Vacation Time Again!!

[bongobobny]

OK, I left off at the Ruins in Mexico. Well, besides the ruins...

 

we also saw a monkey in a tree!!

 

Coming back from the shore excursion, I wonder how these guys liked their expedition!

 

On the way back to Tampa at the end of part one of the cruise, we went under the Tampa Bay Bridge. Talk about just clearing...

 

After doing pretty much nothing in Tampa, the next stop was Key West, FL. We had been there a few times already so all we did was walk around. It was St Patrick's Day weekend there (Hey, Key West finds ANY excuse to party) so the party crowd was out in force!

 

We stopped for some corn fritters and spotted this radical bike...

I think he has some kind of alignment issue here!

 

 

Next stop, San Juan, Puerto Rico. They had a rather unusual choice for their motorcycle cops!

 

We shopped in the afternoon, and in the evening we saw a latin traditions show. The guitarist is a world famous flamenco guitarist and even was on the Ed Sullivan show!

 

Next stop, St Thomas...

[mraf]

Glad you had a good trip. Oh yeah, I see the flamengo guitarist.

[snyper316]

Chinese knock off of the Honda rockus common issue with Chinese bikes... I loved them cause there cheap to buy and maintain but you get what you pay for...

 

"Never ride faster then your guardian angel can fly."

[bongobobny]

Well, here we are in St Thomas! We went to Blackbeard's castle where we met a pirate who told us a tale...

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We were offered a guest room but we kindly refused...

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Later on, in town, we stopped for conch fritters at a place called the Beer Gardens and were entertained by a local musician warming up for an evening gig elsewhere

 

Here's something I want to show you from Cozumel, Mexico! Here they have truth in advertising!!!

 

I applaud them for this advertising!!!

 

Next stop, St Johns!!!

[bongobobny]

Before we leave St Thomas, here's a view of a small area of the harbor. Any guesses as to how many millions of dollars there are in yachts alone?? Some people have waaaaay too much money!

 

At St. Johns, Antigua we took a bus tour and the first stop was at an old fort up on a hill with a spectacular 180-degree view. You can understand why it was a strategic point in the defense of the island!

 

From there we went to Nelson's Shipyard!

 

Our tour guide explained this interesting array of three devices that they would tie the ships to one side at a time, and then they would turn the cranks which would draw them on their side while still in the water, so they could scrape barnacles and service the hull if necessary!

 

We were also treated to a free drink at their bar. The ceiling is an interesting graffiti artwork!

 

After a wonderful afternoon of touring and shopping, it's time to get back on the boat. Hmmm, which one was ours anyway?!!?

 

Next stop, Castries, St Lucia...

[dogman]

some great photos Bob. Thanks for sharing

[bongobobny]

Here we are in St. Lucia!! Today's shore excursion is a ride on this new trolly train! All aboard!!

 

 

They have a very peaceful and attractive harbor!

 

 

The tour got delayed a little by a demonstration march for their recently passed away Poet Laureate...

 

 

The first stop was at their "Central Park" and across the street from their oldest Catholic Church that they are restoring. The pictures do not do justice to the inside of the building...

 

Once back outside I spotted these bikers...

 

They were followed by a bunch of students of various ages marching against drugs!! St Lucia must like marching! If you look across the street from the trolley train you will notice the oldest tree on the island located in the park!

 

 

When we left the port of Castries, we were given a cruise ship tour of the island. At the end of the island, there are two mountains known as the Tetons. There was also this grand sailing vessel in the area that was in one of their harbors and came out in full sail for a photo op that we just happened to be in the area for!! Here's the crazy part, our ship captain literally did donuts in the ocean with the cruise ship doing 2 1/2 complete revolutions with the side thrusters!! So, who was putting on a show for who?!!?

 

Next stop, Curacao!!!