Day 7: ST. MAARTEN/ ST. MARTIN

This island has two spellings of it's name because it has a side owned by the Dutch and the other French. Brandon & I saw our friends Nate & Michelle from Barbados who were renting another car. We hung with our group. Upon arrival to the port, there is a small area of shopping. You can take a water taxi for $5 one way (or $7 for an all day back-and-forth pass) to more shopping. If you have shopping on your list this trip (there are lots of jewels they say can't be found anywhere else in the world), then this is the port to do it in. You can go around and get small, free gifts just for stopping in most stores. 

 Among the shops is a free movie exhibit with work by Nick Maley

 who is apparently known as "that Yoda Guy" because of his involvement in the creation of Yoda for Star Wars. It isn't that big, but you can buy some signed art from the movies.

After shopping, our group met up and then we split again. Some went on a tour of the entire island (I heard they found a nude beach) and others skipped the tour and went to Maho Beach. I went to Maho Beach. There is an airport so close to this beach, that people come to hang on to a fence that separates them as big planes take off. Only the strong can hang on and not be blasted away.

Of course, we tried it!

 When planes arrive, they seem like they are so close overhead that you can reach up and touch them.

It was totally cool.

While we were there, we saw our friends again!

 So we invited them to snorkel and eat lunch with us. If you go here, go to Driftwood bar and order their pizza. I know, you are thinking, I'm on an island, why would I order pizza?! But it is fantastic! We ordered an XL half white and sweet mama (+ham) pizza. SO YUMMY!

 Our taxi driver waited there for us and took the parents back to the shopping area. Brandon and I joined our friends Nate and Michelle in the rental Yaris (half car/half dolphin) and we visited 2 other beaches.

Cupecoy was our first stop. The sand was softer than at Maho, but the waves were bigger.

 Our next stop was Mullet Bay Beach. The sand here was so soft and the water was perfect. It was gorgeous. The snorkeling was the best here for the day.

 We barely got the rental car back in time to board the ship because we were having so much fun.

 Our new friends suggested we all get a Guavaberry shake at the port to close such a great day.

Thank you, Sint Maarten. Tomorrow we go home. I'll miss the food buffet, having my bed made and room cleaned by someone else, and all of the fun/adventure. Back to reality.

Day 6: ST. KITTS

We aren't in the states for the 4th of July, but the Carnival Valor surprised us with this patriotic gesture.

I loved it!

I don't think anybody had any plans for St. Kitts. Upon your arrival to the port, you will be greeted by  lots of shops and locals with monkeys. You can hold them, but you will be asked for $5 if you snap a photo with them.

I got my monkey photo for $2 with a bonus rasta donkey later in the afternoon during our tour.

The parents booked a tour with a local taxi bus called Junie Taxi & Tours.
It took us around the SMALL island to a botanical garden.

We saw a giant tree over 400 years old growing here,

pretty gardens,

and demonstrations of local batik artists (available for purchase). Make sure you have small bills if purchasing items from these little islands because they will try to give you change in their currency (to try to get you to spend it there so they can make more money). All islands on this cruise accept US currency.

 We continued around the island and stopped at a few great photo opportunity spots.

 Then the tour left us with the option to stop at the beach (the driver will negotiate what time to come pick you up and take you back) or to go straight back to the port with no beach.

We chose the beach. This beach had black sand which was cool...and very hot! It was a rocky beach and had murky water horrible for snorkeling. Ask your driver to go to a better beach!

 The tour included drinks (bottled water, coke & rum, or local beer). Once we returned to the port, Brandon and I went to the city in search of some local eats. We walked up to a street vendor who told us he had "cook-up" with is rice with various meats including pig tail. It was horrible, but we tried it. After we tried to eat it but ended up throwing it out, we went to a restaurant that said they served local food. We ordered some juice and mashed green bananas as a side with a fish entree--so yummy!

 The ship entertainment crew organized a 4th of July dance party full of lots of red, white, and blue goodies.

I love my America!

Day 5: ST. LUCIA

Two days before we left to board the cruise, I sent an email to Joe Knows Tours to make a reservation for our group. JR from Joe Knows met us on port right outside the cruise ship at 9AM. 

He walked us to meet our tour guide Snoop.We piled in the van for the land tour. They also have boat tours available.

 Our tour took us through some small fishing villages and to see a banana tree field. You can buy some bananas from the locals to taste.

There were cold beverages in a cooler for us to drink during the trip including soda, water, and rum punch.

 Our next stop was at a volcano (St. Lucia is famous for their pitons). We covered ourselves in mud at this sulphur spring. That means it smells bad, but is totally worth it and will make your skin fell incredibly soft. Be sure not to wear a white bathing suit because the mud might stain it.

 Here we are before....

 During...

And after...

We covered ourselves with mud then washed off our bodies (leaving it on our faces) 

 We then got in the car and drove to a nearby waterfall to finish rinsing off.

After we were all cleaned up, Snoop took us to have a wonderful local food island buffet at a super nice beach-front restaurant.

Once my plate was clean, I walked down the stairs to touch the water.

As we were driving back, Snoop turned on some tunes and we all sang along as the rum punch was flowing (just for some of us). 

 The final stop on the tour was at a small rum distillery.

There were several flavors for everyone to taste.

 This was the best tour of St. Lucia I think we could have had. The staff were totally professional, told us all about the island, and most importantly, helped us have fun. I would recommend their service to anyone visiting the island!

 Back at the port, we were surrounded by tacky souvenirs and pushy locals trying to sell us junk.

 If you cruise here, don't judge the island by this port alone--you MUST venture out and tour the entire island.

Good vibes.