Tinbergs on Tour

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Wednesday, November 16, 2016 – Philipsburg, St. Maarten, N.A. – Mostly Sunny – 85F

Distance from Charlestown, Nevis to Philipsburg, St. Maarten: 74 Nautical Miles

As is pretty much always the case, it is a picture perfect day in St. Maarten. There are also eight ships here today – Quest is barely a blip on the radar compared to the monsters docked at Philipsburg. Among the giants are the new P&O Britannia, The Anthem of the Seas, and the new major domo of cruise ships, the Harmony of the Seas, the largest ship on the seas.

In the picture below, the Anthem of the Seas (background) is docked while the Harmony of the Seas is backing into her docking spot. Together, those ships are carrying about 12,000 passengers (if nearly full). And that’s just two of the ships paying a visit to this port. (I found out later that the Harmony OTS was on her maiden voyage).

Anthem and Harmony of the Seas

P&O Britannia (and a ship behind her)

As is our usual routine, we are going to walk around the town and end up in our favorite spa for some pampering. This time out, I actually texted the spa to a) see if they were still open; and b) whether they had any openings today. They responded and we are on their schedule.

After another very nice breakfast, we walked to the Water Taxi pier and purchased two all-day for $7 (or in our case, a round trip) pass for the taxi. This time, the Water Taxi dropped us off at the far station. That was fine with us, because we had intended to get some steps in.

The beach was beautiful (surprised there weren’t more people out there).

Philipsburg Beach

The spa folks recognized us and were happy to see us. We both had great treatments and the owner said that next time we came, she would have champagne waiting for us – we’ll see since the next time we are due on the island is well into next year. I should mention that the spa is located in a new mall complete with a fancy restaurant and and upscale clothes store.

We then walked around the town, even venturing beyond Front Street to Back Street. Staying in the shade we walked to the water taxi drop-off – a fair distance. We made a stop at a jewelry store for the obligatory free beer (always a bit warm). This water taxi stop cannot be the main one since we waited over 45 minutes for our taxi to arrive – they run much more often at the main terminal.

There was some local entertainment while we waited for the water taxi. A woman in some kind of Carnival costume danced her way down the strip mall leading to the pier. Along the way, she picked up some sidekicks. I captured the whole thing on my cellphone.

“The Rhythm is Going to Get You”

The taxi eventually showed up and we were soon back on the ship for lunch. After lunch, we hung out on the open deck – all of the ships provided nice shade.

When you have this many ships docked, the order of leaving is very important – we are staying late because tonight is “The Azamazing Evening”. One of the first ships to go was the gargantuan Harmony of the Seas. The only way I could get the whole ship in the frame was to shoot it in panoramic mode.

Harmony OTS Departing

We had dinner up in the Buffet and then waited for our deck to be called to head out to the pier for the “Azamazing Evening”. I was able to get a picture of Ellen at the entrance to the “Canyon of Ships” (below) – between the Britannia and Quest.

We managed to get pretty good seats for the performance (the back row but OK). There was a warm up band playing when we got there and it looked like just about everyone was attending. Rum punch was the refreshment of the evening.

Pre-Show Show

There were guys on stilts walking around to provide additional atmosphere.

The Main Act was “The Unconventional Quartet”, a string quartet composed of two guys and two girls, two or three violins and one bass. The songs were apocryphal but entertaining. I tried to get shots from various angles. The finale involved flag bearers/waivers joining the musicians on stage. It was all very professional and entertaining.

“Unconventional Quartet” Performs

Based on our past experience, we knew a fireworks show would cap off the evening. Wanting to get a better view, we left a bit early and headed to the top deck. While we were walking back, the nearly new P&O Britannia (their biggest ship) was departing. The ship had to back all the way out because there wasn’t enough room to swing the big ship around.

Britannia Leaving

From that vantage point, we could see both the launch site and the fireworks themselves. It was pretty neat.

Azamazing Fireworks

A very nice day in St. Maarten.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016 – Charlestown, Nevis – Partly Cloudy – 82F

Distance from St. John to Charlestown, Nevis: 142 Nautical Miles

On our previous trips to this part of the Caribbean, we have always stopped at St. Kitts and Nevis was the island we saw in the distance. Today, we are stopping at Nevis for the first time. Nevis’ claim to fame is the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton and the marriage venue of Admiral Horatio Nelson.

This is another tender port

Tendering to Charlestown, Nevis

and we are both on the same tour today - “Nevis Full Island and Historical Tour”. Our transport was a small van (eight passengers) and I got to ride shotgun again.

Our first stop was at the “Nevis Historical Museum”, where we were greeted by a local girl who read some information about the island and its history (especially Alexander Hamilton). Her island brogue was so thick, I was unable to make out much of what she was saying. The passengers went into the museum – I did a quick pass through and stayed outside.

The companion island of St Kitts could be seen across the way.

I was also able to get a picture of the Quest anchored.

Our drive took us through Charlestown and then out into the countryside.

Charlestown

Our first stop was the historic Golden Rock Inn Hotel. This hotel – very colorful (and with hidden but nice facilities) – sits on 100 acres at the foot of Nevis Peak. The buildings date back to the 1800s. It was an undefined but relaxing rest stop (just kind of sat around for a while).

Golden Rock Inn Hotel

Our final stop was at the Nisbet Plantation Beach Club (rated #1 resort on Nevis by themselves on their website). This beachfront resort, where we stopped off for complementary drinks (I think I had a beer), is made up of cute cottages surrounding an open green area. We walked from the main house down to the beach where the bar was. I met up with Ellen and we spent a relaxing few moments just hanging out.

Nisbet Plantation Beach Club Beach

From there, it was back to Charlestown. The roads were good and the ride smooth. We stopped briefly (and I couldn’t get any pictures) at the Cottle Slave Church. The church was built in 1824 and it was the first Church (it was an Anglican Church) that welcomed everyone including slaves.

Heading Back

A short return tender ride and we were back on board the Quest. From the open deck, we could get a great view of Nevis. A tropical rain storm created a rainbow, finishing off an interesting and relaxing day.

Nevis from Quest and A Rainbow Over Nevis

Monday, November 14, 2016 - St. John, USVI – Partly Cloudy – 81F

Distance from Miami to St. John: 1074 Nautical Miles

Our first port – St. John, USVI – and it’s a totally gorgeous day in the Caribbean.

St. John from the Quest

Four of the five ports we are visiting are tender ports. There are no tender tickets on the Quest so passengers can grab a boat anytime they are ready to go ashore.

We are both on the same tour today - “Panoramic St. John with Trunk Bay”. Our meeting time is at 9:00 AM so I can’t have breakfast in Windows (not enough time). We ordered room service – pancakes and scrambled eggs, oatmeal, decaf, lox, egg white omelet. The food was delivered right on time at 6:30 AM and it was hot and fresh (advantages of a small ship). The food was good.

We arrived in the Cabaret Lounge right on time and in a few minutes I was leading my group to the tender gangway. When I got down the stairs, the place was packed with no-excursion tender folk. I couldn’t get on the tender with my group but I would meet them on the shore.

The tender ride to the island was smooth and short.

On the way in, I spotted an old friend, the Sea Dream II, anchored. I need to get back on that ship one day.

Sea Dream II

When I got to shore, I located my open-air van (Bus 1) but every seat was taken (4X5 across including two ladies who were sitting in the cab’s seat next to the driver/guide). The driver wasn’t very helpful but directed me to a woman who was apparently the coordinator. She told me to go on number 2. Apparently, we all go on different buses than we were assigned to. This bus had 18 passengers and I got to sit shotgun in the cab. Very comfortable.

Our first stop was a a view stop overlooking Cruz Bay – the largest town on the island.

Cruz Bay, St. John, USVI

We continued to circumnavigate the island, with another view stop overlooking Caneel Bay.

Caneel Bay

Continuing our coastal tour, we next got a look at Trunk Bay. According to our guide, Trunk Bay has one of the nicest beaches in the Caribbean or maybe the world. At the end of the tour, we would be making a 30 minute stop at Trunk Bay to see for ourselves.

Another Vista Point

Trunk Bay

Big Maho Bay

Series Above – Maho Bay

We stopped at the Annaburg Sugar Plantation ruins as we continued our coastal view run.

Windmill

There was a little hut either giving away (or more likely selling) small pastry items. The groups must have really been hungry since they all lined up to get some.

Bakery at Annaburg

There weren’t many flowers to be seen on St. John. On the Annaburg site, I did see some at the top of a tree (below)

Tortola BVI in the Distance

Our final stop before returning to the tender port was at Trunk Bay. The beach was very nice but I’m sure there are other beaches just as nice (we’ve been to some of them). Still it was a nice, albeit too short, a stop.

Trunk Bay Beach

On our way back to the ship on the tender, I got some nice shots of Quest at anchor.

Ellen and I stayed in touch via text so I knew when she was returning to the ship. From Windows I was able to get a picture of her tender arriving.

ET Tender Coming Back from St. John

We had lunch in Windows.

Then it was back out on the deck to read and relax.

Another interesting wrinkle in my lecture scheduling – My second talk was to take place while the ship was still anchored and in port. “The Mystery of the Romanovs” was at 5:00 PM.

Again, I was sure nobody would come but I was surprised that 60 plus folks showed up. It was a brutal scheduling spot for most people. The talk ran almost the full hour which was surprising since the same talk took only 42 minutes on the QM2.

Tonight we are being treated to a rare “Supermoon” – the moon is at its closest point in its orbit so it is about 15 percent larger and brighter.