So after 14 days of sea, we woke up early on Monday morning for our first view of a Caribbean island, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines or SVG as the locals call it.
It was cloudy over the island but very warm. The kids dressed up in their Pirates of the Caribbean costumes. 
As we approached the harbour, we could set the cruise terminal jetty where we were due to berth. A good number of people were waiting to welcome us, including a full steel band. As we docked, the heavens opened and we got absolutely soaked.
Monday was spent getting the ship ready for opening, which for me meant lots of work on the visitors deck setting everything up again after the voyage. At lunchtime we had a bit of light relief as we were able to jump off the quayside and swim in the warm Caribbean water. Sadly that didn't last long as just a few hours later, we were told by the port authorities to stop.
The first days we have been open here in Saint Vincent we have been very surprised by the number of visitors and the booksales. Yesterday(Friday) we beat our previous visitor record set in London, with nearly 5000 coming onboard. We also had our first event in the Caribbean in our new theatre, a fantastic youth event with over 370 young people.
Today is a public holiday here in the Caribbean. 1st August is Emancipation Day when everyone celebrates freedom from slavery. We have been expecting large crowds to come to the ship, but strangely, the ship is actually very quiet.
Kingstown reminds Heather and I alot of Africa. The roots are the same and the sights and smells are similar. There is a lot of poverty here and yet there are also many people who clearly are wealthy. It is exciting to be back in a developing country.
The first days we have been open here in Saint Vincent we have been very surprised by the number of visitors and the booksales. Yesterday(Friday) we beat our previous visitor record set in London, with nearly 5000 coming onboard. We also had our first event in the Caribbean in our new theatre, a fantastic youth event with over 370 young people.
Today is a public holiday here in the Caribbean. 1st August is Emancipation Day when everyone celebrates freedom from slavery. We have been expecting large crowds to come to the ship, but strangely, the ship is actually very quiet.
Kingstown reminds Heather and I alot of Africa. The roots are the same and the sights and smells are similar. There is a lot of poverty here and yet there are also many people who clearly are wealthy. It is exciting to be back in a developing country.
This morning we received the shocking news that the 18 year old son of my friend and boss Mark had died in his sleep overnight. Mike Knight was a young lad who loved to worship and had just been accepted to study worship at a Christian music college. He was so excited and his parents very proud. His sister Akila is here onboard and we are trying to be a support to her at this time. It is so hard to understand why the Lord would choose to take Mike at such a young age but we need to trust God. Please pray for this family and for us onboard at this time.
No comments:
Post a Comment