Cordes Travels

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

"Treasure Island"

We are visiting Norman Island, aka Treasure Island. This is a privately owned, uninhibited island with a restaurant/bar in a protected cove called "The Bight". This is apparently where the rich and beautiful come to hang out from Puerto Rico and beyond. Oddly, we have AT&T 4G voice and data service here, probably from neighboring St. John's, part of the US Virgin Islands.

"Dog islands"

We are sailing to Norman Island, aka "Treasure Island", the namesake of the book by Robert Louis Stevenson. We passed by two little islands called the Dog Islands. Early sailors passing by thought they heard dogs barking on the islands and thus the name. But what they really heard were Monk Seals barking.

Monday, March 25, 2013

Super yacht

There are many yachts in the bay we are anchored in. But this one... This one has its own helicopter!

Later we saw the helicopter flying around and we watched it land on the yacht. Very cool.

I found some info on it. http://www.luxurylaunches.com/transport/luxurious_t6_superyacht_for_sale_for_58_million.php

Sent from Kyle's AT&T iPhone

Back home vs British Virgin Islands

A friend sent a photo of our house. Lots of snow. But nothing but sunshine and warm breezes on the island of Virgin Gorda.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Sunset

The sun is setting over the Caribbean. Can't believe it's snowing back home. Hope everyone stays warm and safe!

Leaving Anguilla

It's Sunday late afternoon and we have set sail and are leaving Anguilla behind. This afternoon we boarded the tender and went to the beach. We took our turn on a little fiberglass "Pico" sail boat. I suppose if you search the web you might find a picture of what one looks like. Lets just say that sailing one is easier said than done. We managed to accidentally ram an anchored boat (and startled the occupants) and then while trying to return to the beach, mostly against the wind, we flipped it over. We did get it righted and climbed back aboard, and eventually sailed our way back to the beach. So we aren't sailors, but we had a blast trying.

Captain Sergey

Captain Sergey introduced key crew members on the ship. We are 153 passengers and 78 crew of 24 nationalities.

On the way to Anguilla

Relaxing on the way to Anguilla this Morning. Here's the view from my deck chair.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Star Clipper cruise, "Treasure Islands"

We have arrived on the island of St. Maarten in the Caribbean and have boarded our ship, the Star Clipper. We set sail tonight and will be in Anguilla tomorrow. These ships always have an international crew; the bartender is Ukrainian and his name is Igor.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Back home

We are happy to be back home with Moshi!

Thanks to all for the comments and well-wishes on our trip!

Leaving Detroit

One more flight and we'll be home!

Amsterdam airport

The Weisbergers spent the night in Nairobi and will fly to Amsterdam this morning and spend a few days here relaxing. The rest of us took the overnight flight from Nairobi and have safely arrived. From here, Kristina and Todd go to Seattle, Debra goes to Indy via Minneapolis, and the rest of us go to Indy via Detroit. These trips always feel a little strange, a little melancholy, as we start to say our goodbyes to people we've spent so much time with, and experienced so many things with, over the last two weeks.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

On board

We are ready to depart Nairobi!

Nairobi airport

Another 26 hours and we'll be home. But for now, we are sitting at the Nairobi airport, recognized throughout the world as one of the worst.

http://www.frommers.com/slideshow/index.cfm?group=786&p=9

Oh well. It's not like there are options... Wish us luck!

Sent from Kyle's AT&T iPhone

Fairview Hotel, Nairobi

We are chilling/refreshing a bit at the Fairview Hotel. We have collected our luggage and will soon depart for the airport.

Trout Tree Restaurant

On our way to Nairobi we stopped for lunch at a touristy place called the Trout Tree Restaurant. It is built into and around a big tree. It has its own trout farm below. There are Colobus monkeys and little Tree Hyraxes all over the place.

Science test

We stopped for a demonstration at the equator. A local "guide" performed an experiment to prove that water wants to rotate in different directions depending on which side of the equator you are on. First, we walked 20 steps north of the equator and he poured water into a funnel with a small drain opening. He placed a couple of small sticks in the water and you could see them rotating clockwise. He pointed out that the water coming out of the funnel spiraled clockwise.

Then we walked 20 steps south of the equator and repeated the experiment and the water flowed counter-clockwise.

And finally we repeated the experiment right at the equator and the sticks did not rotate and the water coming out of the funnel did not spiral.

It was a fun experiment, but is it legit? Travel guides suggest it is slight of hand, but it was a fun little diversion.

Rhino sanctuary

We checked out of Sweetwaters after our morning game drive, then we stopped by the rhino sanctuary. Here, Marisa is feeding a blind rhino, who lost his right eye in a fight with a dominant male, and his left eye has a cataract that they hope to surgically remove sometime soon.