2016 Caribbean Cruise - Days 5 and 6

Bohio Dive Resort from the water - click image to enlarge

Wednesday and Thursday were hectic days.  On Wednesday we were in Grand Turk and snorkeled and did rum tasting (the latter pretty much wiped me out) and yesterday I spent much of the day dealing with law firm work and finalizing my November column for VEER Magazine.  Both days I simply was worn out and trying to spend some time with the husband and friends also on the cruise. 

Of the islands we visited this trip, Grand Turk most won my heart, particularly since it is not over commercialized.  The international airport and main tourist hotels lies on the island of Providenciales (Provo as locals call it) on the other side of the island chain.   One of our friends arranged our excursion to be a snorkeling outing followed by rum tasting at the Bohio Dive Resort.  I cannot say enough good things about this small 16 room resort with a beautiful beach and a short boat ride from the Grand Turk "wall" where the sea bottom drops in a sheer cliff from relatively shallow to over 7000 feet in depth.  The fish and coral were amazing!

As for the rum tasting - which was after the snorkeling - our hostess did not skimp on the rum!   After trying shots of three local rums we moved on to rum drinks of various sorts.  I would definitely come back to Grand Turk and would want to stay at this resort.  With only 16 rooms, we could put together a group and have our own resort for a week. 

Busy tasting rum!

Boats that ferry scuba divers and snorkeling groups to the "Wall"

Yesterday was a day at sea.  We began the day believing were were bound back to Norfolk only to learn that a passenger had had a medical emergency and that we would be diverting to Nassau and the nearest significant hospital.  We ended up leaving Nassau around 8:00 pm and should learn when we will arrive in Norfolk tomorrow.  I suspect we will not be making our formerly scheduled 8:00 am arrival time. 

Sunset last evening as we headed South towards Nassau

Hopefully today will be less crazy work wise and we can savor our last day at sea before returning to the "real world."

2016 Caribbean Cruise - Days 3 and 4

Click image to enlarge

Amber Cove cruise ship port

Our cruise continues to be quite enjoyable, although yesterday while at sea we experienced 41 knot winds and today our trip into the rain forest in the Dominican Republic which had as its destination one of the beautiful pools at the Damajagua Waterfalls (pictured above) was truly an experience in the rain. Luckily, the rain did not get anyone's spirits down and before boarding the coach back to the ship we savored rum punch and beer. The guides were wonderful - and some of the guys VERY cute - and overall the experience was a positive one.

Last night for Halloween, many of the passengers went all out with costumes.  The husband and I were very plain in comparison as the photo below indicates.  It was good fun and I got to do some dancing as well.

As far as our ship goes, I give the Carnival Sunshine a positive review.  The cleanliness, crew courtesy and food quality has been great.  If I have one complaint, it is the line's failure to enforce any sort of a minimum dress code in the main dining rooms.  This even, eight passengers - likely from Gloucester, Virginia, from the looks and waist size of them - were seated at the table next to our table of five, all of whom were attired in sport coats (no ties) and nice slacks.  The men at the next table were less well dressed than I would be if I were running to Lowes on a Saturday morning to pick up mulch, lumber, or something else for a home project without "cleaning up" beforehand.  Oh, and did I mention the ball caps on their heads as that sat at the table.  All definitely had the look of Trump voters.     

Shortly before leaving the Dominican Republic

  

Vacation Preparation Madness

On Friday afternoon the husband and I and several friends are setting sail on the Carnival Sunshine (pictured above) on a cruise out of Norfolk to Nassau, the Dominican Republic and Grand Turk before returning to Norfolk eight days later.  As seems to be the norm when we travel, we are engaged in frenzied preparations, both at work and on the home front to be ready for what we hope will be a relaxing trip.  At work, as seems always to be the case, I am working to complete work and put out fires.  Naturally, I will have my laptop with me and be checking office e-mail regularly. 

At home, we had to find a new house sitter to stay at our home and babysit the two dogs.  Unlike in 2013, we will not be holding a political fundraiser at our home the day before we sail (we held an event for Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring in 2013).

As I have done in the past, I will be posting about our trip and my views on news events and all things gay. Posting frequency may well be reduced.