Day 8 Castries, St. Lucia

Today was a fabulous day in St. Lucia but important things first……  Just wanted to give a bit of an update on how the cruise is going so far.  I would like to start with the Dining Room.  I have been very fortunate to be assisted in the best possible way by my waiter, M. Rizqon and the Assistant Maître D Hilman Musa.  Both individuals (pictured) are exceptional.  They exemplify everything that Holland America Line stands for…  Excellence, dedication and Customer care.  I feel very fortunate indeed to have these two exceptional individuals looking after my culinary needs.  I just hope Holland America Line management appreciates them as much as their guests do.  Great job Rizqon & Hilman!!!!  Two of the best!  The food on board has been excellent as has the service in all departments.  The diesel problem is behind me so that is good.  The entertainment has also been exceptional.  All in all, everything is going very well.  Now, about today…..  Brad, Leslie & I left the ship with very little thought as to how our day would go.  We thought we would walk into town for a bit and then head back to the ship.  That was not to be the case….  We hooked up with a very professional & persuasive individual named Valence Mulcare who had his own taxi.  He convinced us to head out with him on a tour of beautiful St. Lucia…..  It turned out to be a great decision.  We were able to see so muh of the island’s natural beauty and some of the people as they went about their daily lives.   It was a great experience….  Of course the highlight of the day, for me, was photographing the Pitons…  I did one other time but that was from the sea.  I think the vistas from the land are much better.  All day laon, every time we turned around, Val surprised us with another rpeice of beautiful, dramatic scenery…..  It truly was a great day.  P.S.  I hope it poured rain all day in Barbados and the Boatyard had to close….  Tomorrow we will arrive into St. Maarten.  I will be heading to the Frence side, St Martin, to take the ferry to an island I have not been to previously, Anguliia…  Should be fun (certainly more fun than Barbados)   Have you picked up a new theme???