11. Caribbean life: Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos Islands, Sint Maarten, Martinique and Barbados.

We continue the second stage of our Caribbean cruise visiting more incredible islands, all so different to each other regarding topography, history and government.
The one constant is the weather, generally in the high 20C (or 70-80F), winds light and occasional showers.
We did, however, have one tropical squall come through when we were having dinner on the ship one night, resulting in an announcement over the PA stating that outer decks were out of bounds due to heavy rain and winds of fiftyfive knots. The squall only lasted for about ten minutes.

Amber Cove is a cruise terminal on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic where we avoided the tourist shops and took a tour to the Damajagua Falls and Cascades for exhilarating slides and jumps through a natural water theme park of 27 cascades and pools.

The early morning view from our balcony as our ship reversed into Amber Cove with very little clearance.
It was always reassuring to look out and see lifeboats. 

Tropical paradise 

Such a contrast to the desert islands further south in the Caribbean. 

Local fresh produce roadside store. 

Many fences were made from sticks planted in the ground, which later sprout, giving many long term benefits. 

Let the adventure begin with a walk through the lime green foliage to the limestone canyons of the Damajagua Waterfalls and cascades.

A 2km walk through rainforest to the start of the natural water park.   

Discussing entry protocol into the water at the end of the track.
Hold the life jacket and lean forward. 

Fortunately the spectacles were safely locked away before the walk.
Hence we didn't see anything that looked dangerous.   

Drifting downstream between falls. 

Floods would present a far different ride. 

Two options available.
Either slide or jump.
To slide; feet first, hold the jacket, tuck the arms in and lean back and yell.   

Leaving the Dominican Republic and looking back to where the waterfalls are in the distant mountain range. 

Psalm 104:24-25
How many are your works, Lord!
In wisdom you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
There is the sea, vast and spacious,
teeming with creatures beyond number-
living things both large and small.

Founded by salt collectors in 1681, Turks and Caicos Islands has a population of under 5,000 people on an island of 18square miles, but somehow handles over one million visitors a year.  Grand Turk is the capital.

Continuous whistle blowing was heard from the yellow line police who enforced no-one stepped on the water side of the yellow line.
The chap in the water shows what can happen if one steps over the yellow line. 

Don risked the issue of a yellow card in taking this shot of the pristine waters of Grand Turk. 

A small boat trip around the island took us to two different snorkelling sites to take in the coral atolls and colourful fish, all while enjoying the water temperature of twenty seven Celsius. The customary tropical rum punch to quell the taste of the Caribbean Sea concluded the trip as we motored back to base.

Our small boat cruise to two snorkelling sites on the far side of the island. 

Keen snorkeller wearing one of the provided buoyancy vests which could easily have air added for increased flotation. 

Heading home. 

Carrol was in her element with all the different hues of blue. 

The 87km2 island of Saint Martin or Sint Maarten is divided roughly 60/40 French Republic and Kingdom of the Netherlands.  The island is also famous for the airport where large planes pass low over the beach to land and take off, causing havoc to beach goers.
We visited the capital Philipsburg, named after the Scottish sea captain in the Dutch navy.

Dutch flag welcoming us to Saint Martin or Sint Maarten. 

Damage from Force 5 Hurricane Irma in 2017 is still slowly being repaired.
 Winds of 293km/hour were recorded.
Imagine how terrifying it would have been!!

 Quaint main street. 

Cafe, Caribbean hat (Don in centre) and markets. 

WiFi was bought through a purchase of drinks.
Here we relished fresh mango and banana smoothies, whilst talking to our daughter and grandson on Messenger.
Modern technology is great. 

Tranquility

Taken from the same location, this motel is still awaiting repairs from Irma. 

Some windows survived Hurricane Irma. Others are still boarded up.
The hurricane raged for 8 hours.
The cannon did not offer any defence. 

The 1987 America's Cup winner Stars and Stripes has been put out to pasture in Sint Maarten, competing in casual bay races for paying tourist crews. 

Forte-de-France is the capital of Martinique, a French overseas territory.  It is known for tropical flowers and beaches, ornate balconies and birthplace of Josephine, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte.
The lush vegetation comes from over two metres of annual rainfall shared over 200 days each year.

As with many ports we have visited, a military presence from the mother country is evident.

High humidity and temperatures haven't been kind to the outside of the Sacre-Coeur de la Balata, which is located high on the hills above Fort de France.  Building was completed in 1925, a fifth of the size of  Sacre-Coeur Basilica de Montmartre situated on the highest point in Paris.  It was dedicated to the 18,000 who left the island for World War One.  1,306 didn't return.  

The inside is beautiful. 

The growth and undergrowth is amazing. 

More luxurious growth. 

The Depaz Rum Distillery has been in operation since 1651, however, was almost wiped out after the 1902 Mount Pelee eruption which destroyed all workers, cane fields, plant and machinery, and all the Depaz family except for one, who was off the island at the time.
He started from the ashes and built the whole business back up to the thriving industry it is today.

Technology may have changed, however, Rum has been produced by Depaz since 1651.
Incidentally, we looked at the distillery, out at the surrounding lush bush, then back to the distillery and thought
"Rum, Forest, Rum!"

Mount Pelee, shrouded in cloud, is a volcano which last erupted in 1932. 

The remnants of the church destroyed along with the city of St Pierre when Mount Pelee erupted in 1902 killing 29,000 people.
A prisoner in a dungeon was the only survivor.
Who said crime doesn't pay? 

Fresh coconut milk and products, and local merchandise at stalls in front of the rum distillery. 

A detour on the main road sent our minibus exploring the bushland.
Fortunately we got back to the ship in time for departure. 

Our favourite island visit was Barbados, an independent British Commonwealth nation which excelled in neatness, friendliness and natural beauty.

Barbados greeted us with another great day in paradise. 

The German cruise ship Mein Schiff  2 arrived in Barbados soon after us.
The language spoken on board is German, which is not one of our stronger points. 

As noted, we do not speak German, but were curious to know what "Gute Fahrt" translated to, as seen at the back end of the ship.
As it turned out, we did so.

Classic architecture abounds. 

The cleanliness, neatness of dress standards and general vibe of Barbados was brilliant.
All the school children were in neat uniforms and hair styles.  They obviously took pride in their appearance and their town.

The electrical standards did not appear to be so high.  

Great accessible port for pleasure vessels. 

The archway over the bridge into the dock area featuring plaques on both sides of each base. 

The Pledge.
"I pledge allegiance to my country Barbados and to my flag.  To uphold and defend their honour and by my living to do credit to my nation wherever I go."

Armoured stones were probably used to construct the various early forts around the islands. 

Barbados Wildlife Reserve occupies four acres of mahogany forest where most of the animals are free to come and go at will.  Dinner is served at 2pm each day hence the tortoises don't have time to move too far whereas the green monkeys scatter wide spread through the surrounding forests.

Red-footed tortoises are built for comfort, not speed. 

Cornering at speed was difficult.
The brick paths were made from recycled bricks from old sugar factories.

Living by keeping a low profile and pulling your head in during times of troubles enables these tortoises to live up to 50 years. 

Even Bambi was visiting. 

Brocket fawn

So sincere!
The green monkeys, so named due to their golden-green fur, were brought to the island in the 17th century and have thrived since. 

Feeding time at the zoo.
The monkeys are free to enter and leave the zoo at will and seemed to appear from nowhere when dinner was served.
The tortoises seemed oblivious of putting on weight every meal.  

Transport to the banquet.
A variation upon a theme of the modern day "Meals on Wheels".
All visitors were advised not to wear any shiny items due to the monkeys' curiosity and collecting habits.
The sequined vests were left on the bus.  

Akin to facing the back of the train. 

Tried and proven designs that have stood the test of time.
Iguanas book-ending a tortoise. 

Beautiful plumage.

Bathsheba is on the Atlantic coast of Barbados and prides itself on sandy beaches, surf, sea breezes and absolute beauty.

Remnants of an old coral reef, these rock formations have apparently been enjoying the beach scene for 30 to 50 million years. 

Not airing their dirty laundry in public but working in one of the best outdoor shops we have seen. 

After buying some souvenirs from her, the lovely lady on the right asked if we wanted to photograph her and her stall with Carrol.

A hard day in the office. 

During our visits through the islands, we found that apple pie prices varied.
Barbados $3.50, Saint Maarten $4.28,  Martinique $4.65
These are the Pie-rates of the Caribbean.

We continue on with our travels through this brilliant part of our wonderful world.

Keep well, keep positive and enjoy this brilliant world we live in.
Cheers, Don and Carrol.