Month: January 2026

Off the ship earlier today, at 7:30, because we leave mid-afternoon for a longer than usual sail to get to Grand Turks at a reasonable hour (noon) tomorrow.

Once clear of all the taxi-sharks at the port, we had a perfectly lovely walk to the north along the old fortified city walls through the old City Gate, whose massive doors were built in 1634, to Castillo San Felipe del Morro.

The settlers here truly knew how to build formidable fortresses.

Leaving Morro, we happened upon what we suspect was the world’s largest craft show. Had to be at least a thousand vendors in 10×10 booths, selling every imaginable craft, and nothing we’d consider imported junk. This clearly was a big draw for residents, not just tourists.

We found Old San Juan to be absolutely charming. Loud salsa music playing everywhere, very colorful, very clean.

Back on ship, sailing by 4:00, dinner, and in for the night.

Please add a fuse on top near the cannon’s breach, and the fuse has been lit and sparkling. Also, add a lit match in my right hand, held at the lit end of the fuse.

Please add a puff of smoke and flames at the end of the cannon muzzle, as if the cannon had just been fired.

Please dress me in the armor that Spanish soldiers in the 16th century would wear.

Just an interesting boat.

Susie taking In the view

Since we are traveling together we like to open up the privacy walls so we can talk. It’s interesting to me being a passenger with this group if I just keep my mouth shut and listen, our group will have asked every question I would have asked and have the answers given by our van driver. We are a curious bunch of people always seeking to know what’s going on here and there and everywhere. That’s why I love them.

Lots of shopping in St Thomas and Dan bought me some bling. I love Amethyst. It’s my birthstone and has been over a decade since I was blessed with new bling. Our waitress from The Delly Deck walked us over to this jeweler to speak with Larry who according to her was trustworthy. Great price too. Took an hour to size it for me.

Thank you mi Amore

Dan found favor in the local BushWacker drink.

My lunch was mixed reviews of fish and chips and the infamous Johnny Cakes. Johnny Cakes equal fried dough for me served with butter and honey. Equal to the light being on at Krispie Kreme. I ate all that and left the fish which our waitress kind of knew was less than fantastic. A little dry and somehow the seasoning was off.

Back to the room to crash from sweating and walking. Tomorrow San Juan.

No planned excursions today, so we had a relaxed breakfast at the Marketplace.

Got off ship around 9:00 and walked to the tram station to ride up to Paradise Point.

Goober. Yeah, I know.

Nice view of Long Bay. Our ship, Sky Princess, on the right; Sun Princess on the left, sister ship to the Star Princess, that we sailed last November.

Heads in the clouds. Literally.

Hilltop, less oxygen, perfect place to try a Baileys Bushwacker: Baileys, Kahlua, Ameretto, Vodka, Rum, and various cocoa-y flavorings. Good enough to get another at lunch.

Stumbled across a little shop called My Brother’s Workshop. It’s a non-profit that teaches woodworking skills to the island’s at risk teens. Some of their crafts are sold in the shop, so as fellow woodworkers we were honored to make a purchase.

Back at sea level, we did a lot of walking and made a contribution to the local purveyors of fine jewels and diamonds.

Will update later if anything interesting happens.

More than 20 years ago we all belonged to our church life group in Cumming GA. Collectively, we had over 20 children between us all. Sunday afternoon dinners were loud, crowded and full of activity.

Fast forward to childless empty nesters now. We’ve started traveling together first just renting air bnb cabins in North Ga but we have definitely evolved to week or more long adventures and cruises to beyond boarders.

This time in St Martin, St Thomas, San Juan, and Grand Turks and Cacos.

Here we are in St Martin on a tour of the island hitting the photo opp points.

St Martin was fun from our Van tour. Up and down winding roads with ocean views. We stopped at a croissant and coffee on the Dutch side lunch on the French side and Gouda cheese also on the Dutch side.

Riddled with cheap junk places it was hard to find locally made items to celebrate and remember our time here. We like to buy gifts from local artists.