Continuing Highlights of TWR Phenomenal Life Empowerment Cruise to the Caribbean…

Our first port of call after one full day at sea was Grand Turks, located about 550 miles southeast of Florida in the Atlantic Ocean; home to approximately 30,000 full-time residents; many descendants of Africans brought to work in the salt pans and cotton plantations. When we disembarked I was amused by all the beach chairs lined across the beach theater-style with the primary view being our cruise ship – “not for me” I quickly decided. Once past the duty-free shop, we wandered into an entire plaza of upscale over-priced merchandise suitable for tourists spending time in the Caribbean. Initially put off, I was very excited to see the Phenomenal Life theme displayed on one of the shop doors.

Although we hadn’t signed up for a formal Holland America sponsored tour, we certainly wanted to see some of the highlights of the tiny island. As our spokesman grilled the taxi monitor about what we’d see, I just said, “We want the Black People’s Tour.” She immediately went away and summoned Hartley, a mature, knowledgeable, flexible and good-natured man who took a full van of African Americans to the hood.

We learned that Grand Turks is still a British Crown Colony with a presiding British Governor. A former US Air Force Tracking Base had long since closed, however the Splashdown Grand Turk Exhibit highlighting a replica of US Astronaut John Glenn’s Friendship 7 Space Capsule remains a popular attraction. The economy relies heavily on the tourism industry (cruisers, divers, special events), real estate development and seafood exportation. Hartley took us around the entire island, where former salt pits, churches of different faiths, some with primary schools, and cemeteries abound….and donkeys outnumber and out-eat the horses and dogs.

The Light House located on the northern tip is a prized historic site with a colorful history. However, more notable for me was the former hospital, now a Wellness Center- We maintain an atmosphere of wellness in mind, body, spirit & soul, located across the street from the modern hospital that had no ‘hospital’ sign on it. How exciting to see this holistic approach to wellness in Grand Turks!

We also drove through a more ‘affluent’ residential area, prime land that the government had sub-divided, where many locals were building homes, a very costly, labor-intensive and lengthy process since all building materials are imported from the states. We returned to the section of main street where local artisans sell their crafts and clothing to tourists, at negotiable prices. We dined at the town’s “best” café…managed by an enterprising local woman, happy to cool off and chow down.

Then back to our cruise ship, via the section of town where Hartley was born and grew up, through several blocks of property his father had inherited and many of his relatives lived…a humbling, yet inspiring end to an evocative tour, handled with honesty, humor and graciousness.

On board Holland America, I was delighted to dine at The Tamarind, a Pan-Asian fine dining experience, aesthetically and gastronomically pleasing…5 sumptuous courses provided with the utmost courtesy, care and charm. They were even able to accommodate my gluten-free dining mate…and we both enjoyed the entire meal. Later, I was intrigued to go to a Motown Revue, in my opinion more aptly termed an interpretation of Soul Music by the House Band, Ben and the HAL Cats. They definitely got people up and onto the dance floor, adding to the fun of the evening’s entertainment!

Next…San Juan, Puerto Rico; St Thomas, US Virgin Islands, and Half Moon Cay, Bahamas