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Published: March 24th 2007
Overlooking St. Lucia from Fort Rodney.
Chelsea, Jeanette, Kristina, ME, Kevin.
Sitting on the ledge overlooking St. Lucia after a very steep hike up the hill. From atop a look out on Fort Rodney, St. Lucia, I suddenly realized how lucky I am right now.
I think I may have been taking advantage of my current situation a little. The past two cruises have been a little bitter sweet, chalk full of emotions.
Our Sr. Manager stayed onboard our ship for another cruise to develop my manager and I a little more. Initially I was not for him staying, I thought, “You came, you saw, no go!” But at the end of the voyage, I was happy that he got to see my manager and I working together. It isn’t everyday that you find a manager that you work well with. I can say that my manager and I work very well together. We just get each other. It’s comfortable, relaxing and simple. That is what a working relationship should be.
I managed to get off of the ship in Limon, Costa Rica for a little while. I walked around the city, and just marveled. I looked up into the hill tops, strolled through the corridor of shops and small vendors selling everything from banana leave sculptures to exquisite mahogany house wares. I
Fort Rodney
As previously mentioned I love learning the history of the places that we travel too. Some more history on St. Lucia. took this opportunity to just be. It was nice to not have anything on my mind and just look around and absorb the culture. I walked down a checker board pattern road to the coast and sat and listened to the ocean and watched the local children play nearby. On my way back to the ship I noticed a Stage/Theatre in the middle of one of the parks. It was beautiful. It radiated with history and culture. I have begun to find little souvenirs for friends and family for my return home. I have waited for a while because I didn’t want to just purchase something because it’s the first thing I saw in the ports. But I have been to our ports many times now and know of things that I have eyed a few times, which make the purchases more feasible.
My manager got the news that she would be going to a TEFL - Teaching English for Foreign Languages, conference leaving in St. Maarten the next cruise. So I would again be alone for sometime. This didn’t bother me as I have been working either alone, or running the show which seemed solo for sometime.
Fort Rodney
More Fort Rodney. Like the opening line suggests this is a bitter sweet cruise for me, and a lot of others on the ship like Jeanette Catherine and some of those still within contract. Most of our friends are signing off and going home on vacation. Some are going to other companies to pursue their dreams, while others have decided that they do not wish to continue this adventure. So I sit back and watch everyone all week with tears streaming down their faces and I sit emotionless. Rather my insides are screaming with emotions but actually show them in public is a very hard thing for me.
This was the last week I will go to all of the Southern Caribbean ports with my good friends that are leaving. We will go to St. Maarten, St. Lucia and St. Kitts.
Vanessa flew out of St. Maarten to Atlanta then Las Vegas then Seattle. So I did all of the Day 3 Orientation Training. After which I got off the ship and went shopping for some souvenirs like I said before. I found the most amazing African Heritage Carving Vendor. Her work was breathtaking. I found so many things that I
Pigeon Island
Atop Fort Rodney, you get a perfect view of Pigeon Island, where the fort is located off the north west coast of St. Lucia. would want for my house wares collection. I will reconsider the items though because they are a little pricy. There is one statue called the Family Tree, which is amazing. It is 200$ so that is a little expensive, but I have yet to see anything like it in the whole world. As we go to St. Maarten, St. Lucia and St. Kitts one more time before we change our run to Cozumel, Costa Maya, Belize and Grand Cayman, I still have time to contemplate the purchase.
But after some shopping, I ran into some fellow friends doing the same thing. We went for lunch at this great little beach side restaurant called, “Firehouse”. We had BBQ Chicken wraps, they were by far one of my favourite things I have eaten in the Caribbean. The flavor was fantastic, the sauce was succulent, and the chicken juicy, truly a great meal. After Lunch Kristina, Jeanette and I all went into the ocean for some swim time. Jeanette broke her camera two cruises ago and had been using mine until today where she purchased a new underwater digital camera. It was awesome. You can take underwater pictures with it and all.
Mangrove anyone?
Kristina amoungst the Mangrove's limbs. I can’t wait for us to go snorkeling, the photos will be amazing surely. After playing in the water and jumping around on the water trampolines, we decided that we would head back to the ship. We were a little late - 6 minutes to be frank. The Chief of Security was waiting, he is a very nice man, and just shook his head and said, “GUYS!!!” we quickly ran past him.
That night Jeanette and I went to see the production show. As it would be the last one. It was great. I can still hear my friends singing, and see my friends dancing. It was great. This is also that last week that the full Christopher Allen Graves show will take place. As we are changing our route, CAGraves decided it wasn’t necessary for him to teach the new cast the show for only 2 more productions. When we change routes he will then do his show on the Carnival Miracle which is taking over our route and us theirs. Thus that was an emotional show too.
In St. Lucia, Kristina, Jeanette, Chelsea, Kevin and I went to a place called Pigeon Island. This place is
Fruit Boat
This the fruit the mystery man was selling from his boat on Pigeon Island. breathtaking. I am so happy to have experienced more of St. Lucia. Pigeon Island was a small island off of the North West tip of St. Lucia, originally used as a fort, Fort Rodney better put, in order to keep watch of the French of Martinique in 1700’s. On a clear day you can see Martinique apparently. We hiked up the hills to the top of the look out. There we were sat on top of Fort Rodney in sheer awe. The view of St. Lucia was indescribable. We had a perfect view of mountain ranges, rainforests, and the bay. All of us spent the day, lazing around treading water and enjoying ourselves. We went to this little thatched roof restaurant on the beach. And in true Caribbean fashion waited 1 hour for our lunch, but with those surroundings it seemed to fly by. We then walked around and found this little doll like item, with a coconut head and marbles for eyes - kinda creepy actually. We called it Scurvy and took some random photos with it. When we were in the water a man navigating a small boat, filled to the rim with local fruits came close and
Christopher Allen Graves
This is CAG's last show with our current cast. He will continue doing this show as a carbaret act until we re-route. He will then do this show on the Carnival Miracle. asked if we wanted any. At first a little hesitant, and then all for the adventure we purchased some of his fruit. I am not a fan of Mangoes, but let me tell you….you have never had mangoes like these mangoes. They were amazing. So juicy and orange.
In St. Kitts, Kristina, Jeanette and I went to the Marriot Hotel Beach. This is not open to the public. But if you go and say that you are going to go to the Casino and purchase some lunch and drinks they turn a blind eye. This day was sooooo relaxing. And it is something that was certainly needed. This week has been so full of emotions from everyone. And I think there has been so many tears shed we could have collected and made an ocean. At the end of the day as we were leaving, in a large fountain there is a replica of Christopher Columbus’ The Nina. Kevin started to get into the water as he was going to climb the ship for some photos. Okay, Okay, and then we all followed. Kristina stayed ashore to take the photos. It was good fun.
With all of this
happening, I managed to get my Water Rescue and CPR/AED Training certificates. God Bless Catherine who got up at 8am, to be my water rescue buddy. We played dead in the pool and learned survival recovery techniques. After what happened in Roatan, I don’t ever want to be in a situation where I feel helpless again. And this training will surely help in me not feeling that way. But the training was light hearted, easy to follow and fun.
We managed to have one more disco night before everyone leaves. As we all love to dance this was very important for everyone. We got to know some of the new cast a little better during the dancing extravaganza as well. This is a great thing because they are going to be working, playing and experience with us while we finish our respective contracts.
As this week was the last production show with all of my friends in it. The last time I will hear Kristina belt out one of her numbers, and raise her eye to me in the audience. The last time I will see Chelsea strut across the stage and flick her hair in true Diva
Lazy Days - Great Friends
Jeanette, Me and Kristina spent the day sunning ourselves on the Marriot Hotel's St. Kitts beach. style. The last time I will see Richard, kick higher than humanly possible, and dance close to the audience so we can all see his facial expressions. The last time I will see the people that I have come to know as family onboard this Carnival Legend. I wish them the best of luck in everything they do and want them to know that if they need anything I am just an e-mail, phone call, or travelblog comment away. Last week my good friend Jane, one of the Nurses onboard signed off as well. I miss her each day. She is definitely a dear soul.
In saying that, I am so happy to still have some amazing friends onboard. Jeanette, Catherine and Marlize. All seem to challenge me, enlighten me and share with me. They are one of a kind. And I am happy to have them here with me to experience the rest of my adventure.
To my friends leaving to continue their own adventures, my days will be lacking in your presence and spirit, until the day we meet again and can relive our fulfilling memories, Bon Voyage.
I will miss them dearly.
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Kim Fowler
non-member comment
Crossing the ocean in that ship!
Hey Brooks That hotel in St. Kitts is exactly where Jeff and I stayed when we were there in November. I never thought to get INTO the boat! What a great picture. Amazing that it is actually a half size replica of the original. I couldn't imagine coming across the ocean in something so small! Was the resort busy? It was like a ghost town when we were there. For such a beautiful place, it still seems somewhat undiscovered. Amazing little island isn't it? Looking forward to seeing you when you get back to Canada. Kim ps. You look amazing! Nice tan