Caribbean Cruising

Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Sea

The Culture The culture of St. Kitts and Nevis, two small Caribbean islands forming one country, has grown mainly out of the West African traditions of the slave population brought in during the colonial period. France and British colonists both settled the islands, and for a period of time the British imported indentured Irish servants. The native Caribs, skilled warriors, defended their lands by attacking the colonies. But by 1782, the British had gained control of St. Kitts and Nevis, which they retained until granting the islands their independence in 1983. British influence remains in the country's official language, English, while some islanders speak an English-based Creole. The influence of the French, Irish, and Carib seems less pronounced. The Economy The economy of Saint Kitts and Nevis traditionally depended on the growing and processing of sugar cane; but decreasing world prices and the late 1800s discovery by European nations that sugar could be processed from sugar beets essentially eliminated growing sugar cane for export. Hence the countryside is dotted with the ruins of small furnances and sugar cane processing equipment that the many plantations used in their export operations. Tourism, export-oriented manufacturing, and offshore banking activity have assumed larger roles in Saint Kitts and Nevis. Most food is imported.

The excursions booked at St Kitts by Jay and Joyce was for riding a narrow gauge railway with five open-deck passenger cars. The route covered a fair portion of the island. This railway had been part of the government efforts to economically get sugar from sugarcane from the fields to the port where it could be exported. When sugar was no longer economically feasible to produce and export, this train line was converted to a tourist attraction. The excusion included a narration of the countryside.

The balance of the excursion included travel by catamaran back to the port. Both the train ride and the catamaran sailing included beverages, and the catamaran crew also provided light snacks. Nice!

St Kitts was also where Joyce bought another Pandora charm for her bracelets. She also bought some Cuban cigars for Michael. Time in the port area also include a nice lunch.