Caribbean Cruise on the Royal Clipper
20th March 2015
Day One - Antigua
There's definitely something about the Caribbean... something that draws you in and invites you with open arms to experience the warmth, friendliness and beauty it has to offer. After being in Antigua for less than one day, I stand by this and admittedly have royally fallen head over heels in love with this part of the world once more.
As I write this from my gorgeous room at Blue Waters, St Johns, it's difficult to picture that 18 hours ago I was settled at London's Gatwick airport, amongst the general morning hustle and bustle primarily consisting of solar-eclipse-anticipation (did anyone see anything?).
Our Virgin Atlantic flight took off on time at 11:15am, bound for the blue skies of St John's (and undoubtedly with matching crystal blue seas). 8 hours of longing for the 28 degree heat soon passed by, and before we knew it our group were through immigration and on the-slightly bumpy- journey to Blue Waters. Our driver was a happy man, who engrossed himself in singing John Legend's All Of Me for almost the entire journey. Unlike the UK, we didn't find ourselves staring out of the window at service stations and lay-bys, but instead this had now been replaced by palm trees and brightly coloured houses, a lot of pastels and very well co-ordinated neighbours!
Once we arrived at Blue Waters we were greeted by very friendly staff (armed with cool hand towels) who made us feel immediately welcome and gave us a thorough tour of the grounds. This included the spa and the beautiful outside area where loved up couples get married- an average week sees 6 couples tie the knot here. Whilst we were seeing the various rooms and villas the resort has to offer, I found myself immersed in the blissful tranquillity that surrounded us. The air seems still and silent yet full of hidden treasures, and luckily I don't just mean mosquitoes!
Before heading to a group dinner laid on in the main restaurant I took some time to fully appreciate the setting sun from our balcony alongside a glass of bubbly (well, it would be rude not to wouldn't it?) To me this seems more special than any time I have seen the sun set in the UK- the colours are deeper, the reds and oranges almost resembling the colours you might see in exotic, tropical fruits otherwise non-existent to us.
After a long day of travelling the group headed for a relatively early night, all eagerly anticipating our journey to Barbados in the morning to embark the beautiful Royal Clipper. We are extremely fortunate to be able to experience the final Grenadine Islands sailing of the season, before she commences her transatlantic sailing back to the Mediterranean.
For now, a good night's sleep in my air-conditioned room is on the cards, as is an early morning wake-up call for our flight to the ship. This time tomorrow we will have sailed away from Bridgetown on Royal Clipper, and I can't wait to update you all from our stunning vessel.
