Mama's Caribbean Odyssey Day 3
Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:46 am
Wednesday March 12 – Day 3 – Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Island, BWI
Mostly sunny, with scattered clouds, high of 91 F, 32 C, low of 70 F, 21 C
Our first port of call on this trip. Arose at about 7:00 (go figure, on holiday and bounding out of bed early), and headed up to Horizons for coffee, croissants and a view of the docking. Totally blown away at the skill of these mariners, bringing such large vessels gently into little docks and ports like this.
The sun was just coming up, and the island was kissed with shades of pink, orange and yellow. The water was a blue that you only see in the travel magazines, and the harbour was dotted with small colourful rowboats and catamarans. The pier was about 200 feet long, and at the end was a lovely shopping area, of course. Just to the left of this was one of those beaches, that appear to have been covered with white talcum powder. My jaw was hanging as I saw how very white and clean the beach was. It was dotted with lounge chairs and umbrellas. My feet were twitching with eagerness to dabble in the water.
Time for Breakfast. The morning breakfast area called the Terrace was an all you can eat buffet lovers dream. There were salads, fruit, breads, hot entrees, cold entrees, and an omelette station. Juices, coffee and tea were served at your table on the deck my the wait staff, who also would unroll and place a white linen napkin on your lap.
We headed into the shopping complex, and it was charming. They have you trapped, with the entry way being through the duty free store LOL. Many shops with lots of touristy items, and novelties. I was on a hunt for Big J, as he very kindly gave me a list of souvenirs that he would appreciate me getting for him. Not a high pressure sales area, very civilized and polite. Quite clean and well maintained.
We headed into town in a large van taxi, with 10 other people at a cost of $5.00 per person. The driver was wonderful, pointing out sites of interest and explaining the history of the Islands. When we arrived in town, we discovered we had joined a tour LOL. We got out, as we wanted to wander, and off they went on the rest of their trip.
The town was quite different from the pier. There is extreme poverty there, the streets are quite narrow and not kept up too well. There were some little shops, but most were very touristy. Much more bargaining and pressure. We did find the local Bank of Nova Scotia there, which is a major Canadian bank with a huge international arm, especially in the Caribbean. Dad was pleased, as he worked for them for 42 years in Canada.
A few purchases, and then back to the ship for some pool time and drink of the day, Tequila Sunrise. An hour in the sun, and up to Horizons for High Tea. The fresh scones with Devonshire cream and strawberry preserves was heavenly.
Dinner at 7:00 in the Polo Grill, a steak/rib house. Had crabcakes, French Onion Soup, and a slab of prime rib that was a big as the dinner plate. Dessert was a chocolate mousse cake and coffee. Several glasses of Pinot Griccio were imbibed as well.
Off to the Regatta lounge at 9:30 for the show. A magnificent performance by a guitarist named Vincenzo Martinelli. If you get the chance to see and hear him, it is a real treat. Then Mom and I took our $10.00 to the casino and played some penny slots. Had a Cafe Ole, and then bedtime about 11:30 this time.
About 9:00 pm, the room stewardess does a bed turndown. Pillows are plump and soft, and a lovely little chocolate is left on top of your sheets. Next stop, Samana, Dominican Republic.
Mostly sunny, with scattered clouds, high of 91 F, 32 C, low of 70 F, 21 C
Our first port of call on this trip. Arose at about 7:00 (go figure, on holiday and bounding out of bed early), and headed up to Horizons for coffee, croissants and a view of the docking. Totally blown away at the skill of these mariners, bringing such large vessels gently into little docks and ports like this.
The sun was just coming up, and the island was kissed with shades of pink, orange and yellow. The water was a blue that you only see in the travel magazines, and the harbour was dotted with small colourful rowboats and catamarans. The pier was about 200 feet long, and at the end was a lovely shopping area, of course. Just to the left of this was one of those beaches, that appear to have been covered with white talcum powder. My jaw was hanging as I saw how very white and clean the beach was. It was dotted with lounge chairs and umbrellas. My feet were twitching with eagerness to dabble in the water.
Time for Breakfast. The morning breakfast area called the Terrace was an all you can eat buffet lovers dream. There were salads, fruit, breads, hot entrees, cold entrees, and an omelette station. Juices, coffee and tea were served at your table on the deck my the wait staff, who also would unroll and place a white linen napkin on your lap.
We headed into the shopping complex, and it was charming. They have you trapped, with the entry way being through the duty free store LOL. Many shops with lots of touristy items, and novelties. I was on a hunt for Big J, as he very kindly gave me a list of souvenirs that he would appreciate me getting for him. Not a high pressure sales area, very civilized and polite. Quite clean and well maintained.
We headed into town in a large van taxi, with 10 other people at a cost of $5.00 per person. The driver was wonderful, pointing out sites of interest and explaining the history of the Islands. When we arrived in town, we discovered we had joined a tour LOL. We got out, as we wanted to wander, and off they went on the rest of their trip.
The town was quite different from the pier. There is extreme poverty there, the streets are quite narrow and not kept up too well. There were some little shops, but most were very touristy. Much more bargaining and pressure. We did find the local Bank of Nova Scotia there, which is a major Canadian bank with a huge international arm, especially in the Caribbean. Dad was pleased, as he worked for them for 42 years in Canada.
A few purchases, and then back to the ship for some pool time and drink of the day, Tequila Sunrise. An hour in the sun, and up to Horizons for High Tea. The fresh scones with Devonshire cream and strawberry preserves was heavenly.
Dinner at 7:00 in the Polo Grill, a steak/rib house. Had crabcakes, French Onion Soup, and a slab of prime rib that was a big as the dinner plate. Dessert was a chocolate mousse cake and coffee. Several glasses of Pinot Griccio were imbibed as well.
Off to the Regatta lounge at 9:30 for the show. A magnificent performance by a guitarist named Vincenzo Martinelli. If you get the chance to see and hear him, it is a real treat. Then Mom and I took our $10.00 to the casino and played some penny slots. Had a Cafe Ole, and then bedtime about 11:30 this time.
About 9:00 pm, the room stewardess does a bed turndown. Pillows are plump and soft, and a lovely little chocolate is left on top of your sheets. Next stop, Samana, Dominican Republic.