Cruising Obsession

I'll admit it. When it comes to vacations, I can be a little obsessive about planning. I will book my trip months in advance and spend hours upon hours researching places to see and things to do. This obsession becomes particularly severe when the vacation involves a cruise. Multiple vacation locations require lots more research.

Paul and I booked our cruise a couple months ago...this would be the cruise we're taking in January of 2007. Still more than seven months away, I've spent over 100 hours reading cruise reviews, visiting tourist information locations, reading about shore excursions offered through the cruise ship and through on-line tour companies. I'm a cruise fiend!

Here's how things are shaping up so far. Of course, this is all subject to change, should my research uncover more intriguing options.

SUNDAY, San Juan: Sightseeing before boarding the ship

• Explore Old San Juan.
• Possibly tour rum factory in Catano if there's enough time/interest.

MONDAY, St. Thomas: Sapphire Beach

• Taxi to Sapphire Beach in St. Thomas - Go parasailing.
• If beach gets boring, go souvenir shopping or taxi (one mile) to Red Hook to take ferry ($3/per person, 15-20 minutes each way) to St.John to explore there.

TUESDAY, Dominica: Hiking in the rain forest, 5 hours

• Begin with a drive on the winding road through the Morne Trois Pitons National Park.
• Stop at a traditional bay oil factory where you will learn how the base of perfumes and soaps are extracted.
• Reboard your bus for the final leg for your journey to the starting point of your hike.
• Begin your hike with a walk down a steep hill to the valley of the Sari-Sari River.
• Experience an exotic, challenging, and invigorating hike along,across and in the river.
• Arrive at your destination, the Sari-Sari Falls. Choose to view the spectacular falls from the overlook or continue on the adventurous hike to the pool of the waterfall.
• Take some photos and let the energy from the power of the falls energize you.
• Hike back to the first crossing of the river for a meal, a Dominican "cook up by the riverside" prepared on an open fire.
• Continue your hike to a black volcanic sand beach where you will enjoy a complimentary fruit juice or rum punch.
• Ride in your bus back to the ship. Expect to get your feet wet on this true river adventure.

WEDNESDAY, Barbados: Catamaran and Turtle Encounter - 5 hours

• Mimosas and a continental breakfast will greet you as the crew prepares the vessel to sail.
• A stop along the coastline in a sheltered bay where you will have the opportunity to swim in the clear Caribbean waters or join the instructors for a snorkel expedition over a reef.
• A buffet lunch that will be served onboard as you make your way to your next stop, featuring fascinating wild green and hawksbill sea turtles.
• A stroll on a powder-soft beach awaits you before reboarding the catamaran and then relax and enjoy as you unwind on the return sail.

THURSDAY, St. Lucia:

• Beach Day

FRIDAY, Antigua: Kayak & Snorkel Adventure (4 hours)

• Take a 25-minute journey from the pier to Mercer's Creek kayak clubhouse on Antigua's beautiful east coast. View the spectacular seascape and the tiny islands in the North Sound Marine Park.
• Board a motorboat for a short ride to a picturesque lagoon where your kayak is waiting.
• Participate in a safety briefing and orientation before your guides lead you out on a 2-person, sit-on-top kayak. Paddle through waterways and inlets of tiny uninhabited islands, mangrove alleys and scenic bays in safe, coastal waters.
• Continue with an exhilarating 20-minute ride by boat to Bird Island, one of fourteen uninhabited islands in the marine park. Stroll along the island's two white sand beaches, reefs, and hills. Watch for shy turtles, stingrays, starfish, conch, parrot fish, egrets, frigates, pelicans, and humming birds. Relax under a coconut tree, enjoy a swim in the sparkling shallows off the beach, or take a short, guided nature walk to photograph the panoramic views. Or, take the short boat ride to the reefs to snorkel "till your heart's content".
• Chilled aroma therapy towels and floral foot baths await while your taste the famous nutmeg rum punch on your return to the club house.

SATURDAY, At sea

SUNDAY, San Juan: Fly home to the snow.

If you decide to take the cruise too, look for me on-board. You'll be able to find me. I'll either be in the disco or up on top of the piano!

-------------------------------------

Internet here has been out with all the storms. It's rained endlessly. For the first time in the six years I've worked at my job, the company made an annoucement over the loud speakers (who knew we had loud speakers??), asking anyone who parked in either of the lower two parking lots to move their cars to higher ground. It seemed the lovely bubbling brook nearby had become a lake! Will it ever stop??