Santa Marta, Columbia. Excursion: Tyrona Park Adventure.

After a nice scenic drive we reached Tayrona National Park which is situated in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range. 

We had a guided walk through forest to beach with boulders for a few photographs.  Unfortunately we couldn't swim there because of strong currents.  I was quite glad the walk was mainly through forest because it was a hot day.

Next we walked up to the cliff top for a view of the coastline and beach below.  The walk continued along the cliff edge, through the forest up to another viewpoint (hut style) with fantastic views of the coastline and the forest of the park inland. 

We made our way to a restaurant for lunch in the park where we had a nice buffet lunch – salads, chicken, fish and beef with plantain patties and rice. 

Afterwards we had time to have a swim at the nearby beach or relax.  I managed to squeeze in a dip and felt quite refreshed.  With 5 minutes to go before meeting back at the restaurant to get the bus back to the port - I dashed back into the water again to cool off and then got dressed in double quick time. 

It was good to eventually get back home to cool off properly in the cabin shower.

PHOTOGRAPHS

 

Anchored off Isla Catalina (24th December) & Christmas Day.

The Prinsendam arrived at Cap Cana yesterday but was unable to start the tendering process to the mainland. There was too much of a swell to put the tenders out.  The pilot boat, when it left the harbour to come to the ship, was bobbing around like a cork so it was a good indication of the sea surface. It would have been too dangerous to offload guests onto the tenders.  The pilot boat approach to the ship was abandoned and it was with regret that the captain decided to abandon anchoring and tendering. But safety comes first even though it may have upset some of the guests.

An alternative plan was made and approved by head office - that we sail south to a small island (Isla Catalina) where it would be more sheltered to drop anchor and tender guests to the shore for a beach break day. Any scheduled tours at Cap Cana were cancelled.

Passengers had the opportunity to go ashore on Isla Catalina and relax on the white sandy beaches or do a bit of snorkelling instead.

Paul sent me on a mission - to look to see if there was anyone offering scuba diving.  There was one tiny kiosk offering snorkelling gear but nobody was offering or advertising scuba diving even there were scuba diving boats in the area. Paul found, on the internet, a few companies offering scuba dives but they were only on Xmas eve morning, not in the afternoon.  The ship only arrived and dropped anchor around 11 am so we missed any dives on offer.

By the time I got back from the island, the captain had returned from the ship (after a brief stint ashore himself) so Paul and I got a tender to the island and spend just over an hour, swimming in the clear waters off the beach.  Fish were curious and nibbled at the skin of our legs and feet.  It was ticklish!  But it was delightful that they were not afraid at all.

After we left Isla Catalina yesterday afternoon and set sail towards Bridgetown, Barbados, festivities of Xmas eve began. There were small parties, music and much more. Paul and I had a massage - our backs have been very sore for a while now.  The masseurs were delighted to have their 'revenge' and Paul's back muscles were given a good pummelling.  The lass that did my back left me feeling bruised but having said that - this morning I woke up without any back pain!

Later on we were invited for drinks in the captain's cabin and then the staff went down stairs to the showroom to entertain the passengers with their carol service.  Apart from the international English version songs, the Indonesian and Filipino crew also got together and sang carols in their own language. I don't usually go to carol services but I went this time and was absolutely moved by the singing. I was touched to the bottom of my heart - more so because of the Indonesians and Filipinos efforts. They were wonderful.

After the carol service all of the singers met in one of the restaurant for nibbles and drinks. Some stayed on afterwards, others went off to midnight mass services offered on board. For me and Paul - it was time to hit the pillow.  He still had to get up for work today.  And it was near 2am (this morning) before we hit the pillow.

Christmas Day:  It's been a quiet day on board, for me, so far, keeping away from the celebrations. For other people - they have been attending organised activities, services and festivities; or relaxing.

Tomorrow is another day - hopefully this time at Bridgetown, Barbados.

Anchored/floating just off Half Moon Cay.

Someone is working on the lights in the gym...

Over the last two days the Maasdam has been sailing towards the Bahamas at a nice easy pace.  The weather has been good the sea made for a smooth passage.

Left to right:  Mike (doc), Ryan, Jenna (nurse), Dan (doc), Paul, me,
Linda (nurse) and Marizaan (nurse).
Thanks to Linda for the photograph.

I have been busy trying to get my blog up to date but sometimes it is hard - more so when I don't feel like writing 😐.  Paul and I have been endeavouring to spend at least half an hour to 45 minutes in the gym, either cycling and/or walking on the treadmill.  Sometimes we can't use the static bicycles because they are in use so we walk instead.  We have tried cycling after walking on the treadmill but generally our legs have felt like jelly.  We are putting the treadmills on an uphill 'walk' to try and get our calves exercised for when we go walking in Germany later this year.  Last year we were a bit out of puff and our legs complained so this year we are hoping that a bit of exercise will stand in good stead.

One evening we met up with staff from the infirmary for a meal.  It was a great evening and we enjoyed everyone's company.  Paul was called out briefly, as was one of the nurses, but it was the first time that everyone was able to sit down for almost the entire meal without being disturbed!

View from the Maasdam - Half Moon Cay/Little San Salvador

It was overcast at Half Moon Cay and I almost didn't get off the ship for a trundle, but in the end I'm glad I did get off for a bit.  The ship was floating in her spot by its engines rather than being by an anchor because of the direction of the wind, so Paul couldn't get off the ship.  He had to be on board in case anything went wrong (which is understandable), not that anything would go wrong!

BBQ time!

One of the bars

Half Moon Cay is also known as Little San Salvador Island.  It is a tiny island in the Bahamas that has a crescent-shaped beach.  It started off as a island but in 1997 Holland America Line bought Little San Salvador and built it up to become a private retreat for passengers on the line's Caribbean and Panama Canal sailings.  One can go horse riding, go kayaking, snorkelling, visit a lagoon enclosure which is home to stingrays; rent out a cabana for the day, and much more.  Or just sit and relax on the beach.  There are bars, a children's play area, a small medical centre (the ship's infirmary staff went ashore and took turns to be on duty) and 2 restaurants.  Staff from the ship's restaurants came ashore and set up a BBQ in the main 'restaurant', which was quite nice.  Bar staff also went ashore to tend to the bars.  There was a semi-skeleton staff that remained on board so that guests not going ashore would still have a normal service.  Other staff who weren't busy took a bit of time off, even if it meant taking it in turns to go ashore for 2 hours or so that their colleagues had a chance to work/relax.

Stingray wanting some attention from its human friend.

I had a nice walk around the island and ended up the stingray enclosure.  Someone was feeding the stingrays when I arrived so I watched.  Each stingray had its own personality.  One of them was minus a tail and looked like it has some cuts on it.  Perhaps it was a rescued stingray and may not survive without human intervention.  Some of the stingrays loved to come up to their human friend to be 'cuddled' or rubbed gently.  It
was wonderful.  A bit later on the chap who was feeding the stingrays asked me if I would like to meet one of the stingrays.  Oh yes!  I hitched up my skirt and went down some steps as far as the water level reached my knees and a stingray was gently brought to me.  It seemed to love the attention I gave it as I stroked its knobbly back and very soft underside.  My heart just about overflowed with joy to interact with such a lovely creature.  Eventually the stingray decided it had had enough and swam on.

Heading back to the ship

Having decided that I had had enough walking and sun (yes, even though it was cloudy), it was time for me to catch a tender back to the ship.  The ship's tenders aren't being used today.  There are island tenders which are a lot bigger and spacious than the ship's tenders, being able to ferry 200 or more people between the ship and the island.

Heading to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The stop at Half Mon Cay was relatively short because of the distance that we have to cover to get to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  Bigger ships have bigger engines and can go a lot faster but a small cruise ships has smaller engines = more time getting to a destination, even if running at full speed!

 PHOTOGRAPHS

View from the ship

 

Half Moon Cay

BBQ lunch

Ice cream stand

Seating area for lunch

These hens took the hint for a sit down meal but hopefully they didn't
end up on the BBQ...

This chick struggled to get a morsel of bread down its throat.

Stingrays being hand fed

This stingray didn't have a tail

 

Such trust between stingray and human

Another stingray wanting some attention.

 

Children's play area

Another restaurant

Leaving Half Moon Cay

The ship's acupuncturist (Bowen) took time off (right)

Back at the ship - a gangway is being put in place for us.  The security
officer (behind a desk) is ready to scan our key cards in as we enter.
(This keeps a tally of how many are on/off the ship)