Where is Chris - Tropical Island

King Kamehameha Day is observed annually on June 11th.   He was a prominent figure in this island paradise.  We are sure you can easily guess the destination, but for a little extra challenge, where exactly is Chris.  This is one of the popular tourist attractions when visiting this island.

Had we not said this is a tropical island, you may have guessed an entirely different destination when looking at the photo below.   What is this attraction?  #KeepTheKidsEngaged

We hope you are enjoying this series of  "Where is Chris" posts.  We'd love your feedback on our social media.

Where is Chris?  

Where is Chris    Learn More

Here is today's post: See if you can guess where I am. 

As promised, we've updated yesterday's post,  Where is Chris - A Prince is Born, with the answer to the puzzle.  Revisit that post and just scroll over the image to reveal the answer.  You can also click on the link below the picture to read more.  

Make sure to follow us on our social media, so you don't miss any destinations. 

If you can't wait for tomorrow for the answer, you can take my quiz in my Instagram story

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Exclusive Grand Turk Experience

Crystal Clear Blue Waters 

Are Calling You

If blue is your favorite color, then Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, is the place for you.  As your ship pulls into the harbor this picture unfolds in front of your eyes.   A short walk from your ship, and you can immerse yourself in these beautiful waters or relax on the beach and just enjoy the scenery.

But first, it was time for us to explore the island on an exclusive shore excursion offered by Shore Excursions Group.  Working with a Professional Travel Planner, you rely on their recommendations. In order for me to provide those recommendations, I need to experience the ships and tours myself. Since I hadn't done that before on Grand Turk, we decided to book the "Exclusive Grand Turk Experience" during one of our recent cruises in the Caribbean.

Guided Island Tour

Click images to enlarge - view Grand Turk Album

Grand Turk Island is the administrative, historic, cultural and financial center of the island nation of Turks and Caicos. Grand Turk is largest of all the islands that comprise the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean. With crystal clear waters, gorgeous climate, and a unique culture, Grand Turk has become a popular cruise destination for travelers visiting from all around the world.

This guided island drive tour showed us the highlights of Grand Turk Island. We visited the island's top attractions, including the former United States Air Force Tracking Base and a replica of Astronaut John Glenn's Friendship 7 space capsule, which splashed down off the island's coast in 1962 following the United States' first successful manned orbit of the earth.

We also saw several 18th-century churches, beautiful Bermudan-style buildings, and salt ponds. In this peaceful town you may also see wild horses and donkeys freely roaming the streets. There was a brief photo stop to see a working lighthouse that has been in service for more than 150 years. Built in London in 1852 and shipped to Grand Turk, it was assembled in hopes of saving the salt trade. Standing sixty feet, it was designed by Alexander Gordon, who designed lighthouses throughout the British Empire.

Next we had an opportunity to visit "The Salt House", a recreated 17th-century saltpan that chronicles the history of the salt and slave industry.  View Grand Turk Album for more images from our excursion.

Margaritaville Grand Turk (photo album)

Margaritaville Grand Turk

Following our shore excursion tour, we had plenty of time to enjoy Margaritaville which is within walking distance of the ship.   Find your place in the sun or shade by the beach or around the pool for a relaxing day in the Caribbean.

Enjoy some food or your favorite beverage while lounging on your beach chair by the pool.  Salt water or fresh water - the choice is yours and there is no charge (other than for food and beverages) to enjoy this oasis in the sun.

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Our Recommendations for Grand Turk

If this is your first visit to Grand Turk, or if you have never explored the island on past trips, we'd encourage you to explore via a private shore excursion, such as the one we took from Shore Excursion Group.  The reason we suggest a private tour is that you'll have less people in your group and it will cost less than ship organized tours.  We even had wi-fi on our mini-van!

Grand Turk is a great place to enjoy the beautiful crystal blue waters of the Caribbean.  Book a snorkeling or scuba tour if you are adventurous or simply relax on the beach by Margaritaville.   Your ship is your floating base, so you can go back and forth for meals if you don't want to purchase food at Margaritaville.   Should you decide to stay on board the ship, odds are you'll have the ship to yourself as most people will be hanging out at the beach.

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Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us Wednesday night for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat 

5 Ingredients for Tropical Island Night

#1 - Event Announcements

 What better way to publicize a party than to put it in bright lights on the big screen?

 #2 - Location, Location, Location

The location for this Tropical Island Night was non other than Caribbean Princess cruise ship's main pool.  There is plenty of room on the outdoor decks for all to partake comfortably.

#3 - Participants

This party was hosted by our Cruise Director along with his staff.   All guests were welcome.

 #4 - Food & Entertainment

Take the first 3 ingredients, add in some food and entertainment, stir it all up and you have the makings of a fun-filled evening at sea.   

Missing Ingredient:

YOU

 

This should be you enjoying a gorgeous night at sea under the stars with some new friends, great food, and entertainment.

We got a tip that your beach ball is lost somewhere on the ship - contact us to arrange a trip to retrieve it.

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Did anyone ever tell you that a CRUISE IS BORING?  

What do YOU think NOW?

Galapagos - Urbina Bay

click images to enlarge

ISABELA ISLAND - URBINA BAY

Day 7 of our Celebrity Xpeditions finds us on Isabela Island, which is by far the largest island in the Galapagos Archipelago.  It is composed of of 6 shield volcanoes - Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf that over the years have coalesced into one island.  All of these volcanoes are considered still active with the last volcanic eruption occurring in May 2008.

There are five different subspecies of giant tortoises spread upon their slopes; almost all of the wonderful photos of these giant tortoises you may have seen were probably taken here.   Today we had our first opportunity to find the giant land tortoises (Galapagos).

Urbina Bay, a beautiful, small bay located at the east base of the Alcedo volcano.  The bay coastal area was uplifted 12 - 15 feet along a shore line of over a mile.  The violent action happened so quickly that it trapped crustaceans, echinoderms, mollusks, and fish species inland. 

The trail starts on the beach where a wet landing is made, the tour is approximately 3200m, and runs through sand substrates, pumice rock, lava, coral and vegetable formations in a coastal area that has had a lift; in addition burrows of land iguanas can be seen.

This area is also directly affected by the Cromwell Upwelling Current.  The Cromwell is a deep water current traveling along the equatorial line form the western Pacific eventually coming in contact with the Galapagos Archipelago.  This nutrient rich, cold water comes to the surface with temperatures reaching the mid 50's (10 -13 degrees Celsius).

View our Galapagos - Urbina Bay photo album for more images of our morning excursion on the Island of Isabela.

Click on the image to the left for more Blog posts about this trip.

Additional Photos can be found on our Exotics Shutterfly page

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In Search of Gilligan's Island

Could This Be Gilligan's Island?

Back in the 60's a popular television show had viewers watching week after week to see what the fate would be of the shipwrecked survivors of the S.S. Minnow.

They ended up on an island, much like the one in this picture following a storm.   The rainbow in this image tells us that the rain is still falling, but the sun is starting to shine painting the sky with colorful streaks.

Where was Gilligan's Island?

The show wasn't specific about the location, but we know the small ship departed Honolulu, Hawaii and set sail for it's "three hour tour".   This puts the island somewhere in the Pacific.  We think that a worthy goal would be to set sail from Hawaii in search of that island.  Anyone want to come along?

Thanks to the popular song from that series is now stuck in my head.   They held a contest to find the most popular television show theme and Gilligan's Island beat out the competition.

Since the song is stuck in my head, I thought I'd pass this along to you as well so that you can join me.
If you've never seen the show, and it happens to appear in syndication on a TV near you, I strongly encourage you to check it out.   You too may then want to join me on a quest for some South Pacific island, even if it isn't actually Gilligan's Island, do you think you'd really care?

Enjoy the video of the opening, colorized (which means it was from season 2 or 3).  

Gilligan's Island Opening Theme in Color

"The Ballad of Gilligan's Isle" (Sherwood Schwartz/George Wyle) Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, A tale of a fateful trip That started with this tropic port Aboard this tiny ship. The mate was a mighty sailin' man, The skipper brave and sure. Five passengers set sail that day For a three-hour tour, a three-hour tour. The weather started getting rough, The tiny ship was tossed, If not for the courage of the fearless crew The Minnow would be lost, the Minnow would be lost. The ship set ground on the shore of this Uncharted desert isle With Gilligan, The Skipper too, The millionaire and his wife, The movie star, The Professor and Mary Ann, Here on Gilligan's Isle!

Neighborhoods of Labadee Haiti

      Labadee Haiti

    Private Paradise

On the north coast of Hispaniola, surrounded by beautiful mountain slopes and exotic foliage, sits Labadee®, Royal Caribbean's private paradise. Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas sails there during the 7 Night Eastern Caribbean cruise.  This exclusive destination offers pristine beaches, breathtaking scenery and spectacular water activities. 

Labadee boasts new enhancements and amenities for guests. The beach destination now features seven neighborhoods, each with a distinct style: 

Buccaneers' Bay

You'll find the tour information and booking desk at Buccaneer's Bay, where you can book any remaining available spots for excursions. This is also the meeting point for our watercraft and boat tours. There is plenty to choose from including the WaveJet tour, Parasailing, Arawaky Snorkel Adventure, Haitian Hydro Highlights Express, Discover Haiti, Sandbar Rendezvous, Haitian Cultural Tour and Snorkel Safaris.

Dragon's Plaza

Located just outside Buccaneers' Bay. Here you'll be able to enjoy a barbecue style lunch buffet at the Dragon's Café. Dragon's Plaza is also the start of the longest beach on Labadee. Although not suitable for swimming (visit the beach at Columbus Cove instead), it is the perfect place to soak up the sun and listen to the sounds of the ocean. Be sure to take a walk out to Dragon's Head (a breathtaking natural rock formation). 

Labadee Town Square

Labadee Town Square boasts an expanded version of the popular artisan market and a festive atmosphere that comes alive with music, folkloric dancers and more. This location offers convenient meeting places where guests can enjoy the rich Haitian culture and take in shopping, shows, cultural activities and other memorable experiences.

At the end of your day at the beach, catch a tram ride back to Buccaneer's Bay where it's just a short walk to the exit and back to your awaiting ship.

Adrenaline Beach

Not only is this beach brand new, but it is also home to Labadee's newest attraction, the Dragon's Tail Coaster. Located by Labadee Town Square, Adrenaline Beach features soccer, basketball and beach volleyball games.

During our visit, we had olympic style games there raising money for "Make-A-Wish Foundation"  as part of our National Conference activities.

Columbus Cove

This family friendly spot is located in a protected cove that allows for swimming and floating on a beach mat. Trees along the sandy beach provide natural shade great for relaxation. Columbus Cove boasts one of the largest aqua parks in the Caribbean. The young and young at heart alike will enjoy family activities including: climbing "icebergs," the log roll, the teeter-totter, trampolines and a new water slide. This is also the site of one of our barbecue lunch buffet areas.

Nellie's Beach

Simply a slice of paradise. Want to enjoy a nice leisurely kayak trip to take in the sights of the surrounding coast and nearest village? Nellie's Beach is now home to the Kayak Adventure. You can also enjoy floating beach mats and complimentary beach lounge chairs on this picture perfect beach.

Barefoot Beach Club

Exclusively for Royal Caribbean International's Grand suites and above guests, the Barefoot Beach Club offers a total of 20 private cabanas along the water's edge and within the hillside areas. Enhanced food and beverage services are also available.





Guests are now able to dock directly on the Labadee coastline without having to tender onto a smaller vessel. This gives guests more time to enjoy the spectacular activities available on their own private beach destination. The pier stretches 1,300 feet (pier and trestle) in length and even allows the 225,282 gross registered tonnage berth of the Oasis of the Seas^®, Allure of the Seas^®, Freedom of the Seas^® and Liberty of the Seas^®.

To learn more about our recent Allure of the Seas cruise, and see more pictures, become a fan on our Facebook page: