Location, location, location!

This cruise is all about the ports-of-call (among other things I'm sure). From the homework I've done, at our first port of call St. Maarten we will accomplish visiting two countries in one fell swoop -- the Netherlands (Antilles)and France (French West Indies. This mountainous island is rapidly becoming the Eastern Caribbean's next St. Thomas (and I remember St. Thomas from our honeymoon cruise on the Costa Romantica ten years ago -- major bling to buy) -- its duty-free shopping rivals, if not exceeds that of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Prices for electronics and liquor (Absolut vodka reportedly sells for USD5) may well be the best in the Caribbean. So we'll look for #1 on Christopher's Christmas wish list -- an IPOD nano. Now, our only problem is does he want the 2gb or the 4gb?

Oh and did I mention that there is a clothing-optional -- how's that for a new slant on nude? -- beach, Orient Beach. Or there's a secluded beached, Cupecoy Beach, see above, which has caves, rock cliffs and lots of private noks and crannies. Now that sounds like my cup of tea!

I also have a "Best Cocktail" list and in St. Maarten it is a Guavaberry Colada -- the liqueur is made from the Guava fruit, a tart berry. Mmmmmm!