Category: Caribbean

Captain woke us up at 2am, with call for fire team to attend one of the bars. Woke us up again at 2:30, saying that it was a false alarm and that we could all go back to sleep.

Trivia was same as usual but some indiscipline slipping back into the team.

Captain came back on the Tanoy, at about 11, saying that, despite his best efforts, we would arrive late in Fortaleza. Adding that, as a result, all excursions would be cancelled. Later, we received a note, saying that we would dock at 12:30 and leave a 4pm. Furthermore, the shuttle to the town takes 40 minutes each way.

That’s about an hour and a half travelling, leaving just 2 hours to explore Fortaleza.

This assumes that buses are instantly available. A quick calculation shows that would mean 40 coaches to transport the 2,000 passengers – don’t think that will happen but wait and see.

Dancing class was intermediate rumba. Sergei continues to make the simple complicated and while some of the class are not exactly dancing with Zimmer frames it would probably be better if they were.

Slight embarrassment with Mrs Sergei but will draw a veil over the subject.

Think I’ve had enough of this. In reality, the class is full of grumpy old septuagenarians, who are intent on protecting their patch of floor (and probably pissing on it). When the dance gets going, it is like a stop motion zombie movie, with neo-corpses trying to put one foot in front of the other. Sergei is just taking the mickey and his routines are from the Rocky Horror Show and Beetlejuice.

No more! In future, the Dennis Altman Two (or maybe Three) step and the Pasadena Shuffle for me!

Everyone crowding around the pool this afternoon for the “crossing of the line ceremony” at 2pm. Guests and staff are covered in goo and thrown in the pool, while permission is sought from Neptune to cross the Equator.

Too many people to see much but all good fun.

We were told that we would cross the Equator at 4pm but my trusty compass say that the actual time was 4:45. Expect further announcements about delay in arrival at Fortaleza.

Overcast but warm and managed to complete our laps round the deck.

Still barrelling along but wind has dropped a bit, so able to get out and do our laps of the promenade deck.

Slight rumbling in the lower stomach after breakfast – decided to stop adding prunes to my muesli.

No dancing class today but team achieved average score in Trivia  – this was improved, when some of the contestants asked for a recount. Two answers were wrong – George Harrison sang Rainy Day Sunshine and the collective term for a group of frogs is a chorus (can also be an army).

Quizmaster had said John Lennon and rejected chorus.

Another day at sea tomorrow but due to cross equator at 6pm, so will be changing from Winter to Summer.

Bumpy through the night and wind persisted throughout the day.

New Captain has got his foot down and rocking along at 18 knots.

Average score at Trivia but dodged the dance class – did not recognise name of dance and movement of ship limits my freedom of expression.

Cocktail party also cancelled, due to adverse weather. The new Captain seems to be a little more restrained than the previous one and suspect it was an excuse to avoid splashing out on free drinks.

Decided to walk into Bridgetown- about half hour, dodging taxi drivers and tour operators. Told them we were looking for a car hire shop. On hearing that, one of the touts offered to rent his to us. Declined and walked on. Could not find anywhere to hire a car, even though Google was showing a few outlets – it was Sunday and that may have had something to do with it.

Finally, asked a taxi driver. He was very helpful and called a few numbers but no luck.

He then said that he could take us on an island tour, for $US150 – quite a bit cheaper than the official tours who were charging 100 per person.

Turned out to be a good choice, just four of us, in a 20 seater minibus.

The driver – Orlando – took us to all of the sights and he was great fun – including Kensington Oval and Rhiyana’s houses.

Returned to the ship mid – afternoon and found an invitation to yet another cocktail party, for tomorrow evening. This time, it’s for “World Travellers” (those who are staying for the whole trip) to meet the new Captain – there was a changeover in Barbados.

Watched some tv while getting ready for dinner – The Boys from Brazil. Thought it was a little insensitive for the German passengers but perhaps it is an itinerary for catching up with family.

Day fell into its usual pattern.

Trivia team back to full strength and achieved our best score to date – 15. Winning score was 17, so still some distance from a Cunard T shirt.

Hot and sunny for our daily three laps of the deck.

Gala night tonight, so best frocks but free glass of champagne seems to have disappeared.

It is also Burn’s night and haggis on the menu, as a starter. Gave it a try  – not bad but think it was an IKEA meatball in disguise.

Walked on to the ballroom after dinner but no dancing, as they were in the final stages of addressing the Haggis, which we had sadly missed. Probably have to sweep away entrails before start of dancing.

Bright, sunny and warm again. Captain says that, technically, we are still in the Atlantic and will not enter the Caribbean until we cross some imaginary line parallel with Haiti.

Trivia team back to full strength but score still not improving. One team member has annoying habit of saying “I said that”, when answers given and we have written the wrong one.

This morning’s lecture was a question and answer session with David Coulthard. It was interesting but largely based on his book – conveniently on sale in the lobby. I must admit that I was a little put off, when he told a couple of risqué and totally unnecessary jokes. Obviously bombed, given the age of the audience.

Had lunch in the buffet and sat with the German couple from a couple of days ago. More smiling and trying to recall the words but we managed.

They are Caribbean regulars and complaining about increase in prices. Husband is also an avid chess player – apparently, there is a group of 5, who play every afternoon.

Walked around the deck, sat in the sun and looked at the birds following the ship. Some photographers had their long lenses out, so must have been interesting. Someone said they were Brown Boobies but looked like Vultures to me.

Wanted to get back to the cabin to get ready for Captain’s cocktail party – doesn’t start until 7pm but if we get in the queue by 5, may get a glass of wine.

Unfortunately, Lynne starting with my cold, so missed it and had early dinner.

Very small island – only around 7 km long.

Surprisingly undeveloped, with no large hotels or tourist traps – apart from specially built cruise terminal.

Activities are limited to tours, snorkelling and boat trips.

We chose to hire a golf cart from one of the two stalls in the terminal. The two owners were competing and the price quickly come down from 120$US to 80.

It was a bit tatty and I can’t imagine it being road legal anywhere else.

Managed to get it going, with back seat passengers still on board. As we left the terminal, noticed that there were rows of shiny new carts and realised that it would probably have been better to look around a little more.

Chugged along, with passengers hanging on and complaining, as we bounced over speed bumps.

We had asked how much petrol was in the tank, as the cart did not have a fuel gauge, or dashboard. The answer was “not much” and our priority was to find a petrol station.

We finally found one and realised that “not much” meant “fumes”.

The attendant was very friendly and suggest that we should visit the lighthouse, at the North of the island first and return via the beaches – compass bearings are probably unnecessary on an island this size, left, right, forwards, backwards would suffice.

The road to the lighthouse was quite narrow and bumpy, with houses, in various stages of disrepair, on either side and rubble on the plots in between. Although there was plenty of vegetation, populated by groups of grazing donkeys, there was no evidence of any agriculture.

The island was badly damaged by a hurricane in 2019 and rebuilding is taking some time.

More donkeys at the lighthouse, with warnings about not to get to close to them, as they are bad tempered.

Found our way back to the town and stopped at a pharmacy to buy some Nightnurse and pills for my cold – 50$US. Don’t know how the locals manage – perhaps they are immune to illness, or there is a special tourist price.

Stopped at a beachside bar for lunch but was only serving American style fast food. Ordered Enchiladas with chips, without really knowing what to expect – 3,000 calories of pure Cholesterol. Very tasty but only made it half way, or maybe two thirds, way through. Wobbled back to the cart for a bit more touring and return to the ship.

Quite surprised to find such an undeveloped island but I suppose that the size means that it can’t support much tourism.

Two days at sea coming up, before reaching Barbados.

Back to Trivia but seem to have lost two team members and down to 4. Today’s questions were a little obtuse and score at the lower end of our range.

Bright, sunny and warm. Walked around the deck and spent time outside.

Dancing class was Jive. O.K. but Sergei makes the easy seem difficult, with his over complicated explanations. Hasn’t said “Simples” yet but occasionally calls us “Peoples”.

Red and Gold gala ball tonight, where passengers supposed to wear those colours. Couldn’t find anything red and shop selection of bow ties looked like they were made for clowns – would have bought one, if they had anything that lit up, or rotated but not available.

Realised that, my newly purchased, MAGA hat was a vivid red but my plan to wear it was vetoed.

Dancing after dinner and quite late to bed.