Panama and Caribbean Cruise
January 10-24, 2025
January 10-24, 2025
This Viking cruise was beautiful, educational, enlightening, and just a lot of food, fun and entertainment. I traveled solo but met so many very nice and interesting people. Some of those people I'm sure we'll continue contact after this cruise. Our ship left the first evening. We then sailed days two and three to Montego Bay, Jamaica. During these days I tried to learn left, right, forward, aft, starboard, and port. I also tried out the restaurants, entertainment venues, stores, and met other solo travelers at a Solo Travelers Luncheon.
The birthplace of reggae, Jamaica still celebrates its most famous native son, Bob Marley. Jamaica’s plantation past is on display at the Rose Hall Great House, an elegant, late 18th-century Georgian mansion. The fascinating house chronicles life during a turbulent time in Jamaica’s history and tells the story of the “White Witch,” whose voodoo practices gave rise to the legend of the White Witch of Rose Hall. Its wealthy owner John Palmer and his wife hosted the island’s most gala parties here. In 1831, slaves ransacked the house during the Christmas Rebellion. It was left in decay until 1966, when preservationists brought back its luster. The house is also known for the 'white witch' that haunts the house. Stories told about her state that she killed three of her husbands!! The following pictures give you an idea of the size and stately presence of the plantation home.
The birthplace of reggae, Jamaica still celebrates its most famous native son, Bob Marley. Jamaica’s plantation past is on display at the Rose Hall Great House, an elegant, late 18th-century Georgian mansion. The fascinating house chronicles life during a turbulent time in Jamaica’s history and tells the story of the “White Witch,” whose voodoo practices gave rise to the legend of the White Witch of Rose Hall. Its wealthy owner John Palmer and his wife hosted the island’s most gala parties here. In 1831, slaves ransacked the house during the Christmas Rebellion. It was left in decay until 1966, when preservationists brought back its luster. The house is also known for the 'white witch' that haunts the house. Stories told about her state that she killed three of her husbands!! The following pictures give you an idea of the size and stately presence of the plantation home.
Later that same day I went to the Rockland's Bird Sanctuary. A bird lover’s dream and Jamaica’s best-known bird-watching site, Rocklands is home to hundreds of species of birds, including the iridescent swallow-tailed hummingbird—the nation’s national bird. We had the opportunity to have hummingbirds perch on our finger while hand-feeding them sugar water from a small bottle. Neat experience, but my pics were taken from my camera on my lap. Not the best representation.
When departing and returning on our busses, we heard and saw local musicians.
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Day Five was another day at sea destined for the Panama Canal. Day Six we arrived at the canal. Forty-eight miles long, the Panama Canal crosses the narrowest stretch of the Isthmus of Panama. Witnessing this engineering marvel at work is truly memorable. A partial crossing to the Gatun Lake transits through a series of three locks that lift and lower ships 85 feet from sea level, guided by electric locomotives known as mulas. (This function was originally run by the mule animals.) Far from the mechanics of the locks’ chambers, the canal is embraced by the lush beauty of the surrounding countryside. We had ship announcements along the route that explained how a Panama Pilot was required on board, and how the ropes, mules, etc. made this magical passage happen. We learned about its recent expansion project, one that has resulted in doubling the canal’s capacity and allowing supersized ships to pass through its waterways. We entered the canal and then waited in Gatun Lake for our return back to the Gulf.
Day Seven we arrived in Colon, Panama. I toured the Fort San Lorenzo. We saw the ruins of Fort San Lorenzo, a 16th-century Spanish citadel that sits at the mouth of the Chagres River, overlooking the Caribbean Sea and surrounded by 30,000 acres of protected rainforest. The following pics are of this fort and the surroundings.
Day Eight we arrived in Puerto Limon in Costa Rica. In 1502, Christopher Columbus landed on the nearby island of Isla Uvita. Puerto Limón boasts a diversity of its own. Italian, Jamaican and Chinese residents descended from immigrants who came here to lay the railroad to San José in the late 19th century. We took a scenic drive, cruised the waterways of the Tortuguero Canals and enjoyed a train ride in the countryside. The canals support a diverse array of wildlife, including sloths, river turtles and caimans, making it one of Costa Rica’s most rewarding nature experiences. This excursion was full of wonders. Our local tour guide had a vast education about the area. I thought it was a little wierd that we'd stop the bus on a narrow two lane highway and unload the whole bus to take pictures of wildlife.
Day Nine was a day at sea headed for Roatan, Honduras. (This was a pedicure day for me. Quite therapeutic.) Day 10 we arrived in Roatan. This was a beach day for me. This day of relaxation included a trip to the picture-postcard setting of Tabyana Beach. Known for its breathtaking sunsets and incredible diving, this intimate island paradise is located about 40 miles north of mainland Honduras and surrounded by the world’s second largest coral reef. I relaxed on the white-sand shores under a canopy of coconut trees as I listened to the live Caribbean music playing softly. Lunch was included on this excursion.
Day Eleven we arrived in Belize City, Belize. Inhabited by the Maya for more than 5,000 years, Belize is home to more than a dozen remarkable ruins. I'd planned for an excursion to a 130 foot pyramid. However, I missed the fine print on the departure instructions, so I missed this trip. Folks I talked with later said it was an hour drive out and back and about forty-five minutes touring. All during the one rainy day of this trip. Turned out to be a perfect day for laundry and reading.
Day Twelve was in Cozumel, Mexico. We docked next to a massive cruise ship. We are the little one in the pic below. I was on the excursion called 'Tacos, Cervezas & Mezcal'. It involved a lot of drinking and eating. Lots of esophagus and stomach burning, but I felt like I was joining the local vibe. (Except for the gagging and coughing!) Lots of laughing at the gringos!
Day Twelve was in Cozumel, Mexico. We docked next to a massive cruise ship. We are the little one in the pic below. I was on the excursion called 'Tacos, Cervezas & Mezcal'. It involved a lot of drinking and eating. Lots of esophagus and stomach burning, but I felt like I was joining the local vibe. (Except for the gagging and coughing!) Lots of laughing at the gringos!
Days Thirteen and Fourteen were at sea heading back to Ft. Lauderdale. I took full advantage of the spa. I had a Swedish massage, a wonderful facial treatment and had my hair done in the beauty shop.
This was a great and unforgettable trip. It's one that Gary and I had on our bucket list. I met many wonderful and friendly people. I plan to keep in touch with the couple from Leawood that I traveled from K.C. with. Another couple I will keep up with are from Marshall, Missouri. I approached them to see if they were from Columbia. (He had a Missouri shirt on.) "No, we're from Marshall, Mo." I told them I had good friends from Slater, a city nearby. They knew my friends for the last fifty years. I had them beat. I've known these friends in common for sixty years. Small world. They included me with their planned events through the tour. I also met a bunch of ladies traveling together. We got a little rowdy at dinner and tried to pick up the handsome young waiters. Oh well! All in good fun.
Following are the pics of the twelve inches of snow I left in K.C. Also, some of the pics of the ship, the bridge tour, the galley tour and some rough seas as seen at the ships pool.
This was a great and unforgettable trip. It's one that Gary and I had on our bucket list. I met many wonderful and friendly people. I plan to keep in touch with the couple from Leawood that I traveled from K.C. with. Another couple I will keep up with are from Marshall, Missouri. I approached them to see if they were from Columbia. (He had a Missouri shirt on.) "No, we're from Marshall, Mo." I told them I had good friends from Slater, a city nearby. They knew my friends for the last fifty years. I had them beat. I've known these friends in common for sixty years. Small world. They included me with their planned events through the tour. I also met a bunch of ladies traveling together. We got a little rowdy at dinner and tried to pick up the handsome young waiters. Oh well! All in good fun.
Following are the pics of the twelve inches of snow I left in K.C. Also, some of the pics of the ship, the bridge tour, the galley tour and some rough seas as seen at the ships pool.
We did have some excitement on the last day at sea. There was a staff member that had to be airlifted to Ft. Lauderdale. I took these videos from my balcony.
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I did get up early one day to catch the sunrise from my balcony.
