Island In The Sun - Harry Belefonte

Why, I know not, but we arrived in Saint Kitts and Nevis at 13:00 only giving passengers a scant 5 hours ashore, lucky then I had arranged a Birding Pal to meet me on the jetty. Fortunately, or unfortunately meeting him will have to wait until tomorrow as today's post deals with the final furlong of the Atlantic and weaving between some of the Caribbean Islands.

 First on the scene as we neared the shore were c2 BROWN BOOBIES, both adults, after which all of the other 6 dozen or so were

 JUVENILE birds. here are a few shots of them for you to enjoy!

 
 

The only ship we saw in the open ocean of this final leg was the Oil Tanker NORDIC SPRITE, and that's when we started picking up

strings of Fishing Gear along with

 the odd Yacht.

 Then appeared the dormant volcanoes of SAINT KITTS

 coinciding with our first MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD.

 Much cargo work seemed to be going on up ahead, the Islands being more or less dependent on foreign trade.

 A few scenic shots as we approached the sister islands.

 Good views of BRIMSTONE HILL and its fortifications just before we rounded the final headland to see

 

 the Islands capital and Chief Sea Port BASSETERRE open before us.

The Frigatebirds were now flying low over the ship

 as the PILOT raced out to meet us in the

local POLICE BOAT.

 Approaching the jetty there were dozens of birds to be seen including

 ROYAL TERN

what appeared to be a single 'first winter' LAUGHING GULL

BROWN PELICAN

 a flock of SEMI-PALMATED PLOVER being continually 'flushed' by the berthing party

but obliging us as the ship steadied against the quay.

Yes, things are certainly getting interesting now!

Bridge of Sighs - Robin Trower

At 08:00 this morning I achieved one of my much sort after goals as the Voyager ‘crossed the line’ from Atlantic Ocean to Caribbean Sea, completing my first ever trans-Atlantic voyage. I now have my eyes firmly fixed on the next Marine ambition which will be over a month in the coming, so watch this space.

No change at all today as sea, sun and showers prevailed, while there was not a single bird to be seen at least the 'modelling' for the new Voyages of Discovery promotional brochure went ahead. There was some news from home as both Paul Harris and Martin Cade contacted me with news that the afore published Soft-plumaged Petrel identification was incorrect. Not doubting either of these 2 eminent gentlemen for one minute, I will study their findings and comments and make the appropriate amendments as and when time allows. But for the time being, the day was spent in part 'birding' (or maybe more accurately 'non-birding) and taking a closer look around the ship.

First on the scene was DENNIS CRUZ one of the ships Pursers

As BRIAN DAWSON and I discussed the prospects for the day.

Literally, we have seen more RAINBOWs than birds these 2 being the 8th and 9th.

Ever was it thus, so no surprise that we have an element of the Perpetual Moaning Brigade onboard despite all the staunch efforts of our catering and domestic staff. A word on this matter before continuing the story as the food here has been of the highest quality, prepared to ‘high end’ standards and presented by a staff of true professional who certainly know just what they are about. At the other end are our Cabin Stewards who keep our accommodation spotless and well supplied with all our needs, cleaners who simply never seem to stop working and bar and waiting staff who would be totally at home in any major hotel ashore.

Under the watchful eye of the Catering Manager these DECORATIVE SALT-BREADS are baked then ‘varnished’ as decoration for the food counter lay-outs. What price then when one Old Dutch summoned the Manager to complain that the bread was stale and impossible to eat. Not surprising thought he as he noted she had cut the tail off of the Crocodile!

The SCOTT LOUNGE

with the man himself along with his Oppo's watching over things.

An invitation to the BRIDGE was not to be missed, but with the added bonus of the personal guidance of CAPTAIN NEIL      

 MAIN CONTROL PANEL

 The view down to the FORECASTLE

 'Iron Mike' AUTOMATIC (and Manual) STEERAGE CONTROL

 RADIO ROOM

Peter the OFFICER of the WATCH at the time of our visit

Peter makes a small adjustment to our course and speed as the Duty Security Officer looks on.

FIRE and GAS ALARM PANELS

 

Captain Niel checks my Longitude by Chronometer before committing it to the plot (yeah that would be right). Finally this afternoon and just before dinner we were treated to a vocal extravaganza by the 

VOYAGER VOICES

a healthy group of passengers who, under the direction of Paul Lyon the ships Musical Director, have formed a choir of magnificent proportions. It was truly unbelievable - WELL DONE ONE and ALL!