Yesterday at sea was relaxing, pleasant and warm.  As I said in my very brief blog, yesterday, there was very little distance between Basseterre (Port Zante) and Philipsburg in the Dutch section of St. Maarten.  There was a Captain’s drinks party for loyal Cunard World Club members which took place around the pool area of Deck 9.  My meeting with the Captain was “split second.”  The traditional canapés appeared just once, very briefly miles away, and waiters offering various  drinks became hard to track down for a second helping, unless one was in the know.  The Entertainment Director delivered a short speech of appreciation for our “loyalty.”  Being my 54th voyage with Cunard, there was a strong feeling of deja vue.  Jackie (from our table) joined me so at least I wasn’t completely alone  i also met a couple from Hull who I got to know earlier in the cruise.

The evening ended with yet another phenomenal show which inspired much dancing in the aisles and cheering.   Janine Johnson’s rendition of I Will Survive right at the end matched the original and then some.  Aren’t today’s phones brilliant for recording magnificent moments! 

Just by coincidence, I met with the artiste over a mug of tea this morning. It transpires she grew up not far from where my father did obviously several decades earlier!  Hopefully I may receive a “still” of this concert I can add at a later date.

I skipped lunch on the ship, opting for chicken and chips at a beach café  just a water taxi ride from the port.  I wasn’t as hungry as I thought- the portion of barbecued chicken was generous.

Philipsburg makes a grand finale to this unexpectedly wonderful cruise.  I may have been in these parts before but there was no sense of monotony coming back. On the contrary, enormous pleasure.  And yes!  I succumbed and booked to return.  Attacks of buyer’s remorse disturb my sleep like frequent bathroom visits. But as I am constantly reminded, “you cannot take it with you…” to which I respond, “I have absolutely no intention of going anytime soon!”  My all too brief but relaxing afternoon in the gloriously casual and colourful town of Philipsburg makes me glad I will be coming back if plans work out.

In a little under two hours, the last leg of this tour begins.  6 nights to Ponte Del Garda in the Azores.  The woman whose day was absolutely ruined because of a stick of cold broccoli will have more to gripe about as the temperatures drop subtly at first.  A crescendo of cold is the only prospect now!   (Take no notice – summer is a comin’!)

I didn’t get far this time. I would have liked to seen the beach where the aeroplanes approach the airport and thus fly spectacularly low.  Maybe next time.  I can understand Chris’s liking of Caribbean beaches.  I’m sure that I could get very used to lying motionless under a protective umbrella for an hour or three.

I was sorry not to see more of the island. But wandering aimlessly along unfamiliar streets, past endless souvenir shops and “drop-in” cafés for an un-needed coffee with absolutely no pressure other than not watch your ship sail away was most appealing.  I was strongly advised not even to take a short trip this afternoon as traffic is incredibly busy.  Live music in the form of steel bands, musicians and backing tracks belting out almost everywhere created a special ambience of occasion.  It’s not everyday one enjoys a blazing sun at the end of January.  But today marks the end of almost two weeks of pitons, volcanic dramatic backdrops, azure seas, porcelain white sands and losing my phone!  Ye gods, that felt like the worst two hours of entire life. It wasn’t actually but the relief when I found it at the ship’s security area where I had left it in the small items tray was overwhelming. It still is!

Pun of the day…While taking a taxi back to the ship, I got a fleeting glimpse of what might have been a footwear outlet, Doc Maartens!  

Walking to the ship from the taxi drop off point, music played from different locations including the boarding area for Aida Blu passengers.  I returned to the ship, my feet leaving Caribbean soil for a long time.  There was much activity on board.  Live music played at the sail away party aft on Deck 9 around the swimming pool.

Activities around the aft pool on Deck 9 kept the place vibrant, where eventually “eat drink and be merry” was adopted as a local mantra.  The sunset was “boring,” having again hidden behind a bank of clouds. However, the sky did disp a spectacular cloud and colour formation.

Many thanks reading. David 23.54 hrs  28 Jan 26.  In his stateroom.