An armed Coast Guard gun boat escorted us out of Fort Lauderdale, giving justification to the name Fort, and no doubt ensuring all passengers remained on board to enjoy the warm waters, beaches and cruising life of the Caribbean.
This is also possible insurance to ensure the ships leave port without any issue or interference; avoiding a possible ship blocking the channel.
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| "Now go away and don't come back until you have enjoyed yourselves!" |
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| The gunner appeared ready for any contingency; including snow blindness. |
Our new mobile accommodation was beautiful. Koningsdam at 100,000 tonnes is the largest of the Holland American Lines fleet, although by ship standards is classified as a mid-size ship.
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Our cabin.
This is the first time we have had a balcony, contrasting to previous cruises where we have shovelled coal 18 hours a day. |
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| The middle pool with opening sun roof. |
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The aft pool with smokers to starboard; or ideally 200m off the stern of the ship.
With one exception, Don was the only one to use the pool in the early mornings. |
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| Looking sleek at 100,000 tonnes. |
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A rat's view of entry onto the ship.
Passengers were all scanned on and off the ship using cabin keycards. |
Two sea days saw us down to within 24kms of the South American country of Venezuela, to the ABC islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, all grouped together at the southern extreme of the Caribbean Sea. These islands proudly boast of all being outside the hurricane belt.
We noted that most islands of the Caribbean had changed ruling hands over the centuries. Mainly Spanish, Dutch, the United States and England. Some of the islands to this day are shared by two nationalities.
Bonaire was our first island and proudly sports Dutch heritage and influence, along with Flamingos thriving around the salt lakes.
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Flamingos thrive in Bonaire.
This is evidence of too much plastic in the ecosystem. |
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Beautiful colourful Dutch architecture.
Kralendijk is the name of the capital. The name contains the only dyke (or dijk) on the island. |
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Cactus also thrive and make brilliant cheap, secure fences.
Attempts to commit offence over the fence would have dire consequences. |
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| Salt has been the main export from Bonaire for hundreds of years. |
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| Bonairean Himalayas. |
Slavery was a key component in the salt mines, with five million slaves being taken to the Caribbean islands over 340 years. Between 13 and 25% didn't survive the voyage from Africa.
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| Slave accomodation. One open door and one window. |
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| Beach front accomodation. |
Flamingos thrive on the island.
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| Avoiding problems of the world. |
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Where do the flamingo?
They all go and group together on the edge of large salty lakes. |
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| Those legs are no doubt where the term drum sticks for poultry originate. |
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| The back two flamingos obviously had an inadequate diet in the formative years. |
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| Grace and elegance. |
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| Functional beak despite the smile being out of alignment. |
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| Gnarly tree in flamingo territory. |
Sorobon Beach Resort contrasted with the hard life of the salt flats.
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| Sorobon Beach gave the true Caribbean vibe. |
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| Rising sea levels would affect pier party goers on the pier as well as those in the hammock. |
Curacao is the largest of the ABC islands and is also one of the Netherlands Antilles islands, sports sandy beaches, and the famed Curacao liqueur. It is also a desert island receiving only 550mm pa average rainfall hence allowing cactus to thrive.
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| Our transport designed for the Caribbean climate. |
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| No boring buildings in town. |
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| Colour scheme to suit the sky and clouds |
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| Intricate detail |
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| A tour through the Curacao Liqueur factory gave a chance to sample some of their wares. |
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| Upon leaving the Curacao Liqueur factory, ordinary government buses took on a completely new appearance. |
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| The Curacao Aquarium allowed dolphins and trainers to show their aerial skills. |
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| We don't think the narrow breakwall would contain the dolphin if it didn't want to be there. |
Boys with their toys gave on a new meaning in Willemstaad, the capital of Curacao, where we saw the super yacht Tatoosh. Take note of the extra toys on board the yacht.
The super yacht was owned by the late Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, and looks to be for sale for $US160 million.
Some of the following captions are brought to you by the word "Port".
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Helicopter on aft deck.
Cruiser in front of helicopter. |
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Super yacht in port.
Sailing yacht on port. |
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The yacht is rigged, ready to go.
The mast remains rigged, and the keel is a drop down centre-board.
Summary: Important supporting and transporting on port into port for sport. |
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| Willemstaad's Queen Emma Bridge, with its original wooden boards is supported by a series of pontoon boats, which simply pivots open to allow vessels through, including the Tatoosh. |
No island getaway is complete with seeing gorgeous scenery you'd never, ever see at home- and Willemstaad's floating bridge built in 1888 is supported by 16 pontoon boats and two motors.
A siren sounds to indicate the bridge is about to swing. The gates at the entrance slam shut and moments later, the bridge swings to allow passing ships.
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| The floating bridge is otherwise known as "Our Swinging Old Lady". |
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| More Dutch heritage. |
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A serious amount of padlocks as signs of love.
The local locksmith/hardware supplier must also love this structure.
No doubt a heavy heart! |
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The floating swinging bridge by night.
Quite unique! |
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Fireworks celebrate our cruise ship being in town.
Newcastle would do well to see how some ports welcome cruise ships. |
Aruba was discovered by the Spanish in 1499, claimed by the Dutch in 1636, however the island wasn't occupied until 1754 when the Dutch settled there. The population of 70,000 is boosted by 500,000 visitors each year.
The annual rainfall is just 500mm, meaning with an average temperature of 27C, water is somewhat limited on the island.
Oranjestad, the capital, is so quaint and again welcoming to tourists, supplying free streetcars from the cruise dock to the shopping district.
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| Dutch/Caribbean influence with minimal lawn mowing. |
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| Tiny house with plenty of car parking availability. |
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| The Alto Vista Chapel with lots of overflow seating |
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Caribbean natives.
Both enjoy sunshine and the occasional drink. |
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The California Lighthouse on Aruba, named after the steamship California which was wrecked nearby in 1891.
We note that this is not the same Californian which failed to act during the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, nor the same California which sported a gold rush in 1848. |
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| Local small business showing innovation of keeping drinks cool by mounting a fridge generator on the front bumper. |
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An idyllic chance for snorkelling.
This was our favourite snorkel site for the variety of fish and coral, however we felt none came close to the Ningaloo Reef off Western Australia. |
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| Aruba has two streetcars, this one and a single level streetcar offering free transport to and from the cruise terminal. . |
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| So many options on bright and colourful souvenirs. |
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| Combined architecture from all over the world. |
Having started our tour of the islands at the southern extent of the Caribbean islands, we now head north, enjoying the mild weather conditions and listening to Bob Marley being played liberally everywhere we go in this part of the world.
As Bob Marley quoted and sang: "Don't worry about a thing, everything is gonna be alright!"
And to quote another well loved song, "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me, Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be!"
Cheers, Don and Carrol.
