A Girls' Adventure on Land: Caribbean Ports

As I settle back into my routine at home, I feel thankful for my life in South Florida. The weather is usually warm and sunny—except for the occasional rain. Yet, as I look through these photos from our Dinogo cruise, I can’t help but wonder when I can return to the islands to enjoy the lovely breeze, meet more amazing people, and indulge in delicious (mostly Rastafarian) cuisine (but more on the food later!).

ST. THOMAS

I'm not exactly sure how my friend Halle and I formed such a strong bond over the last couple of years, but I'm truly grateful for it. You might know her as my floral guru, the one who crafts stunning arrangements for me. However, she's frequently off traveling, often working on a boat or an island away from us. While we miss her a lot, it's fantastic for her!

Fortunately, our trip lined up perfectly since she was on an island not far from our first destination, St. Thomas. For us, who are huge fans of Halle (she’s the kids' favorite), this was a wonderful way to kick off our island adventure on this trip.

After spending our first two days at sea (check out our initial girls' trip at sea post here), we felt relaxed and eager to explore St. Thomas. Except for St. Thomas, I had been to every island on our itinerary before this trip, so we had no real expectations. Both Laura and I were delightfully surprised by the lush, mountainous landscape (or are they hills in St. Thomas? I might need to Google that… maybe hills?) as we arrived. We were thrilled to be greeted by our friend Halle after we got off the ship.

We spent the entire day soaking up the sun at St. Thomas. Our adventure began with a taxi ride to Magens Bay. Here’s a great tip: when your taxi drops you off, head left for a truly serene experience. If you’re in the mood for a lively vibe, stick to the right side—there, you’ll discover music, tropical drinks, and people embracing the joy of vacation life 😉. On our return to the port, we accidentally overlooked our intended lunch spot but ended up finding a delightful restaurant just a few blocks from the busy tourist areas. Upon arrival, the staff congratulated us for venturing so far off the beaten path. I chuckled and we indulged in some of our favorite home-cooked meals. #riceandbeansforever. Afterwards, we wandered around a bit, cherishing our time together, fully aware that we wouldn’t see Halle for at least a few more weeks.

 ANTIGUA

What I loved most about St. Thomas was being there with Halle. However, without a doubt, my absolute favorite was Antigua, as I had anticipated. My first cruise with my dad and brother as a young girl left a lasting impression, and Antigua remains the most memorable stop. I vividly recall my dad's excitement as he introduced me to the volcano, and how he bargained with the locals for a tea set I desperately wanted. The people made a lasting impact on me. I was thrilled to return to this beautiful island with Marlowe, eager to share the experience. Just hours after leaving Antigua, I found myself planning my next visit.

We had a helicopter ride scheduled for the day. I’ve mentioned my intense fear of flying several times before (I love traveling by water but dread air travel—yet I do it anyway). Although I was anxious, I intended to participate in the helicopter adventure. Despite my fears, I live by the motto of ‘you only live once’ for most things, and I knew the views would be breathtaking, so I was on board. However, Marlowe felt a bit overwhelmed and decided against it. I must admit, I felt a sense of relief. It was enjoyable to watch Laura and Katie take off while Marlowe and I relaxed in the cool shade.

I was eager to see how Laura and Katie would fare on their return—especially since Katie isn't the most confident flyer either. Nevertheless, both were thrilled and couldn’t stop raving about the breathtaking sights. I promise myself that one day I’ll muster the courage to try it myself 😉

Afterward, we ventured out to a ‘veggie shack’ for lunch. I had done my homework on nearly every restaurant option across all the islands before the trip (as I always do)—but unfortunately, the owners of my chosen place were on vacation, and we were disappointed to find it closed. Fortunately, there were plenty of other nearby ‘veggie shacks’ within walking distance. We found one, ordered a variety of dishes, and enjoyed a picnic-style meal. After that, we strolled back toward the port, indulged in some shopping (Marlowe and I both picked out dresses), enjoyed some coconuts, and joyfully discovered an abundance of passionfruit along with some mango ice cream. Antigua was fantastic, vibrant with color and the friendliest people.