A Tale of Four Caribbean Islands

After our successful visit to Manchester we had a few days at home (enough to pack a couple of cases!) and then it was to Birmingham airport we went for a flight to the Caribbean.

At the port of Bridgetown, Barbados we boarded the MV “Azura” for a two week cruise visiting four islands and then a return to England. We voyaged out to the Caribbean on “Azura” in November and now we were to join her again for her return trip after the Caribbean season.

The port was rather full for the two days we were to spend in Bridgetown. In addition to “Azura” there was also, from left to right, the “Royal Clipper”, the “Seaborne Odyssey” (very up market!), a charming older vessel “Freewinds” and a sleek new 4 masted motor yacht.

Our little ‘corner’ was a bit tight, with “Royal Clipper”’s  bow quite close to “Azura’s.

On our full day in Barbados we went to the “Boatyard” in Bridgetown where, for a $20 entrance we had full use of the facilities, complimentary drink and an opportunity to swim with wild turtles! We also met up with a couple of the ship’s crew – Alison and Glenn, in who’s company we spent a lovely couple of hours.

The Caribbean beaches are pretty much ‘second to none’. The fine, gleaming white sand and the azure blue, perfectly clear waters are wonderful ………

…… even if the water isn’t quite as warm as in India. Lol!

We took up the chance of the trip out to swim with the turtles. It was a very short journey to where they were ……..

…….. and, due to having no waterproof camera, we have no pictures of these wonderful creatures. This is, however, a pic of Doug swimming with them!

This is Doug’s “Jaques Cousteau” impression – and you can see by his face what a fabulous experience it was to see so many beautiful turtles in 30 feet of crystal clear water.

Leaving Barbados late on Saturday evening we arrived the next morning in St Lucia. The island was discovered by Columbus on St Lucy’s Day (Dec 13th) 1502 and is the only country (island) to be named after a female. Castries is the island’s capital which, apart from a few older and somewhat dilapidated buildings providing some interest, it’s pretty underwhelming.

Being a Sunday the town was “closed” and very quiet but some residents were more than happy to have their picture taken!

Castries was definitely closed!

The small central park gives a bit of relief from the general concrete feel of the place.

Not feeling very energetic anyway we decided to join a few passengers and crew in the karaoke bar in the port. Not generally our ‘scene’ but the talent was surprisingly good!

The next day we were due to arrive at the lovely island of St Kitts and new territory for us.

Visiting “Up North”.

After returning from India we had a week and a bit at home (doing “home things”) and then we were off again – but staying on English soil this time!

We headed to Tring firstly, to join Jaq Biggs (nb “Valerie”), with many friends and family, to celebrate the life of Les who sadly passed away while we were in India.

The few hours we all spent together was very moving and full of both joy and sorrow at the loss of such a lovely man. The message we all got from Jaq (and Les) was to “laugh and make the most of life”. It’s very sound advice.

We moved on from Tring and popped in to check on “Chance”. After three months there was minimal deterioration (James needs to get a bucket of soapy water and all should be ‘ship shape’ again!). Even after all the cold weather over the last three months the fuel tank was still half full and the engine started first time!

We moved onto spend the night with our close friends Pete and Rose near Stratford on Avon. We enjoyed a lovely meal with them (and much catch-up chat) at a nearby hostelry. Thanks to you both – it was lovely to see you again.

The next day we arrived in Stockton Heath, near Warrington, to stay with dear friends Neil and Pauline (nb “Water Lily”). The spring weather was too good to miss so we headed out the short distance to the village of Walton for a walk and mooch around.

“Pauline’s Boys” !!

We’ve passed this way on the Bridgwater Canal many times but never stopped at pretty little Walton.

There was nothing moving on the canal sadly – it would have been lovely to see just one boat pass.

Our walk took us past the Walton Arms (to be visited later!) …..

…… and on towards the church.

There was so much to see in India but there were certainly no spring flowers! “Oh to be in England now that spring is there” definitely sprung to mind.

Our walk took us into the grounds of Walton Hall ……

….. where spring had most certainly sprung.

Then back out into the village, past the vast carpet of purple crocus …….

… and into the pub for a well earned drink!

We had two wonderful, fun filled evenings with Pauline and Neil ……

……. and, with two “glitter ball devotees” out of the four of us, the time we had with them was a great laugh!

The next morning after saying farewell to Neil and Pauline we popped up to the cemetery on the hill overlooking Stockton Heath and Warrington to say ‘hello’ to another recently passed friend, before driving the short distance to Manchester.

We spent five days in the city – time passes very quickly when you’re enjoying yourself! With many friends in and around the city it’s seems as though it’s fast becoming our second home. We notice that new gates are being fitted to the top lock of the “Rochdale Nine”. 

The drained portion of the canal down from the lock was showing a shocking amount of debris and rubbish!

There are quite a few favourite haunts of ours around the city. One of the most unusual is “Via” in Canal Street. Originally a warehouse or factory, its been going as pub for many years now and the inside has been fitted out using woodwork and furniture from disused churches. It’s a fascinating place with lots of nooks and crannies, staircases and walkways to explore. It’s worth a look sometime!

Well, Manchester came up with the goods once again and we thoroughly enjoyed our short stay. In a few days time we shall be leaving Britain’s shores and back on the high seas!

The Birthday Party and Goa, Going, Gone!

After our day on the “Island trip” the evening saw us next door to our apartment at Mikey’s Place for Doug’s Birthday Bash.

One of the first to arrive was Ranju, who cycled from Calangute with a beautiful arrangement of Orchids for Doug. Ranju has looked after us at Xavier’s beach shack when we’ve gone to Baga for the day.

Other early arrivals were Roshan and Sergio (front right) who brought Doug the lovely chocolate cake shown in the last pic. Front left is Pundalik (also known as “RV” to those who can’t remember or pronounce his name!) who looked after us in James’ Shack on Candolim beach.

Four of our market trader friends arrived – Manoj, Vikas, Jitesh and Akash (who’s out of pic, bottom right)

Sadly, Sergio and Roshan had to leave ‘early’ as they had work commitments.

We spent some good times with Bev, Linzi and Wayne, who were on holiday for two weeks (especially on the Jungle Experience!) and they also came along and joined in the celebrations.

There was to be a second birthday cake during the evening – this one had its own firework display!

Doug with Manju and Mohan who both work in Mikey’s Place and who have become good friends and a big part of our lives while we’ve been in Candolim.

Here’s most of the party bunch (minus Roshan and Sergio). That’s cake on Doug’s face not a mark on the pic! It’s traditional in Goa to put some cake on the birthday boy’s face and to feed him a small piece before the cake is offered to others.

Everybody had the chance to order food from the menu and the market boys, to our delight, tucked into a good helping of noodles, rice and a few other very hot dishes!

This is Akash, who was out of the picture previously, with Ranju and Doug.

Ranju, Doug and Manoj.

Cris was very kindly supplying a free phone software correction and improvement service to all the market boys. Getting used to their smart phones occasionally threw up a few problems for them.

Bobby (another of Mikey’s staff and good friend), Cris and Doug.

Doug, Manju and Cris. It was a great end to Doug’s birthday – being surrounded by some very new friends. It’s a continually humbling experience to be so freely and openly accepted into a community of people, with very different lives to our own, and to be treated with such unconditional love and respect. We have to say that, as our three month stay in India was coming to an end, our own values have been somewhat challenged (and changed) by the tremendous respect we’ve been shown by so many people in this huge and crazy country. 

With our stay in Goa almost at an end we changed our scheduled overnight train journey to Mumbai to allow us to stay one more day and enjoy the carnival in Panjim. Like carnivals the world over, the spectacle was colourful and noisy! (Indians can do noise very well!) Here’s a few pics which need little commentary other than to say that an awful lot of hard work went into the event.



Someone in his full breeding plumage!







The last day of our stay finally arrived! The ‘market boys’ – Manoj, Vitesh, Jitesh and Akash came to say a final farewell. They came at just the right moment to clear us out of all the things we’d bought and couldn’t take home – household effects as well as food!

Manoj found a hat which James had bought for an event later in the year in England and found it suited him very well. Manoj’s life is very hard but he is never without a smile and is always up for a bit of a lark around!

We popped into Mikey’s Place to say our goodbyes to everyone. That, most certainly, included “Nuffy” and “Yen” who have been very much part of our lives. They used to follow us back home each evening (if we'd been to Mikey’s) and were even at our door to collect us on one occasion!

Manju, Doug and Bobby – the final ‘au revoir’.

James, Manju and Bobby.

Down at the barbers shop it was the same sad moment to be had. Smiles masking sadness as we said cheerio to Talib, Asraf and Hashim. We will miss then all very much indeed!

And, after an eleven hour overnight train journey from Goa to Mumbai, we arrived at the sensational airport terminal building to await our flight back to the UK.
The events of our last three months have been well documented. The things we’ve experienced have been tremendous but the one thing which sits head and shoulders above the marvelous spectacle of India are the people. That’s probably the same the world over but this nation of nearly one and a half billion people has, for us, a crazy and strange approach to life that just seems to work. With so many people in a country you just have to push and shove and beep your car horn! But there seems to be no malice. With many people on, or near, the breadline recycling of everything is common place. Honesty is paramount and it would be unthinkable to steal or take something which is not yours. Indian people are happy with “their lot” and get on with life as best they can it seems. They are clever people and most of them live on their wits, as there is no safety net to protect them. Those that can’t work will die if they are not cared for or if they cannot fend for themselves. We, in the developed world, have an awful lot we could learn from these gracious and loving people. We will return to see our Indian friends again!