Saint Kitts

​St. Kitts

 

   The next morning about 8:00 A.M. we docked in St. Kitts, a small island of about 68 square miles and 47,000 people . Our captain parked near two other larger cruise ships. As we disembarked, the captain of Royal Caribbean’s largest cruise ship squeezed in between us and the other ship. I believe I overheard someone call it, Navigator of the Sea; that it holds passengers and crew of over 7,000. This made 4 cruise ships in port. That means we increased St. Kitts’ population by more than 20,000 tourists!  Amazing the local facilities can handle this number!  

   Once again we bought a ticket for an island tour. Once again we drew a fearless driver who made good time on these narrow windy roads. At least he stopped on occasion to let us get out and snap photos and walk a bit.  He was a big man who’s broken English was a rich Jamaican type accent. He pointed out various landmarks,buildings and facilities along the way. There seems to be a lot of two-year universities here where one can study things like medicine and veterinarian training. But to be more proficient, and earn a bona fide degree, they must leave the island and go to another country to finish their studies and graduate.  

   St. Kitts apparently has a problem with the monkey population. Although we never seen one crossing the road or sitting in trees in the wild, or attacking anyone, we did see some babies in captivity at a small, off-road tourist trap. They were very cute. It would cost five dollars to sit on your shoulder for a photo. . I never realized the deal until it was too late. I just hope Toronto doesn’t see the photograph.

   About 2/3 the way around the island we pulled off to visit another tourist trap and check out black lava rocks in the surf. We were about halfway to the overlook when a torrential downpour came in with a blast of wind. We ducked under shelter until it passed. Reminded me a lot of being in the Philippines in the mid 1960s.  Both islands, St. Thomas and St Kitts, have one high mountain that was once a volcano. They are tall enough to condense moisture and get a lot of rainfall.   

   Next we stopped at another overlook to see a short mountain range with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Caribbean Ocean on its right. At another place, we snapped a photo of the Atlantic touching the Caribbean separated by a line of white water. Quite interesting! 

   From this point we were driven directly into downtown. Our driver was bent on getting us back as quickly as possible. It was like when you are horseback riding and the horse smells the barn!  Katie bar the door! He dropped us off near the ship in an area full of souvenir shops after souvenir shops, all swarming with hundreds of tourists, from four huge cruise ships!   As we approached, the Princess, we notice people were still leaving the gigantic Royal Caribbean. 

   St. Kits would be our final stop before heading back to Fort Lauderdale. It was about 5 o’clock when we set sail. It will take two days to get back to Florida.  We are scheduled to dock about 6:00 A.M. Sunday morning. This would mark the end of our first week of cruising the Caribbean. This week we cruised the eastern Caribbean and beginning Sunday afternoon we enter the western Caribbean. Looking forward to seeing Jamaica! Y’ah,, mon!