Day 06 Martinique. Comment ce va?

This is the third time we have visited this very French island. Everything is priced in Euros and English is not widely spoken.

New construction contrasts with the very old buildings on the side of the hills in Fort de France.

We  dickered unsuccessfully with some taxi drivers at the pier. They wanted 40 Euros each to take us to Saline Beach and wait for us. (My best offer was $25.00)  After very little deliberation we decided to take the ferry across the bay to a beach.  ($9.00 ea. return) After Half Moon Cay, Water Island and Saint Bart's this beach was somewhat of a letdown. Its old European influenced buildings were quaint if not architecturally significant. 

  
Although somewhat cloudy it was very hot and rentable umbrellas were scarce.   Our captain has informed us that the recently cloudy weather is due to an unusually early sandstorm the event in the Sahara desert Which has reached the upper atmosphere.  

 Pete and Donna would have enjoyed looking at the old fort that guarded the town of Fort de France.

Tonight was our second formal night and everyone was dressed to the nines.  Our waiters Andy and Wierdi (pronounced werdy) have been nothing less than perfect.  Each night I order my special concoction:
Dark rum over ice, in a large glass, with a slice of lime and a side of soda water. I add 2 packets of artificial sweetener and voila. My new drink I call "Caribbean Confusion"
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Day 05 St. Bart's Only 8 Sq. Mi. with 14 Beaches

What do you do on a tiny island with fourteen beaches?

Answer: Go to the beach. This is the Caribbean you know. It is famous as an escape for the rich and famous. Who knows, we might see Georgio Armani or Bon Jovi or Roman Abramowich.

 This is likely the only boat in St. Bart's that we could even come close to affording. I spent the afternoon aboard her. What a motley crew.

Today they brought my new refrigerator after I'd given up all hope of receiving one. Small wonders never cease! Editor's note: They never did charge me the $2 a day for the fridge. Hurrah!

 Roman Abramowich owns this yacht "Luna" (left) seen out our window. His larger boat, "Eclipse" is the largest private yacht in the world and according to the internet, is presently berthed in Barcelona, Spain.  Security was tight as we watched it re-position itself away from the proximity of our tender boats' course. A hovering patrol boat with security personnel kept small craft like Sea Doo's away with loud-hailers.

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Day 04 Water, Water at Water Island, St Thomas, VI

They  put a different mat in the elevator every day.  I'll keep up the tradition on my blog. The mats  come in handy when you wake up and can't remember what day it is.

My favorite spot in St Thomas is Honeymoon Beach on Water Island. You can only get here by the small ferryboat from Crown Bay. It isn't listed on any of the cruise ship activities and so it is very quiet. Don't tell anybody about this tropical paradise. Last year, on the Grand Princess, we docked at the other dockage at Havensight, which accommodates the larger ships. That meant we didn't get to come here since there is no ferry from there.

 Debbie of Joe's Beach Bar

 Boat sitters take a break at Joe's Bar

 Joe of Joe's Beach Bar

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