An Island Holiday --(part 3)---St. Kitts

I've finally fallen into the rhythm of the sea~
    Now that I have returned, it's like I never left. 
       The breeze that blows across the sand is the same 
          from so many years ago,
                from a hundred years ago, 
                       from before there were stones upon this place~

 Returning to the photo review of our wonderful Caribbean cruise over the holidays -- this time I am taking you to the beautiful island of St. Kitts.

The island of St. Kitts is an island steeped in history. Our last visit here was several years ago and we spent the day touring the Brimstone Fortress -- magnificent ruins located high on the hill with amazing coastal views.  But this time --- well, we opted for something a little different~

this-- is the "famous"

Lion Rock Beach Bar.

Our day here was absolutely amazing!!

(you are just going to have to trust me on this!!) 

located on the beautiful

Cockelshell Beach,

this place is so totally unique.

Being here is truly an "island" experience!

(and we felt like we had the place all to ourselves!)

~

(there were maybe 20 people from the ship on our end of the beach -- 

and way down the beach at the Reggie Beach Bar --

there were about 300!)  

 if you are looking for "fancy"--

this won't be it.

If you want a "true island experience"

that you will remember forever,

will dream about when your trip 

is but a memory--

this IS it.

Meet our "new best friend"

Lincoln Abraham--

he took great care of us when we spent 

the day on the beach~

a view of the beach looking south

towards Lion Rock Beach bar

just behind the beach is a dirt road

that leads around the tip of the island--

it made for a nice little walk 

in the early morning~

you have to admit --

it's got character!

we loved the colorful decor

and the total laid back atmosphere of this place~

this photo was taken from the tip of the island --

if you walk ALL the way to the absolute far end of the beach,

you will be at the "Reggae Beach" bar.  

(with 300 of your closest friends!)

But -- if you buy a drink there, 

you can take advantage of their free wifi --

(I'm always on the look out for the free wifi!)

~

when we were there-

 they were all rocking out to Reggae Christmas carols --

you have not lived until you have heard

"Silent Night" -- reggae style!

but on the other end of the beach--

it was so peaceful,

 just us and the waves.

~

~my very own "little piece of beach heaven"

for the day~

the view from "my" beach chair

it's not just the atmosphere

that makes this place so special~

it's the food and -- the drink!

Lion Rock Beach Bar 

is famous for it's grilled fish and ribs --

and the Rum Punch here is truly

the best ever!

if you're going to walk the beach --

you might need to do it before you drink the punch --

I'm just sayin'! 

~

it's truly out of this world delicious --

(but you need to drink it slow!)

(it WILL knock you on your butt!)

!!! 

 

this is Mr. Lion himself --

he's the owner and--

the cook!

 we've traveled all over the world --

and I've been blessed to eat some mighty fine meals -

but this ---

this is the best grilled fish I have ever had!

my husband had the grilled ribs 

and said they were

 "to die for"!

our day here was simply

wonderful.

Later, after we had returned to the ship--

we just couldn't stop talking about it!

and the next day,

and the day after that~

you know--

you can't judge a shack by it's

cover! 

just in case you want to go--

(which of course, 

now you do!)

 out parting view of the beach

as we headed back to

 our taxi~ 

some stuff you might want to know~

~all the photos were taken with my Iphone 5.  I had my "good" camera with me, but -- it's just so easy with the iPhone!

~ our taxi ride to the Lion Rock Beach bar cost us $58 US for just the two of us.  On the way back there were 2 other folks in the car with us.  We had made arrangements with our driver to return in the afternoon to pick us up -- and he was right there waiting when we were ready to leave.   The taxi ride was about 15 minutes each way.

We sailed on the Celebrity Eclipse for their 2 week cruise to the Southern Caribbean --- we visited a total of 9 ports, but I've shared with you our favorites this trip.
 If you missed my post on Bonaire-- you can find it here. 
 If you milled the post on St.Lucia -- you can find it here.  

~~~~~

 Some updates--

there are only a few more days if you wish to participate in my "Grow Your Blog" party-- the deadline to enter your blog is January 15.  You can find all the info on the sidebar of my blog.  

I'm working on my latest travel series -- "Traveling Gaspese". Three weeks spent traveling the Gaspe Penninsula in Quebec -- you just know there are lots of photos -- and -- they are amazing! We started in Quebec City -- and I hope to have that post up before the blog party later this month. If not -- then the it will go up shortly after that.  We will be traveling ALL winter  here on my blog, as this is definitely going to be series of several blog posts -- filled with info and scenery that will make your jaw drop!

And one more thing--

just in case you thought I wasn't doing anything -- (with the blog party, the Gaspese travel series, working full time, loving on our grand babies,...)  I'm also working on those nests!  (info on my sidebar if  you don't have a clue what that excitement is about!) If your name is on the list -- you will be hearing from me in the next several months. I will have them all completed by April or early May.  You are always welcome to email me at any time to see where you are on the list~

xoxo,

Vicki 

oh --- and I almost forgot --- a new post coming up sometime with the latest of my knitted hat and scarf designs --- (I'm so crazy busy right now its just stupid!!)  xoxo

 

An Island Holiday -- (part 2)-- St. Lucia

Continuing the photo review of our Caribbean "Island holiday"--

            this time we are traveling to the

                                beautiful island of St. Lucia~ 

                                           It's miserable, cold and rainy 

here today as I post these photos ---

 sure makes me wish we were back 

where the sun was shinning 

and the breezes were 

warm~

of all the Caribbean islands

that we have visited~

St. Lucia has one of the most

 picturesque harbor views.

sailing into St.Lucia

is truly beautiful --

it's one of those places

that makes you want to go

snap, snap, snap 

with your camera~

~we almost always have our island day activities

planned in advance,

but a necessary last minute change of plans

found us "seeking new adventures"...

hence...

our amazing day in

Pigeon Island National Park

~

we told our taxi driver-- "take us to a lovely beach,

someplace NOT crowded, someplace where all the other

cruise ship folks WON'T be" ~

Pigeon island is not really an "island"--

located at the tip of St. Lucia

it has the distinction of being unique in that

the rough and turbulent Atlantic ocean is on one side,

while the calm Caribbean ocean is on the other~

~

(click here for more info about 

Pigeon Island)

 

 There is a small entrance fee to the park--

(about $7 US)-- once you are inside you can walk

the grounds, visiting the incredible

ruins, walk along the beach,

snorkel, dive, and--

climb the hill to the fort

for the most amazing views ever!

 Just saying the word "ruins" 

makes my heart beat 

faster!

~

these ruins dating back to the 1700's

are definitely worth

are few hours of your time~

 there were some 

amazing "Kodak" moments

everywhere you looked~

we spent about 2 hours walking around the ruins

and along the coastal road that leads

to the tip of the "island"

lots of history here in this little

place~

just another"Kodak" moment!

sigh~

I was so happy to be here among

this amazing history and stunning scenery ---

sometimes, things just work out for the best.

Our last minute change of plans 

had brought us to a wonderful new place.

doesn't everyone take "silly selfies"?

~

that's the fort in the background --

come on,

we are going UP! 

it's a bit of a climb--

and I'm wearing a sarong and flip flops--

should be interesting!

we'll start our climb here~

the climb gets steeper and steeper

and then---

 yep---

we gotta climb that ladder.

in. my. flip flops.

it's an adventure -- right?

THIS-- is the view from the top!

worth the climb,

don't you think?

~and another beautiful view

just in case you want

to read a little history of

Fort Rodney~

we're smiling because

this has been THE most awesome day!

~

a little lesson in gravity--

"what goes up, must come down"

so, back down the ladder  I go--

in. my. flip flops. 

my reward for being such a good sport--

lunch!!

this quaint little restaurant

is at the very end of the beach

inside the National Park~

~

(just in case you are wondering--

I had the tomato lentil soup AND

the black cherry cream cake:)

and -- I earned every single bite

climbing up that ladder!

 the view from our table~

after lunch--

a little beach time~

the water was crystal clear, and calm and

so warm!

and of course~

the pina colada boat

(2 for $5 -- just in case you want one!)

we were in port from 8 am-5 pm--

plenty of time to walk around the ruins,

climb to the fort, have a nice little lunch,

and finish the day off at the beach~

~

now,--

we are back on the ship

enjoying a beautiful sunset sail away~

  a little glass of wine for the

beautiful sail away~

(don't laugh at our wine glasses--

its the best we could do!!)

my favorite sunset sail away picture~

and so ends our lovely, unplanned,

but totally wonderful,

day in St. Lucia

~~~~

Next up--the final post for the "Island holiday" series --- I'm taking you to beautiful St.Kitts. If you missed the first post in this series -- (Bonaire)-- you can find it here. 

Some updates~

The deadline has passed and all the donations have been given for the "Josephine's" children charity project. Once again -- you have totally given of yourselves and exceeded every estimation that I had for this project.  Here are YOUR totals --- $2011 in cash collected for these needy children.  Almost all of the donations were small amounts --less than $10.  That should give you an idea of how many wonderful generous folks donated to this amazing cause. Your Walmart gift card donations totaled just over $200.  Add that to the already amazing totals!

Your craft donations -- OMG --- they just kept coming and coming and coming!  Our plan was to fill one box -- now we are going to fill 3! My friend Sue is starting to make purchases for supplies and clothing for the children with your donated cash and Walmart gift cards.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you have done for these children --- sometime later this year, I will share photos of the children opening their gifts.  Josephine has promised to take photos the minute the gifts and supplies arrive in Uganda.    My heart is so full of gratitude for the generous way that you have responded to the needs of these little ones ---  bless you all for your kindness and generosity.

Love, love,love,

Vicki

PS-- 

 ~~ Don't forget ---- if you want to participate in the BIG party, the deadline to enter your blog is January 15. You can find all the info here.