November 15, 2024

Super sunny Grenada!

Above is the view from my balcony today. Downtown St George's was just outside the port. We were the only ship in town today, so we had an easy walk from the ship to the terminal to the the downtown. The sun was scorching so I waited till after lunch, to go for a stroll around the downtown. Grenada is a volcanic island and you are greeted by the rising hills as soon as you step out of the port.

As soon as I walked into the terminal building I saw the Christmas decorations and heard the carols playing. It is so odd, when it is so warm here! I also have no perspective on month and season. Just feels like a really long summer vacation has been going on! I walked up some of the hills of St George's to get the view from the top. Schools were letting out, so the streets were busy with everyone walking home. I love the motto " No Success without Effort" ! Oh so true! I wandered into a few shops had some conversations with locals, bought a pool noodle to use on the ship and tried Soursop fruit for first time - was good - tasted like watermelon even though it is small and white flesh, with a pit inside each section, inside green spiny exterior.

TAREMPA, INDONESIA - EMBRACING LIFE!

By Pat Patrick • June 26, 2026
I am generally a cautious traveler. I don't want an accident or fall to take me out of this adventure, I am enjoying so much! On the Island of Siantan , motorbikes are primarily the mode of transport, it is rare to see a car or truck. All ages, males and females motor around the roads at such a civilized pace, I decided if ever a place was safe to try, it was here! My buddy Terri agreed and we decided to start simple and hire rides for each of us, to go up the hilltop, to a restaurant called Bayview . We saw others get drivers at end of dock and we found a local merchant who spoke english, and she went across the street to a group of men playing dominoes and found 2 who agreed to drive us, after they finished their game. The merchant helped us explain where we wanted to go and we agreed on 50,000 IDR each for the rides, or $2.78 USD !

PENYALI RESORT, ANAMBAS ISLANDS, INDONESIA

By Pat Patrick • June 25, 2026
Today was just pure relaxation! We arranged with Tourism lady from yesterday, to have Penyali Resort send a boat to Tarempa port to pick 10 of us up and take us to the Resort, for the day. The speed boat ride took about an hour. Some of us just floated about with cocktails, others snorkled but all had a great time. They prepared a yummy lunch for us, with a fresh grouper fish, we literally picked up, on our way there.

SIANTAN ISLAND BOAT TOUR of COAST

By Pat Patrick • June 24, 2026
Today we arranged to see Siantan Island by hiring a local Captain & boat owner to take us, along with 2 lovely young ladies, we met at the Tourism office, who spoke great English. The ladies found the Captain and we negotiated a price of 1,200,000 IDR or $67 USD to take four of us out and about, for 2 hours. Since the forestry on the island and the soil is gigantic hard boulders, almost all the villages are on the water on stilts or the edge of the coast. Excavation cost would be a huge premium and best done with equipment, they don't possess.