---------------- March 2007 ----------------
San Juan, Puerto Rico and Caribbean Cruise on Celebrity's Galaxy
March 2 - March 16, 2007
The Caribbean Sea is the world's fifth largest body of water. This map shows our twelve day route on Celebrity's Galaxy, beginning and ending in San Juan, PR. Only San Juan and Aruba were return visits for us.
The Caribbean Sea is the world's fifth largest body of water. This map shows our twelve day route on Celebrity's Galaxy, beginning and ending in San Juan, PR. Only San Juan and Aruba were return visits for us.
Index
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Oranjestad, Aruba
Willemstad, Curacao
St. George's, Grenada
Bridgetown, Barbados
Castries, St. Lucia
Roseau, Dominica
Basseterre, St. Kitts
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Return to TripsOranjestad, Aruba
Willemstad, Curacao
St. George's, Grenada
Bridgetown, Barbados
Castries, St. Lucia
Roseau, Dominica
Basseterre, St. Kitts
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
---------------- San Juan, Puerto Rico ----------------
After long flights from Seattle and Dallas we arrived in San Juan in the early evening. Later we enjoyed a light supper at the rooftop cafe of our hotel, The Milano, 307 Forteleza in Old San Juan.
In 1946, Felisa Rincon de Gautier, was the first woman to be elected as mayor of San Juan. This also made her the first woman elected as mayor of a capital city in the Americas. This museum houses all of her documents and is the site of conferences and seminars to promote the betterment of public administration.
On Sunday we did a walking tour through the historic parts of the city. We remembered most of the public art from our 1979 trip. This one is La Rogativa.
Some statues are whimsical..
We were happy to see that the El Convento, the hotel we stayed at in 1979, was still open. We went in to look around and had cocktails.
We had to stop and enjoy the impromptu street dance/party. Perhaps this is a Sunday afternoon tradition?
In 1946, Felisa Rincon de Gautier, was the first woman to be elected as mayor of San Juan. This also made her the first woman elected as mayor of a capital city in the Americas. This museum houses all of her documents and is the site of conferences and seminars to promote the betterment of public administration.
On Sunday we did a walking tour through the historic parts of the city. We remembered most of the public art from our 1979 trip. This one is La Rogativa.
Some statues are whimsical..
We were happy to see that the El Convento, the hotel we stayed at in 1979, was still open. We went in to look around and had cocktails.
We had to stop and enjoy the impromptu street dance/party. Perhaps this is a Sunday afternoon tradition?
The Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Saint John the Baptist, in the neoclassical style, dates back to 1521 and was originally constucted of wood.
On Monday, March 5th at 2PM, we boarded MV Galaxy. Before going to our cabin on the Panorama Deck we took this photo from the departure area. San Juan was bursting with blooms and we wanted a reminder of the color. Annie, our cabin attendant, stopped by to make sure that everything was in good order. We met our dinner partners, Pam and David from Concord, MA and Sue and Alex from Detroit, MI at 8PM, just as Victor, our waiter, and Alex his assistant, gave us a warm greeting. At 10PM we were on the deck for the traditional sail away party.
Tuesday was a sea day and we were on our way to Aruba. Sea days are often a welcome respite allowing for time to walk the decks, visit the library, read, catch up with a nap and learn your way around the ship. Morning activities might provide time for crafts, while concerts or lectures are sometimes offered in the afternoon.
---------------- Oranjestad, Aruba ----------------
The small city of Oranjestad, Aruba, is great for walking and since this was our second time here we decided to visit on our own. We did a little shopping and were back on the ship for lunch. The Galaxy is in the background.
---------------- Willemstad, Curacao ----------------
On Thursday we arrived early in Willemstad, Curacao and particpated in a walking tour of the city with our guide, Lucca. We visited the Maritime Museum and saw the floating market. By 2 PM we were back on board for lunch and a sail away party.
A floating pedestrian bridge that opens sideways, hinged at the other end.
The diesel engine in the blue box drives a propeller to open and close the bridge.
Examples of the local architecture.
A floating pedestrian bridge that opens sideways, hinged at the other end.
The diesel engine in the blue box drives a propeller to open and close the bridge.
Examples of the local architecture.
---------------- St. George's, Grenada ----------------
On Friday, in St.George's, we met the group for a kayaking trip in Clarkscourt Bay, paddled to Hog Island and walked on the beach where we were served refreshments.
Annamarie with our paddling guide.
Annamarie with our paddling guide.
---------------- Bridgetown, Barbados ----------------
On Sunday, we arrived in Bridgetown, Barbados, the easternmost island of the West Indies. Speightstown was once a major sugar port.
St. John Parish Anglican Church, in the Gothic style, is one of the oldest on the island.
A portion of the interior.
Tyrol Cot was the home of the first Prime Minister, and it is an example of Pallidian architecture with tropical features.
Heritage Village complex near Tyrol Cot, this shop is in the chattel style.
Another part of the Heritage Village complex.
One of the many lovely beaches on Barbados.
The Royal Clipper was in port today. She is the largest registered tall ship in the world.
A portion of the interior.
Tyrol Cot was the home of the first Prime Minister, and it is an example of Pallidian architecture with tropical features.
Heritage Village complex near Tyrol Cot, this shop is in the chattel style.
Another part of the Heritage Village complex.
One of the many lovely beaches on Barbados.
The Royal Clipper was in port today. She is the largest registered tall ship in the world.
---------------- Castries, St. Lucia ----------------
The island's major port, Castries, is a harbor within the flooded crater of an extinct volcano.
Hiking this trail gave us a chance to explore the lushness and beauty of the island.
Hiking this trail gave us a chance to explore the lushness and beauty of the island.
---------------- Roseau, Dominica ----------------
On Tuesday we arrived early and spent an entire day exploring Dominica. Often referred to as the nature island of the Caribbean, it is only 29 miles long and 13 miles wide. The tour we took gave us all of the highlights.
---------------- Basseterre, St. Kitts ----------------
Wednesday gave us time to relax on a train journey through St. Kitts. This island depends on tourism but agriculture accounts for much of the island's prosperity.
South East Peninsula
South East Peninsula
-------------- Tortola, British Virgin Islands --------------
Our final stop was Tortola and we walked into Road Town on our own. Popular with boaters it attracts people from all over the world.
----------------MV Galaxy, Celebrity Cruise Lines ----------------
Never a shortage of desserts 
..or entertainment
On Friday morning, March 16, we arrived back in San Juan and transferred to the airport for our American Airlines flight to Seattle. We were scheduled to be in New York only long enough to change planes, but to our surprise we landed in the middle of a snowstorm. All flights were cancelled until Sunday. We caught the last bus to Fairfield, CT and spent the weekend at the home of Joe & Lynne (Annamarie's brother and sister-in-law). The trip that was planned to miss hurricane season in the Caribbean instead gave us an unexpected spring snowstorm.
Index..or entertainment
On Friday morning, March 16, we arrived back in San Juan and transferred to the airport for our American Airlines flight to Seattle. We were scheduled to be in New York only long enough to change planes, but to our surprise we landed in the middle of a snowstorm. All flights were cancelled until Sunday. We caught the last bus to Fairfield, CT and spent the weekend at the home of Joe & Lynne (Annamarie's brother and sister-in-law). The trip that was planned to miss hurricane season in the Caribbean instead gave us an unexpected spring snowstorm.