Here Comes the Sun

I’ve always wanted to take a knitting class. I’ve always wanted to go on a cruise. Imagine the delights that await when you combine these two activities and take your sweetie along for the ride!

We left out of New York City at dusk. This was a perfect spot to sit with a tropical beverage and watch the city disappear into the night. It was freezing, but I was ready for a daiquiri, damn the consequences!

So, which will it be first: knitting or cruising? Well, since it’s a supremely dreary day here in Connecticut, I think I’ll opt for memories of a happier, warmer time…

Holland America’s Ms Noordam at port in Grand Turk

Can’t you just feel the sun? Getting off the ship after 2 days at sea was a refreshing change of pace. Life on-board a cruise ship is certainly relaxing and enjoyable, but you start to feel a little cooped up after a while. This helped a great deal with the winter blues, seasickness, and cabin fever!

Fuscia Bougainvillea on St. Marten during a hike at Loterie Farm, a gorgeous nature preserve on the French side of the island.

There were lots of lizards on the hike, too.

Sailboat on the Sir Francis Drake Channel approaching Tortola where we got to swim with a dolphin named Venus. She was a free-spirited dolphin who seemed to say “You think you have me trained? I’m going to go play with some seaweed, suckers!” It was an amazing experience, if a bit touristy. We submitted to it, though, and paid way too much money for large glossy prints of our encounter. Side note: if you ever get to pet a dolphin on her underside, be careful not to go too low; there is such a thing as an accidental “bad touch” with a dolphin. I’m so sorry, Venus.

The happy trail of our ship departing the Caribbean…

Next time, I’ll get to the knitting, the people, and all the fabulous swag that was generously passed our way.