Apr 2007

We have now arrived in Barbados and met up with Bob's sister and b-i-l, Margaret and Mick. The weather so far has been very hot, with the occasional shower - the humidity being 90+ (very sticky!!). Consequently we have had to drink lots - we know it should have been water, but the rum here is very good and very cheap!! Anyway, we need to anaesthetise ourselves so we don't feel all the mosquito bites!!!

The cricket so far has been good fun, although England managed to drag it painfully out! The Australia vs Ireland match was all over by lunchtime and we didn't manage to use all our drinks tokens - 8 per match each (we tried!!).

The evenings here don't start until 10pm and the music and dancing goes on very loudly until 3am or later!!! Still, with enough rum .....!! Can you see a pattern emerging??

We have one more week in the sun and four more cricket matches to endure - I mean enjoy, that is if England get their act together and the others don't!!

The knee is slowly improving and Jan is managing on one crutch most of the time (although with the rum 2 are necessary!!). Haven't done much sightseeing, just lazing around on the beach or by the pool on the days in between the cricket. We were thinking of doing a tour of the rum factory, but can't find the energy yet!!

It's a hard life!!!!

Having staggered off the ship (both because of the waves and the excess food and drink!) we made it back to our hotel in Coral Gables, a very pleasant suburb of Miami. We did a bit more sunbathing here and retail therapy with a visit to Dadelands Mall. They have everything in these Malls - even a wheelchair for Bob to push me around in!!

We then decided to seek a bit more action so moved our base to Downtown Miami and are now staying in the Holiday Inn opposite Bayside. This is a newly redeveloped quayside area, similar to Pier 39 in San Francisco - full of shops, restaurants, bars and cafes. We have enjoyed wandering across the road of an evening to view the nightlife - there are free performances of various types of music and a lot of people watching!

We have also ventured further on a couple of trips. We were booked to do an Everglades tour, but when we got on the bus were told this was full and we were booked for the City and Boat tour. We decided to go with the flow and enjoyed a pleasant day seeing the sights of Miami from land and sea. We did eventually get our Everglades trip two days later (Good Friday) which was exellent. Bob even got to wrestle with an alligator (well, sort of!!!).

Its now our last day in Miami so we are doing the domestic bit - washing and ironing clothes ready for Barbados and trying to find an internet cafe which will allow us to download some pictures for you all!

Hopefully we will be able to continue the blog in Barbados, but we are not sure what the internet facilities are like. However, just look at the cricket results and you will know how much we are enjoying ourselves (or not!!). Look out for us on the TV - we are on the grassy area in the Party Stand - Jan is the one with the crutches!!! Bob's sister and brother-in-law are joining us for the cricket and it will be good to have some company!

As you will see we have managed to download some pictures now and have added some more to the previous two blogs. Enjoy!!

This is the life!! Everything is to hand - our cabin is near the lifts (sorry - elevators!!) and we can go up to the sundeck, pool, bar and self service restaurant or down to the main restaurant and casino in seconds!! The service is excellent - every time Bob steps outside the cabin to get some ice our man is there to help!

Jan's knee is very slowly improving. It is now all the colours of the rainbow as the bruising is coming out all the way up and down her leg!! Bob is still playing nursemaid, but I think the novelty is beginning to wear off!!

We have so far docked in Costa Maya, Mexico and Grand Cayman, but did not go ashore as it would mean too much hassle with Jan. However, nearly everyone else did which meant the ship was lovely and quiet - no queues for drinks or food and plenty of sunbeds to choose from!

Friday we did venture out as we landed in Jamaica and managed to nab a wheelchair to make life easier. We were greeted by Luciano - a Jamaican taxi driver who had worked in Brixton in the 70's and who wanted to make our visit to Jamaica memorable (at a price!!). He took us to the Coyaba Gardens and then Fern Gully (where Cool Running was filmed and the Jamaican Bobsleigh Team practiced!!). He also took us to Dunns River Falls where you can walk up the falls. Needless to say this was out of the question so we had a look at all the other participants falling and slipping and then headed back to the shopping mall!

Back on board we now have one more day at sea before docking back in Miami on Sunday morning.

We intend to spend the week in Miami before heading off to Barbados and the cricket!!