The sail into Grenada was quite calm as we entered the more protected and shallow waters of the coast line. We watched from our balcony as the mountains seemed to rise from the sea and colorful rooftops of red tile could be seen. We went up to breakfast and then out onto the deck to watch the docking. The pastel hued homes and businesses were much as I remembered them from my last visit in 1983! Bud and I were here the day before the Reagan troops landed! At that time everywhere were soldiers with their rifles at the ready. When we landed at our next stop we had heard the news.
Today all is calm and the yellow, green, and red flag with a nutmeg on it flies everywhere. The nutmeg represents the very reason this is called the Spice Island. The climate here is perfect. When we arrived it was 82 degrees with a light breeze and partly cloudy skies. Perfect!
Next to us is docked the MSC Fantasia which really looks huge compared to ours although it is only about a 2000 passenger ship. Their journey I later found out began in Martinique and was mostly German passengers.
At the Sea Sun Adventure office we were greeted by Leslieann who was warm and welcoming. We quickly filled out the waiver, used the spotless restroom, and shed our shoes. She explained all the hand signals that we would need and Roahan helped us board our motorized rubber dingys for two. The captain was Randy who also seemed helpful and very friendly. Elva was our personal Captain. She is experienced with both boats and snorkeling.
If you will keep in mind the rough sailing we have had thus far you will understand that once we left the Port Louis harbor the trip became iffy! Elva was happy to pick up speed when we had been putt-putting through the calm and scenic waters. But once we did we ran into two problems. Our steering wheel was quite stiff and difficult to turn. Although I am the one who, just that morning by email, scheduled another shoulder replacement, Elva also has shoulder problems. Secondly, when we went full throttle like the boats we were following, neither of us could see over the front to know if the other boat was directly ahead! Hard to be in the caravan when you don't know where it went!!
As Captain Randy led the way, in his speed boat, along the coastline in and out of coves. Roahan was the follow and luckily he realized we soon were struggling to keep up. He fell in line in front of us to follow in his wake which theoretically would make our ride much smoother. Soon we veered away from the coast to take a shortcut straight across the open water. Rising up and slamming down on the water time after time after time!
After passing the last 'point' of the island we turned into the caldera and realized the others actually ended up behind us but quickly were approaching. Roahan had to be there for anyone to get in the water as the two men were the safety team. The boats tied together onto the speed boat. As the others were donning their fins and masks to snorkel above the Underwater Sculpture Park, Elva and I decided that we would not swim.
We were anchored beside high, striated cliffs of imposing stone. We thought the swimming would be right there and I remember snorkeling in Molokini. I was waiting for shoulder surgery then also. Christine had to take me by the hand and lead me to prevent the one armed circles I was making from slamming me into the rocks then. She was not here! Randy offered for us to sit in the shade of the motor boat's canopy and drink ice cold water. We took him up on it and after a slip and slide attempt or three we moved from our tiny rubber bouncy ball boat to the relative comfort of a real boat.
Everyone else rolled into the water and the guides took safety rings and they swam out, and a way from the rocks. It didn't seem too long before they all returned. The storm had stirred up the ocean so that the clear water of the Caribbean Sea was too murky to see the 15 to 30 feet needed to enjoy the art. Once I heard how deep it all was I would not have been able to see it on a good day as I would not have been wearing my glasses anyway!
After everyone struggled back into their dinghy, removed the fins and goggles and thirstily drank their bottle of water we set off again. This time Roahan leading the way while Randy, Elva, and I took a leisurely, scenic, stress-free ride back to port. I wish I had brought a camera by this time as it would have been safe after all. We had a beautiful view of our ship from the sea. Its small size may be some of the reason the ride seems tough.
Back in port Elva and I thanked Randy just as the others began to arrive. A fellow passenger, Joe, had been smart enough to bring some tip money with him. It never had crossed our minds as we were being so cautious about want not to have water damaged. He generously lent us a $20 which we were glad to give the guys for the extra attention. Later, back on the ship, I returned the money to Joe with a thank you for not having us further embarrassed by not having a tip after all the extra trouble we were.
Dried off and our shoes back on we traipsed through the shack and headed to the bus. I said to Elva that is was probably a good thing they had not given us Rum Punch! Roahan quickly turned around and said "Rum punch? Sure, follow me!" Back at the shack he reached into the fridge and pulled out a large, icy bottle of curiously strong pinkish poison! I know the label had the word 'Iron' on it and we all agreed that the drink was more rum than punch!
Returning to the ship we each took a quick shower and I went to have a lunch snack. I was surprised that the buffet was closed. As I walked out I saw our friend Judy who asked if we weren't supposed to be on our island tour. I said no we had another hour. We compared phone times and I quickly realized mine had lost the manual setting. I had changed Elva's and my phone the night before for the time change - one hour forward. I didn't realize that when I wasn't taking it with me this morning and I had turned it off, it reset to the default automated time setting.
I rushed to the cabin, grabbed Elva and we ran for the bus which had left a few minutes before. I tried to convince them, to no avail, that since they had called our bus back in the morning they could do so now with this bus. But I understood that it was my mistake and that to call a bus back would mess up the carefully planned tour route in order for them to return in time for the sailing at 5:30. What we had not realized, but may have contributed to, the fact that instead of the sailing adventure of the morning being 2 1/2 hours it was closer to 4 hours long!
Kicking myself for not being more careful, but kind of glad not to be on a bus to tour an island we had each been to before, we made our way to search for a snack. We took a bowl of fresh fruit salad from the Pool Grill and before too long tea service had begun and a delicious scone saved our day.
Elva and I decided not to change for dinner. Dressing up is not expected in the Restaurant but I would not go in shorts. We didn't really want to take the time for fancy service as we had our evening planned. After Tea Time we enjoyed some music trivia in the Atrium. Our very young and talented CD, Drew, played the baby grand and sang leaving out the title words. We needed the title and singer. Didn't do too badly for me. I started to leave a couple times and was glad I stayed. Scored 20 out of 30 points! Karen would be proud of me.
We enjoyed a last look at one of the yacht harbors of Granada and hoped for a green flash
as the sun set beyond the railing of our veranda.
Elva's brother had saved us seats way down front for the 6:45 show in the Star Theater. What a GREAT performance. It was Songscape -An Operatic Fantasy. The small cast of entertainers, singers and dancers, that are aboard seem very talented. The show began with Pagliacci and spent the 45 minutes weaving a love story through several genres of music, by way of Gilbert and Sullivan, the Beatles, Porgy and Bess among others. It ended with Bohemian Rhapsody! Well, not exactly ending there. The CGI screen backdrop changed to fit the story and ended where it began. Since the story was a dream fantasy, toward the beginning a real bottle of champagne was opened and the CGI cork hit the head of the young man. At the end, when we returned to the the opening scene of the elegant mansion drawing room. Then the fat lady sang and danced! Everyone stood and cheered. It is too bad so many passengers were worn out apparently from their first day ashore and missed the performance.
CGI Backdrop for the first and last scene
Each song had a great back drop.
Couldn't get a good shot of the Modern Major General bobbing ships!
After saying good night Elva and I went to the pool deck with our Diet Cokes and watched a terrific Movie Under the Stars.
I didn't see it at home as I thought it would be sort of hokie and more of a kids show. It was so good that for some people, I am sure, it will hold a place in their hearts as did Lassie, or Ol' Yeller, or the Yearling. The mesh lounge chairs on the pool deck have an adjustable back and a leg rest that pulls out if you wish. We added a couple of pillows and donned our provided BOSE headsets already tuned to the right channel. That was so very nice as you controlled your own volume. It would also be good if you weren't interested in the movie you could have sat out and enjoyed the night without being bothered. A young lady brought around neat little packages of freshly popped corn and Elva and I each laughed, and cried, laughed and cried our way through the two hour movie. I highly recommend it. By it I mean a Dog's Purpose and I also mean Viking Ocean!
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