Ship Marella Explorer
08/03/2026 to 15/03/2026 – Taste of the Tropics
15/03/2026 – 22/03/2026 – Paradise Islands
13/03/2026 – Tobago
We went on a trip to the Argyle Falls. These are some of the best known falls in the Caribbean.
The walk from the bus to the falls was another another lesson in how the people make so much from the plants, there were food plants, plants used for medication and bamboo for building and scaffolding. Time after time how close the people were to nature was evident.
The falls could have been stunning if there was not so many people on the same schedule.
The afternoon was spent wandering round Scarborough and we ended up spending a fair amount of time in the park / botanic gardens in the middle of town.
The pilot boat caught at sunset.
14/03/2026 – Bequia (The Grenadines)
We had little expectation of Bequia – How wrong we were.
The day started well.
This was the only tender on the cruise, and it was well organised with little waiting.
There was very little offered on the trips from the boat, and to be honest very little on the island. We had a cunning plan. I had picked up on a walk on All Trails.
We took a taxi to Spring View Park about 5 miles from Port Elizabeth and walked back. The taxi driver was a little concerned and said it was too far (the island was about 10 miles end to end).
The park had nice views over St VIncent
The path parelleled the cliff top, on the North West of the island, with views down the length of the island and to the east coast. Then followd the road back to Port Elizabeth. It was quiet and peaceful, the only toursits were a French couple doing the same walk in reverse.
While we were crossing the island we stopped for probably 20 minutes to watch the progress of a rain shower. We knew we were getting wet but we dried quickly. The clouds passed the sun followed
As the rain passed a couple of young lads, with high vis and helmets walked past. We just said you are so lucky to live here, and their reply, not lucky blessed.
We had a beer when we got back to town.
Then it was a walk along the Princess Margaret Trail, which hugged the coast, and in place was a boardwalk,
to the very full Princess Margaret Beach.
When we had been looking this was one of the places we had very little expectations for, but ended up both really enjoying it
It ended well
15/03/2026 – Barbados
The weather on this cruise took a lot of getting used to. We got wet most days, but usually showers lasted for minutes. Barbados was the worst. We got soaked multiple times.
A lot of places are closed in Bridgetown on a Sunday so we decided to go to the East Coast.
The day started with a walk via Independence Square, when we got caught in an almighty deluge, on the way to the bus station. After a long wait the bus arrived.
The first stop was Andromeda Botanic Gardens – I had seen this mentioned and then found it was associated with the Royal Horticultural Society. This was more a gardenn dedicated to native species as opposed to a show garden.
It was the most impressive gardens of the cruise
When we had looked at the gardens it had looked a reasonable size. The clever planting and paths that kept taking you back into the plants made it appear much bigger.
It was a shame that we were not able to see it in full sun, and I am certain we would have been there longer if not for the rain.
Then around a half mile walk down to the beach in Bathsheba, that had some great views.
Looking South
Looking North
and some fabulous rock formations. with the waves that were coming all the way across the Atlantic. And the weather was changing by the minute.
Then headed back to Bridgetown and went for a walk to along the beach until we found Lobster Alive. This was without doubt the meal of the holiday, there was lobster in almost every forkful, and the ambience was truly brilliant. A jazz band playing, stel drums when they took a break, and a truly tasty rum punch.
Then a walk on the perfect Caribbean beach.
This was the end of week one of the cruise. So now it is time for Paradise Islands