This is the ship we cruised on, Carnival Destiny
Every night, dinner was a theatrical and culinary event
Barbados ~ my most favorite place in the world ~ is a home of the friendliest and most laid back people I have ever met
Taking pictures from the back of an off-road vehicle is challenging but well worth it. The terrain in the north of the island is hilly and the road is always going UP or DOWN and driving is on the left.
My visit to Barbados this time consisted of an off-road tour of the rainforests I had not seen on previous visits.
The children attend school here in uniform
In Barbados, the west side of the island, which I did not visit this trip, is picture perfect, azure blue water and white sand beaches with gentle waves and the perfect tourist habitat. But here on the north and west side, the ocean is untamed and rugged, with huge rock outcroppings and pebbly beaches
This is our mighty steed today; the truck's name is Kermit
A breathtaking view of the west shore from atop one of the mountains in Barbados
Sugar cane used to be the main livelihood of Barbados; it was processed with big windmills and mostly became the famous Barbadian rum. Now the main livelihood is tourism.
Now we are on the island of Aruba! Aruba is a tiny 4+ mile long desert island, and the north eastern part is unsettled and wild.
We came to see the fantastic waterspouts! Like geysers, but out of the sea
Aruba is a wonderful little island with only a few natural wonders; this is their Natural Bridge
I, for one, never get tired of looking at and photographing the sea and its surf
Aruba's picture-perfect lighthouse
This sunset is just one of a couple dozen I captured on film
During days at sea, we claimed this part of the deck and just vegged out on lawn chairs (see feet in foreground)
Upon our arrival at St. Thomas, we took a 30 minute sea ferry to St. John's island and were amazed at the many Virgin Islands we saw on our watery ride
This is the main port on St. John, which is 80% wildlife refuge. We landed at the upper right hand pier and this photo was taken from the tour cart as we wend our way into the forest
St. John has scenery so gorgeous that it was like ODing on sheer beauty. This is one of the secluded beaches
This beach on St. John has been officially designated the most beautiful beach in the Carribean by National Geographic. My friend and I get to swim and snorkel here!
These two islands just off from the beach are an underwater snorkel tour, complete with underwater signs and spectacular colors and fish!
The view from the old sugar cane mill atop the highest hill
Last stop on St. John is the promised swim on the paradise beach! The water so blue and so warm! Pure heaven
The port, as we board the ferry to leave, couldn't be more picturesque