ANZAC day weekend

This weekend was a long weekend with ANZAC day on Friday. We got up early and switched Michelle and Amy for John’s mum, Kate, at Sydney airport. The weather turned out really nice after a miserable week. On Friday we caught the ferry out to Watson’s Bay and went for a walk, followed by tea and scones overlooking the harbour. On Saturday we went to see Billy Elliot the musical and ate a fantastic meal at our newly discovered favourite restaurant, The Book Kitchen. Before Kate left on Sunday we went for brunch, did the Coogee to Bondi walk and had a swim and sauna at our pool complex. We discovered that they’ve turned our fantastic steam room into a locker room – most annoying!

It’s been a really lovely weekend, and we’ve really enjoyed spending time with Kate. She is clearly really looking forward to us moving to Wellington.

Dominica

All went our separate ways today. Joan and Roger went river tube riding. No pissy grade 5 rapids, we had grade A! Great fun.

Val went looking for whales and dolphins; saw dolphins only, but one species was rare, not sighted since November last. But none of us would have known the difference anyway, as they are in and out of the water too fast; hope the photos captured something other than water. Amazing!

Brenda went off with a strange man on her own, bit scary. He rang his son who was waiting for me thank goodness. The waterfall was interesting but very slippery. Then on to sulphur pools which were very smelly but very necessary to avoid having a volcanic eruption.

Jackie stayed around the harbour and then back on board to get her head around coming back to snow!!!!!!!!!

Off to pack. See you soon

This is our last blog.

Antigua

We spent Sunday in Antigua (the island with 365 beaches). Joan and Roger had been to Antigua before but hadn’t been to Nelson’s Dockyard so that’s where we asked the taxi driver to take us. Afterwards, we asked the driver to take us to a nice beach with snorkling opportunities. What’s the chance of him taking us to the beach Joan and Roger had spent their holiday at? You guessed it, same beach but there was no snorkling!

St Maarten

Hot with heavy(ish) showers. Taxi to nudist beach, via the rest of the island. Saw no nudists, I think they saw us coming!! Beautiful white sand at last.

Lunch on board then ashore to send you this, then we girlies will hit the shops (Warning to Clive-it will be too late to stop her by the time you read this!) while Roger soaks up the precious rays-it has gone cloudy again. All together now- shame!!!

Joan is keeping up the pilates, but very popular, so crowded. Roger reports that the comedian was very good. The rest of the party (sorry, harem)were pooped and went to bed early.

Tortola

We are now on Tortola, one of the British Virgin Islands. We’ve been round the Old Governor’s House and had our history lesson (poor Brenda!). Don’t want to be here during the hurricane season based on what one did in 1924. Jackie has gone off to swim with dolphins.

 We snorkled at Barbados (even Brenda) and swam with turtles and even got a tow! Another swimmer thought I was life saving Brenda because I was towing Brenda back to the beach by pulling the back of her life jacket.

Weather baking hot now (you can’t please some people!)

St Vincent

Weather great today. We’ve had a day on the beach, snorkled and tasted some local fare (coconut dumpling, bread fruit, yam and bread fruit stew cooked on the beach with plum fruit to follow). Yesterday we were in St Lucia and Jackie flew around the island in a helicopter before the monsoon struck! Saw humming birds, frigates and pelicans.

 Heading back to the ship for afternoon tea and ice cream sundaes.

 Jackie was given some shells from an admirer. Saving them for Toby.

Grenada

cab trip round the island, but not without it’s hazards! Brenda has beautiful ‘yellow ‘ eyes and had an offer to leave her husband and stay on Grenada forever – no way!!! (Jose) Roger had a less interesting proposition from a drunk when viewed a fortress (which faces inland-it seems the English were very stupid) Just as well there was a security man on hand. Lunch on board then back to shore to send you all this update. Interesting trip to spice farm as well as factory. Also suicidal jumpers into deep pool below waterfall (one of these men was the one who thought he could give Brenda a better lifestyle-shame he was drunk!)

Cruising

Arrived on board later afternoon. Ship is huge! Day 1 at sea finding our way around. Massages for 3: excellent start!
Trinidad: Rain stopped play! but went on organised trip anyway. Do not recommend Caribean beaches in the rain.

Isla Margarita: Two factions, Roger and Joan stayed around the Quay area (Joan’s eaten too much fruit!) and enjoyed a swim. Other group took Jeep ride around the island and into mangrove swamp. Saw sea horses, star fish, pelicans and tarantula!

Elaine – No chance to get to blog until now so will read message shortly. Phone signal disappears when we are at sea.

Just set sail for Grenada.

Test

I’m just making sure I can drive this thing.

Passing the baton

Well I guess we can’t be the only ones allowed to jet off for a bit of adventure and sunshine. Mum & Dad, along with Auntie B, Valerie and Jackie are off on a cruise, and it seems that they have become keen bloggers and have decided to take over our blog!

We now do not take responsibility for the quality of content posted from now on – have fun guys and happy blogging!

Karin & Michelle