accio7 428 Report post Posted December 13, 2018 I then headed up the ramp to the upper level with sentry boxes, more amazing views, and the lighthouse which was rebuilt in 1908. 8 JLMoran, Skigoofy, Guy Gadwa and 5 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
accio7 428 Report post Posted December 13, 2018 I then took the steep Triangular Staircase downstairs to the Bateria de Santa Barbara and lower level. A quick stop at the San Juan Cemetary completed my visit to El Morro. 8 MaryS, JLMoran, Jaymac Radio and 5 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
accio7 428 Report post Posted December 13, 2018 At this point I got lost and actually walked in the direction of the San Cristóbal Fort. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I elected not to go in, but I grabbed the free trolley toward old San Juan. Using Google Maps, I was able to navigate to the 16th century La Fortaleza (Governors Mansion), spotted Barrachina Restaurant (where the Pina Colada was born), the awesome Paseo de Sombrillas art installation, and Cristo Chapel (home of the Pigeon Park). I was able to spot Adventure 🙂 My second-to-last visit prior to returning to the ship was Plaza de Colon with a statue commemorating Christopher Columbus. A quick visit to Walgreen’s located across from where Adventure was docked completed my visit to San Juan. At this point, my feet were killing me and I was running late for dinner in the MDR. I will update again tomorrow and finish off Day Four after my tour of St. Kitts. 10 MaryS, Lovetocruise2002, cruiselife and 7 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
henrysea13 155 Report post Posted December 13, 2018 Outstanding blog with great pictures I was on adventure oct24 to dec2 and see how much I missed cant wait to go back I love the forts in San Juan pictures as by the time we got off the ship I had barely enough time to enjoy EL MORRO. Next time I believe I will skip going ashore in St Martin rest up and get. An early start in San Juan what I saw I loved I could feel the history I wait excited for your review and pictures of St Kitts the monkeys there were so much fun and the people so friendly.Keep up your great blog and cruise on my friend 2 accio7 and Jaymac Radio reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ABM 1 Report post Posted December 13, 2018 WOW! thank you! what an amazing blog! wonderful pictures and you look so happy 🙂 thank you for the adventure from my office 😉 1 accio7 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
accio7 428 Report post Posted December 14, 2018 Time to play catch up yet again.. sorry gang, but I hope to get some work done over the next two days while we are at sea. 🙂 Back to Day Four.. I was actually 15 minutes late for MDR dinner coming back from San Juan, but actually was able to get my order in. 3 cruiselife, Guy Gadwa and Lovetocruise2002 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
accio7 428 Report post Posted December 14, 2018 Then it was off to Studio B for the fantastic skating show, Cool Art Hot Ice. (So happy to see a Canadian amongst the skaters!) I actually took quite a few pictures of the skating show, so I will break it up and show you the highlights. 3 Guy Gadwa, Lovetocruise2002 and Sweety reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
accio7 428 Report post Posted December 14, 2018 2 1 cruiselife, Jaymac Radio and Guy Gadwa reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
accio7 428 Report post Posted December 14, 2018 6 1 Lovetocruise2002, Sweety, cruiselife and 4 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
accio7 428 Report post Posted December 14, 2018 Wrapped up Day Four by attending a concert of Adele songs by the very talented Amy Jo Slater. 6 cruiselife, Sweety, JLMoran and 3 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
accio7 428 Report post Posted December 14, 2018 It is now Day Five a.k.a. I grabbed a quick breakfast at Cafe Promenade prior to making my way off the ship and met Kareem 🙂 Besides Adventure, Harmony, Marella Explorer, MSC Seaside, and another ship I couldn’t quite get close to catch the name of. 5 Lovetocruise2002, Skid, Guy Gadwa and 2 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
accio7 428 Report post Posted December 14, 2018 I then met up with Bernard himself for my SXM Island Tour I through Bernard’s Tours. Our driver was David Taylor, a very funny, informative guide. All through the tour, he pointed out landmarks, interesting facts about the country. We crossed the Dutch - French border into the French side and made a photo stop at a lookout point, visit with sea urchins. 6 Jaymac Radio, JLMoran, cruiselife and 3 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
accio7 428 Report post Posted December 14, 2018 We made another photo stop at Oyster Pond prior to reaching the iguana farm. 5 1 Lovetocruise2002, Sweety, cruiselife and 3 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
accio7 428 Report post Posted December 14, 2018 Next, a brief photo stop at Orient hilltop before our lunch stop in Marigot. I had a very yummy lunch of pancetta, cheese, and pesto panini and pastry. 😍 (Sadly, the bakery was sold out of macaroons 😥) I had time to admire the yachts before meeting up with our group. 7 cruiselife, Traveler, Skid and 4 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLMoran 4,736 Report post Posted December 14, 2018 How many of the yachts in St. Maarten are still underwater? Back in April there were at least a half-dozen that hadn't yet been salvaged. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skid 1,590 Report post Posted December 14, 2018 @accio7, just catching up and thank you so much for your fantastic @twangsterquality blog! For you and @spiralqueen, I am confident you will have a great time in St. Kitts. We did Thenford Grey's grand tour last May and it was great. We have recommended him several times in person and here on this board and everyone has loved it. If you get lucky Thenford himself may be your guide. But no fear...he runs the family business and all his people are great. Enjoy the rest of your cruise and have a safe return home! 2 accio7 and spiralqueen reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
accio7 428 Report post Posted December 14, 2018 We made the obligatory stop at an extremely crowded Maho Beach before driving quickly through Simpson Bay Marina on our route back to port. Agreed with those who thought it was a little bit of a tourist trap, but it’s worth seeing once. Overall, this was a terrific tour and I will definitely consider Bernard’s Tours for my next visit to St Maarten. At the terminal, I bought, drank $2 bottle of Corona at a duty free ship before returning to the ship. We sailed to our next destination under a wonderful sunset. I will finish off Day Five and hopefully Day Six tomorrow 🙂 8 ellcee, Jaymac Radio, Guy Gadwa and 5 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MaryS 47 Report post Posted December 14, 2018 13 hours ago, accio7 said: Next, a brief photo stop at Orient hilltop before our lunch stop in Marigot. I had a very yummy lunch of pancetta, cheese, and pesto panini and pastry. 😍 (Sadly, the bakery was sold out of macaroons 😥) I had time to admire the yachts before meeting up with our group. We went to that bakery too when we were there 2 weeks ago. The panini's were really good. 1 accio7 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
accio7 428 Report post Posted December 15, 2018 Dinner again in the MDR was excellent, with a performance of O Sole Mio by the waitstaff during dessert 👍 5 Lovetocruise2002, cruiselife, Skigoofy and 2 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
accio7 428 Report post Posted December 15, 2018 I wrapped up Day Five with a show by ventriloquist Kevin Johnson, Holiday Harmonies on the Promenade with some of the RC singers, and the Dancing under the Stars party on the pool deck. 5 JLMoran, cruiselife, Guy Gadwa and 2 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
accio7 428 Report post Posted December 15, 2018 It is now Day Six, a.k.a I grabbed a quick breakfast at Cafe Promenade before heading off the ship to St. Kitts. 3 Guy Gadwa, cruiselife and Lovetocruise2002 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skid 1,590 Report post Posted December 15, 2018 @accio7 Hi Christine, Hope you enjoyed St Kitts. Did you get to meet Thenford Grey? How was your tour? I actually took my avatar from one of the stops on the tour--it's where the Atlantic Ocean (on the left) meets the Caribbean sea. Did you happen to notice the rest room sign in the building--it's one of best ever! 2 Lovetocruise2002 and JLMoran reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
accio7 428 Report post Posted December 15, 2018 Rushed a bit to finish aforementioned breakfast, but I managed to meet up with Mr. Grey of Thenford Grey Tours for my Grand Island Tour of St. Kitts. Mr. Grey was our guide of our group of 20 and he was very funny, very knowledgeable, with a passion for his home country and meeting visitors. He pointed several historical landmarks en route to our first destination, Romney Manor. Quiet day in port with just Adventure and another ship from a luxury line tendered in the distance. 6 1 Skid, JLMoran, Guy Gadwa and 4 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Auto 199 Report post Posted December 17, 2018 Just joining in- great pics! Now I need to go to San Juan... 1 accio7 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monctonguy 1,189 Report post Posted December 17, 2018 Looks like great time and ship....we are looking at maybe Adventure in April so following along! 1 accio7 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
