When we had booked this trip the itinerary had said we would go to Tortola, British Virgin Islands. After embarking we were told though that we would not go there because recovery from the hurricane is not yet adequate for a visit there. Instead we will going to St. Thomas.
The "When & Where" informed us that we were arriving at 8 am and all aboard at 4:30 pm which means we are leaving at 5 pm. And, of course, we were right on time. The first picture was taken at 7:12 am.
The weather was not promising at all. Neither was the quay. We had no plans what to do. We had been told that we could take a taxi for $4 a person into the town.
Breakfast. It's not cold ... but wet. Our favorite casual spot to eat on Deck 11.
Back in the cabin after breakfast I turn the TV on to the info channel and almost right away it shows a picture of an Episcopal church and service is at 11 am. That decided it. Yes, service at 11 am.
Elevator down to Deck 3 to disembark.
The locals really know how to deal with tourists from the cruise ships. The taxi was more like a small bus but everything was easy and worked well. In town we just started walking.
A local man introduced himself as Angel and told us that he would take us on an outing with his trolley looking taxi for a view up the mountain and to the beach for a paddle at 12:30. We probably would have liked to do that but first we wanted to find the Episcopal Church. When we asked him about it he did not know. Finally when we said All Saints he seemed to get the idea. He told us that we should take a taxi though because it was in a bad area. He told us that they did have crime etc etc. James had heard about that anyway.
We did take a taxi and he took us to the Catholic church first. But then he found it.
We were there in plenty of time and were welcomed. All I can say is that it was a great experience and it was meant to be that I saw it on TV and it all worked out. It was a very uplifting service. The Sermon by the Bishop, The Rt. Rev. E. Ambrose Gumbs was very good. The church was full. The ushers were ushering. People were greeting us. My photos are not very good. The church was full and I was reluctant to take them afterwards. It was very strange though to be the (only) minority.
We left through a different door then we had entered and before leaving I went across the street to take this picture.
When I turned around at the fence to look at the house being renovated, this fellow watched me.
Here is something I found on the internet:
This is what James found on the internet. We are both sure that this is more likely where it was. The above is way to close to the SkyRide.
Even with the warning of Angel we were comfortable to walk down back to the major street. It was too late to do the 12:30 tour he had offered to us. We took a taxi back to the ship and I took this photo of our ship docked from the taxi window. The driver was not talkative but still nice.
We made our way to the ship but when we walked past this a daughter (I think) took a picture of her mother here and I offered to take a picture of them both. They were happy about it and then took a picture of us.
Close to the ship was a nice place to sit down and relax. Yes, we were happy. We didn't need to go to see any view or beach. The church service had made our day. How lucky.
Ha-ha, doesn't our ship look impressive?
Plenty of leisure time. We had to get our steps and made "rounds" on Deck 6.
As always we had watched the ship leaving. We had a pilot and it was interesting to see how he left our ship. I could not see him but stretching my arms out with the camera and I got his picture climbing down.
That alone would be quite an adventure for anybody with both (ship and boat) moving and the waves. It's all interesting though because our captain stirs/turns out ship a little so that there is protection from the wind and the waves get smaller on that side.
And, of course, it was Super Bowl Sunday! No show tonight but a huge screen. We just had a look to see how it was and then ended up in a bar with a smaller screen. It was a lot more fun there.
Back in the cabin: looks like a doggy with all those folds/pleads. Whatever it is ... cute!
Another nice day. And we are still "digesting" the Sunday church service. It was a blessing. Wished they had a website and put the sermon up so I could read it again. Or that I would have been able to take notes.
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