My next adventure will be the Grand Voyage of Asia...

This 82-day adventure is planned for later this year.

A walk around Charlotte Amalie

I took about a two hour walk around the St. Thomas capital.  I toured the fort that was established in the early 1600s and visited the monument to the first settlers of Jamestown, Virginia, who landed here before completing their voyage.  It's a beautiful city that's recovering from the devastation of last fall's hurricane.



A local dancer in tradition Caribbean garb (no so sure about the red tennis shoes) was waiting to entertain passengers as we disembarked the ship.  A steel drum player was providing the music.

The beautiful and clear waters of the harbor.

I visited the fort that was built in the early 1600s.  I got many shots from the roof.

It was a beautiful day.

Fort Christopher is the building in red.

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI – Final port-of-call on the Grand Voyage

The ship just arrived back in the USA, and I’m to go through US Customs this morning before being able to exit the ship.  This is our final port in the 2018 Grand South America/Antarctica, and this may be my last post until my next trip. 

I was here in St. Thomas last January.  You can see the damage; however, it doesn’t appear as bad as it was in Dominica. 

I don’t have an excursion today because most excursions had to do with beach activities.  I’m still nursing a skinned shin that I got in the Amazon, so swimming isn’t the best activity for me right now. 

There are two sea days after today for packing and preparing to disembark.  There are several folks I’ve met who will continue on the Prisendam for another 58 days for a trip to the Mediterranean and back.  However, I’m glad to get back home next week!

The bay is still beautiful despite some rough times last November.

The yachts are still here, too.

You can see damage to man a roof.

Much of the vegetation and leaf canopy has been removed, but it is regenerating.

Last year there were three cruise ships docked here.  Right now we're the only one in Charlotte Amalie.

Again, you can see some of the damage from the hurricane.

I rode the lift up to this observation deck last year.  I understand it is closed and hasn't reopened at this point.

Roof damage is obvious.

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, is a substitute port of call.  The Grand Voyage was slated to go to Tortola; however, we were notified early in the voyage oft his change.  There was too much damage in Tortola to accept a cruise ship.

Domica's Favorites...

My tour today included several of the natural highlights of Dominica. 

My first photo was taken from Morne Bruce to see a panoramic view of the seaside.

Next stop was the Dominica Botanic Garden, but it was heavily damaged.

The garden was to have Dominican parrots, but the damage resulted in no parrots being present.

The sound of chain saws was nonstop while our group was present.

That's a school bus under the tree.

The way to Trafalgar Falls required a winding mountain road.  Electricity is out in over 50% of the island, and most of the people in this area haven't had power since the hurricane last November.

There are two falls in the park (three during the rainy season).

This is a rainforest area of the island, and it receives lots and lots of rain.

The last stop on the tour was the Trois Pitons National Park which is home to the Emerald Pool.  The pool is said to have healing and restorative powers.  Again, the canopy of trees covering the area was heavily damaged.

A couple is taking advantage of the Emerald Pool in the national park.

The color is emerald.  It's clear water that reflects the vegetation of the area.

Another angle of the pool.

The workers have restored the pathway bridges, but the canopy of green has been stripped away by the winds.

Large uprooted trees are everywhere.

Despite the destruction, there is much beauty in the area.

I took one final picture from the pier to the ship.

Dominica is often confused with the Dominican Republic.  However, it's a very small, formerly British colony that consists of islands that were created through volcanic activity.

Arriving in Roseau, Dominica

This is my first trip to Dominica.  It’s a beautiful island, but you can see that recovery is still underway from last year’s hurricanes. The damage is in the vegetation and trees.  If you look closely, roofs are missing and/or tarps are in place.  I’m sure they’re happy to have the visit from tourists to generate additional revenue. 

I’m taking a tour in which I’ll see many of the natural wonders of this colorful island.

One of the navigation officers docks the ship.