We're back from Orlando and the Caribbean

Katie during one of the formal formal nights onboard the Queen Mary II (every night at the dining room was formal, just some were more so than others) 04/07/08

Pete in his tux. It still fits after over 13 years!

One of our tablemates, Maureen.

04/07/08

Two more of our tablemates, Esther and Scotty. 04/07/08

Helen Suman, one of the eight people at our table. 04/07/08

Joy and Roy Morrow, the last of our tablemates, and yes, they have a son, Troy. 04/07/08

Katie admiring one of the fresh-every-day flower decorations in the ship's lobby. 04/07/08

Tortola, our first island stop.

This was the type of transportation we took on a couple of tours. They were very inexpensive and informative. We caught them at the dock without booking through the ship's tour desk. 04/09/08

A view from high atop Tortola looking down on the QM2. If you look carefully (zoom in by clicking on the picture) you can see two other smaller cruise ships at the dock.

Our ship, called an ocean liner by the captain, had to anchor out. We were then brought to the town by some of the ship's lifeboats used as tenders. 04/09/08

Katie and Pete having a break on the top of Tortola at an observation deck built on the top of a restaurant and bar. 04/09/08

A view from the island toward our ship, note the concrete roof just below the road, most houses are built this way with the rebar sticking out, making it easier to add more floors later. A lot of the houses may have two or more floors with the extra ones rented out as apartments.

If you look very carefully you can see one of the tenders just about to dock. 04/09/08

Katie trying to decide what to have at the beach. This was a stop at Cane Garden Bay. I tried to talk her into "Sex on the Beach" but there were a few too many people around. 04/09/08

Katie settled for a Margarita and a walk in the ocean. It was very clear with super white sand.

04/09/08

Our next island stop. The dock at St. Kitts, its amazing how every dock just happens to have a gift shop that you somehow just have to walk through to and from your ship. 04/10/08

One of the villages we passed on the St. Kitts train trip, everyone seemed to have a very small market and a laundermat. 04/10/08

View of some of the sugarcane on St. Kitts. It is not being harvested anymore (last couple of years), just not any profit anymore. The locals are now making alcohol from the fields and there is talk of biofuel.

04/10/08

View of the sugar cane train, Diesel engines came from Poland, special cars (open on the top, airconditioned seating with restrooms on the bottom) were built in Washington and generator car (seen just after the engine) was built in Colorado.

Just after this picture, the train broke down and after an hour they bussed us back to the dock. We missed about half of the tour but the nicely refunded us the total amount. 04/10/08

Katie and Pete relaxing on the top deck of the train

04/10/08

This is our ship at dock in Barbados.

View of our ship with the submarine ride passing in front of us. We were off for a great snorkle trip.

04/11/08

This was our snorkle boat, Wildcat III (yes it was a catarmaran). We were getting off to go find the turtles. 04/11/08

One of the turtles we saw....

04/11/08

Another one that swam alongside us...

04/11/08

Katie checking out the turtles

04/11/08

Our second stop was at a shipwreck, lots of fish!

04/11/08

Pete helping out the boat's captain check out one of the outdrives. He was having problems with one not performing. The way the boat is trimmed the props are partially out of the water and a special PVC arrangement was made to help cool the drives.

04/11/08

St. Luica's famous Pitons that the brave climb.

04/12/08

Joy and Roy were on the same tour as we were in St. Lucia. 04/12/08

Some on the gang. We found out later that this was a party trip, the Rum flowed freely after the swim and there was lots of dancing (not from us).

04/12/08

One of the fancy deserts at dinner.

04/12/08

Katie in front of one of the ships fancy murals. 04/13/08

Two other ships in port at St. Thomas, our last stop for this cruise. 04/13/08

Pete at one of the St. Thomas shopping stops during our great tour. Can you spot the QM2 over his left hand? 04/13/08

Katie looking out of the truck toward downtown St. Thomas. This island has really exploded since we were last here. They have a brand new Home Depot! 04/13/08

Katie and Pete at the last formal formal dinner. 04/14/08

This little guy was one of the fancy decorations at the Sushi area. 04/15/08

Katie with an ice carving in the buffet area. 04/15/08

Sunrise over New York City on our way back into port and home... 04/16/08