Day 2 - St Bart's
Trip Start
Nov 12, 2012
1
2
6
Trip End
Nov 17, 2012
November 13, 2012 - Ship visit - day 2
The morning started really early considering the late nite I had, but I didn't want to waste a moment! Read the online version of the Globe on an outside deck overlooking the ship's stern with a view of the island of St Bart's.
After hearing the voice on the morning announcement, I knew my favourite Cruise Director from other Silver Seas cruises was aboard so I went looking to say hello to Don!
Our morning excursion is an island tour by minibus. Vincent is our driver/guide; he and his family have been on-island for at least 6 generations. We started at the tender landing in Gustavia, then headed northwest across the island. We saw the airport with its 200-ft landing strip; all day long small planes looked like they were dive-bombing the island! Islanders call that pilot license 'kamikaze-style'. Then we got a nice look at the Atlantic and the breakers coming across; a number of good surfing locations all around the island. Every beach on St Bart's - even the hotel properties - are public access. There is little, to no crime. Everything must be imported as they don't get enough water to grow anything and the desalination process is expensive. A gallon of gas is over $8.
Upon our return to taxi central - where, I swear on all I own, a Jack Nicholson look alike was awaiting business. He even calls himself Jack and had the sunglasses and naughty grin to boot! We spent a little time wandering the main drag and then headed over to the Wall House restaurant for lunch.
After that it was back to the ship by tender and a couple of hours poolside.
I have a much better appreciation for the island now than I did after my first visit a couple of years ago. Thanks Bingle!
We met in La Grappa for pre-dinner cocktails and had a great time chatting with Logie who's been with Silver Seas for 17 years! Dinner with the group in the Main Dining Room - where I was welcomed like an old friend by Marcello! Got to admire how these pros never forget a face after they've seen you a couple of times! As always the meal and the company was excellent.
Then off to the Panorama Lounge to liven things up with a little dancing. Fun, fun, fun!!
The morning started really early considering the late nite I had, but I didn't want to waste a moment! Read the online version of the Globe on an outside deck overlooking the ship's stern with a view of the island of St Bart's.
After hearing the voice on the morning announcement, I knew my favourite Cruise Director from other Silver Seas cruises was aboard so I went looking to say hello to Don!
Our morning excursion is an island tour by minibus. Vincent is our driver/guide; he and his family have been on-island for at least 6 generations. We started at the tender landing in Gustavia, then headed northwest across the island. We saw the airport with its 200-ft landing strip; all day long small planes looked like they were dive-bombing the island! Islanders call that pilot license 'kamikaze-style'. Then we got a nice look at the Atlantic and the breakers coming across; a number of good surfing locations all around the island. Every beach on St Bart's - even the hotel properties - are public access. There is little, to no crime. Everything must be imported as they don't get enough water to grow anything and the desalination process is expensive. A gallon of gas is over $8.
Upon our return to taxi central - where, I swear on all I own, a Jack Nicholson look alike was awaiting business. He even calls himself Jack and had the sunglasses and naughty grin to boot! We spent a little time wandering the main drag and then headed over to the Wall House restaurant for lunch.
After that it was back to the ship by tender and a couple of hours poolside.
I have a much better appreciation for the island now than I did after my first visit a couple of years ago. Thanks Bingle!
We met in La Grappa for pre-dinner cocktails and had a great time chatting with Logie who's been with Silver Seas for 17 years! Dinner with the group in the Main Dining Room - where I was welcomed like an old friend by Marcello! Got to admire how these pros never forget a face after they've seen you a couple of times! As always the meal and the company was excellent.
Then off to the Panorama Lounge to liven things up with a little dancing. Fun, fun, fun!!
