09-10 February 2019 - Bonaire and Grenada



09 February 2019 - Saturday
Kralendijk, Bonaire - 6:30 to 2:00 pm


When we awake we are docked in this capital city and largest port on the island of Bonaire in the Caribbean Netherlands.   The official language here is Papiamentu but Dutch and English are widely used.

Phil in Bonaire --

Off the coast of Kralendijk lies the island of "Klein Bonaire" noted for diving and snorkeling.

Right after breakfast I have my acupuncture consult appointment with the Dr. Durga.   I like him and think I will try one treatment and see how it goes.

Phil and I then walk into town.  The first thing we see is a very large Flamingo made from discarded materials -- it is quite stunning.  This town is full of colorful buildings and shops selling water sports paraphernalia since diving and snorkeling are the main reasons for coming here.  


Pat by the "Recycled Flamingo" - Bonaire

The water here is azure blue and crystal clear -- there is no question why diving is such a big industry on this island.  The heat does me in after about an hour --- Phil stays out longer.

Signs on Bonaire

At 1:30 pm -- Phil and I have a complimentary wine tasting courtesy of American Express.   I am not enamored with any of the selections and certainly am glad I'm not paying for this.  I believe it costs $75 per person.  

Dinner tonight with Sharon and John in the Terrace Cafe -- and then Sharon and I browse the shops trying to spend our shipboard credits.




10 February 2019 - Sunday
St. George's Grenada - 1:00pm to 10:00pm


Grenada, which gained its independence from Great Britain in 1974, is the largest of the islands in the Grenadines island chain in the Caribbean Sea.    We dock in St. George's, the capital of Grenada, located on a horseshoe-shaped harbor and surrounded by an old volcanic crater. 

Pat at The Carenage - St. George's Grenada

Spice production is a major industry here mainly due to the moderate tropical climate.  Spices grown here include: nutmeg followed by mace, cocoa, cloves, vanilla, cinnamon and ginger.

After breakfast Phil and I play Trivia  -- just to see how much we know -- not much.   Then to a lecture on Oceania's upcoming cruises for which they would love to have all of us sign up.

Phil heading back to the ship through the Sendall Tunnel - St. George's Grenada

As soon as we dock, we head out to explore this town that we visited last year.   Since today is Sunday -- not much is open except the tourist shops.   We walk through the Sendall Tunnel, built in 1894 through volcanic rock.  It is a narrow two-way tunnel that pedestrians also use connecting east and west St. Georges.    This takes us to The Carenage -- part of the pretty horseshoe shaped harbor full of fishing and pleasure boats.  

After a couple of hours, we've had enough and are back on board Riviera for a leisurely afternoon.

We dine tonight with Sharon and John in the Main Dining Room -- delightful.

Thanks for Reading.

Pat






Location: Grenada

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