but we assume they have drank it all by now. Today this is the location where the rich and famous French citizens hang out. We’ve been told it is one of the most expensive stops on our schedule. We’ll know more about it after we take a tender and do a little window shopping.
We now know why they refer to this island as the “millionaire” island. Some of the yachts in the harbor were nearly as large as our Prinsendam. We tendered in and just walked the town. All the autos were very small and most were very new. The people were mostly young and well dressed with lots of heavy jewelry, But they were also very friendly. We climbed the rock stairs until we reached the site of de fort Carl. The island is so small that we were able to look down on shell beach (clothing optional) and see the other side of the island. We visited two very impressive stone churches.
We strolled the back streets and waterfront ending at a local bar to cool down with a Carib beer and a coke to the tune of eight euros.
We arrived back just in time for the delivery of chocolate covered strawberries. Thanks once again, Jen. Tonight’s after-dinner show was excellent – an entertainer from Las Vegas (Tony Pace) who catered to our style music…we’re talking about going back to see him again at the late show.
But then,…………..another early port tomorrow.
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