Class Reunion Eastern Caribbean Cruise - Antigua

St. John's, Antigua
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

Some tropical islands are dryer than others. In fact, some are desert islands (hence, “stranded on a desert island”). Antigua (aka Waladli) reportedly doesn't get as much rain as some and was actually experiencing a drought. We docked at St. John's to the welcome treat of brilliant sunshine and hot, but not humid, weather. In fact, it was perfect.

We had scheduled an early excursion, so we breakfasted in our room. Room service is something I don't often take advantage of on a cruise. “Why is that,” you ask? Beats me. On this particular cruise, I guess it was because we were traveling with a group, and the whole point to traveling with a group is to spend time together. Which we did.

Heading off on our snorkel!
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

The excursion was a “catamaran snorkel and beach break.” So, off we went to get on the catamaran. We had plenty of SPF50 on us and with us, and we also wear sunguard, long-sleeved shirts when snorkeling. This is to protect us from the searing sunburns experienced by many of our fellow travelers. And even with all this protection, we still manage some tanning action. You don't want to ruin your vacation with a trip to the ship's hospital to be treated for severe burns. You might not need to be as careful as we are, but be careful.

Antigua
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

As we passed the ramparts on our way out to the reef, I couldn't help thinking about Jane Austen's Mansfield Park and the slave trade and cane fields of Antigua. It's hard to imagine the brutality of the island's history when compared to the lively tourist trade, beautiful beaches, friendly people, and luxurious vacation homes of the rich and famous today. Eric Clapton's “Crossroads Center,” a drug and alcohol rehab facility, is here.

Is this water gorgeous, or what?! Antigua
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

Our sail to the snorkel area was a treat. The water is clear and warm and an impossible aqua color that should really be illegal. It makes my heart soar and ache at the same time, and then I get tears in my eyes, because that's how I react when my senses are full of incredible natural beauty. I mean, really. It's ridiculous, isn't it? But there you are.

It's a rough life...Antigua.
Photo by Chris.
All rights reserved.

The reef itself had been absolutely flattened in the last hurricane, so it looked a little like a watery graveyard of bones. At the same time, it was a perfect place for marine life to hang out and hide. There were lots of fish, and a large variety. Floating quietly, face-down in the water, without moving, encourages these little creatures to go ahead and come out. So, don't just thrash around out there as if you were in some kind of race. Hang out for a while, and you'll be rewarded for your patience.

Your chair awaits you on this crowded beach...Antigua.
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

Much too soon, the snorkeling time was over, and it was time for the beach break. What a beautiful, white-sand, deserted beach! There were some trinkets and beach towels and sarongs to buy at a little stand. People have to make a living, and we like to contribute to the local economy. Yes, he got a Waladli t-shirt. Yes, he still wears it.

These guys worked hard for us.
Antigua
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

And before we knew it, we were back on the ship, enjoying a soak in the spa wave pool and the hot tub. You know those sunburns I was warning about a few paragraphs ago? We saw some spectacular ones today. A lot of people think there's no point in going on a Caribbean cruise if you don't go home with a great tan. We are not those people.

Our dining room on the Summit.
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

We dressed for dinner, went topside for the sail-away, and then went to eat. I had risotto with mushrooms, tom kha gai (Thai coconut-lime soup with chicken...and here, I was going to be creative and insert song lyrics, but then I realized that might be a copyright infringement, so I resisted the urge), bib lettuce with gorgonzola, chicken saltimbocca, and white chocolate macadamia nut cake. The hubster had crab cake, the same soup and salad, Cajun fish, and dolce de leche cigar for dessert.

Full moon over Antigua.
Photo by Chris.
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After dinner, we went to see Jason Bishop, illusionist extraordinaire and wry wit. We sat in the second row so as to analyze how he does the illusions, but it's still a mystery to me. And I was paying close attention. And then there was “Dancing with the Stripes,” a hilarious dance contest complete with insulting judges and cheering crowds. “Entertainment” isn't always entertaining. But this certainly was.

Celebrity Moonshot
Photo by Chris.
All rights reserved.

We went for a short walk on deck to see the effect of the beautiful full moon reflected on the sea. My husband had stubbed his big toe getting back on the catamaran after the snorkel, and it was sore and swollen by evening, so we couldn't stay up there as long as I would have liked. But I did get a couple of good shots.

See you again, Antigua!
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

I think I'd like to spend some more time in Antigua...