Our Winter Escape - A cruise to "warm places"

"The sea is everything. It covers seven tenths of the terresterial globe. It's breathe is pure and healthy. It is an immense desert, where man is never lonely, for he feels life stirring on all sides."
~~Jules Verne, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea


We are just back from a wonderful almost 3 week break from the winter weather. It is hard to describe the way that we delighted in spending 2 weeks sailing the seas visiting "warm places" all over the Caribbean.

Our vacation actually began with a brief stop in sunny Florida where we stayed a few days with some friends. (we couldn't stay in our own place as it is rented for the winter~) While there, we were fortunate to be able to share an amazing experience with a few of our closest friends~~ (LOL!)

~~~ the last launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery

We feel so very lucky that the timing was perfect for us to be able to witness this incredible sight!

(photos compliments of my flicker friends)

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Our cruise left from Fort Lauderdale and our first stop (after two wonderful and relaxing days at sea) was the beautiful and colorful island of Antigua.

Some views of the lovely harbor and the brightly colored buildings~~

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our first morning in port

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I think these rusty old ships have so much character

see those beautiful church spires over in the distance?

we're going there in a minute~

here comes another ship into the harbor

"we were here first!"

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Our beautiful ship

the "Celebrity Constellation"

ahh - (we're the little one!)

The megaship Norweigean Epic

followed us around

the entire trip.

these folks followed us around also~

the "Disney Magic"

The day seemed to start out a little cloudy and rainy so we opted for a short taxi tour around the island before heading to the beach. First stop - this old church that I spotted from the deck of the cruise ship that morning. We could not go inside because of rennovations - (but they will be completed when we return next year) - (yes, we are going back again!)

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As we drove out of town and into the countryside - I spotted this old church. (yes - I am one of those people who LOVE old churches!) Our taxi driver said that this was the oldest church on the island and dates back to the early 1800's. I said - STOP the car!

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our next stop was at the historic

"Nelson's Dockyard"

the dockyard dates back to 1725

you can read the great history

of this famous landmark

HERE

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our great friends and travel companions

Bob and Jan

were along with us on this

fabulous 2 week cruise

(this guy makes me smile so big!)

My dear friend Jan

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the restoration of the dockyard

includes many beautiful waterfront restaurants

and some great shopping

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this shop makes sails for schooners

and sailboats

the dockyard bakery

yumm~~

(I lusted after that guava danish!)

the Gardener found the bakery

(no surprise there!)

he bought a yummy pineapple

turnover

how old do you think this tree is?

answer~

(really, really old!)

the National Park gift shop

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the courtyard of the

Copper and Lumber Hotel

love that cozy restaurant!

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these guys are "Trouble"!

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persons who enter the island

via the English Harbour

must pass through

this historic Customs Building

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the Dockyard has some

lovely gift shops

amazing craftmanship!

Wow! this boat was gorgeous!!

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We took so many photos of our wonderful trip~~

I will have to make several postings in order to share them all with you. This is the first part of our time spent on beautiful Antigua. Let's stop here for now because we need to give away that fabulous sea glass necklace~~

Here she is - Miss Maddy girl, outside on the very first day of spring. She is all set to pick some winners~~

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The winner of the sea glass necklace made by my friend Andria is~~

Sharon from the blog Wildflower House. Congrats Sharon - you will so love this beautiful necklace!

And the winner of the contest just for my much loved followers~~

A box of chocolates that I brought home from my favorite chocolate shop

on the island of St Martin~~

~~~ is Jan from the blog A Journey. Thank you Jan for being a devoted follower. I appreciate you so very much! You are going to LOVE these chocolates!

Coming up next - in my second post relating to Antigua - some breathtaking views of the island from the Shirley Heights hilltop area. These photos are truly amazing - one of the most beautiful views in all of the islands that we visited.

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I have been gone from my blog for what seems like forever. You know when you travel - there is SO much to do when you return to home!! Catching up takes forever - my pile of mail was about 2 feet high! I am all caught up now - totally unpacked - laundry all done - AND I am finishing up those Nests!! I have missed you all so very much~~ our trip was beyond wonderful - I can hardly wait to share it with you all~~but, there is no place like home~~

Vicki