Selbourne ‘Live’ from Aurora’s 2024 Grand Tour

[Eddie99]

Hurrah!  A great day!  Lovely pics

The ABC islands. - Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao - have a reputation as among the best Caribbean calls.  Let’s hope Aruba is good for you too.  I think I’ve only been there once, and found it a bit Disney, a lot US.  However, I’m hoping that, as well as the commercialisation, there will be easy access for you and Lady S.  I have no memory of kerb heights etc.  Lots of iguanas, and an apartment or hotel complex where you can sail your yacht straight in

Enjoy today and Get Well Soon!

[Gettingwarmer]

4 hours ago, Selbourne said:

Tomorrow Aruba

Turn right and walk along the front past the hotel with the bay in front over the little bridge ( you can feed the fish with bread from here). Carry on as far as you like then turn left and return through the town. 

[Beckett]

Finally, a good day for you both @Selbourne. What a wonderfully colourful port. It looks clean too. Thanks once again for your continued reviews - I'm pretty sure they are the morning 'go to' for a lot of us now. I hope you start to feel better soon. Best wishes. Jane xx

[pennib]

We prefer Curacao to Aruba as the latter is quite busy especially the Main Street which is dual carriageway. From memory you should be fine with the wheelchair but try to avoid the bars on the main street as they fleece you for a couple of beers. It is not at all like some of the British islands in that respect. We snorkelled off the beach with all the big hotels and I complained as it was frankly dangerous with pieces of metal poking out from the wrecks. Anyway it is another off the bucket list.

thanks again for all your great blogs

 

 

[Guest]

Curacao looks gorgeous! Cant wait to be there myself in a couple of weeks on Britannia.

 

side note: I was meant to be on Valiant Lady right now! I was booked to sail on her out of Miami down to Tortola/St Croix/Bahamas/DR. However it was cancelled! Their new ship (Brilliant Lady) has been delayed in the shipyard so Valiant took up her itineraries out of Puerto Rico down to the Southern Caribbean. 

[bbtablet]

We did a glass-bottomed trip once and afterwards everyone was commenting on the fantastic colours - all except my wife who thought it was nothing special. Then she realised she had had her dark sunglasses on the whole time! Doh!

[Malcolm142]

Selbourne, thanks for writing up your excellent blog on a regular basis.

I have taken an extra interest, especially in ship matters, as we are on Aurora in two cruises time to Norway. We have not been on Aurora but did go on Oriana 25 years ago.

 

So 1000 plus replies to your ‘Letter from’, How many will it be by the time you get back

to Southampton?!!

 

As an aside, do you still get a free cake with coffee at Raffle

[TigerB]

Another great report, thanks.👍🏻

 

Yes, we both really like Curacao and Aruba; I seem to recall that Oranjestad was a little more commercialised, with more traffic, but still very accessible.  I can't remember the history of the blue horses in Oranjestad, though.

[TigerB]

7 hours ago, Selbourne said:

 

Have you any such ladies on your cruise?🤔🤭

[Selbourne]

Just now, Malcolm142 said:

I have taken an extra interest, especially in ship matters, as we are on Aurora in two cruises time to Norway.

That particular itinerary looks absolutely fabulous. Best Norway itinerary I’ve seen in a long time. 
 

 

Just now, Malcolm142 said:

As an aside, do you still get a free cake with coffee at Raffle

Yes, until around 5pm when they clear them away. 

[Bill Y]

8 hours ago, Selbourne said:

Day 35 - Tuesday 6th February - Willemstad, Curacao, Dutch Antilles

 

Yet again another poor nights sleep due to my sore throat and the air conditioning not working properly at night. I don’t feel ill, but my sore throat is painful when I swallow, especially late afternoon and all evening. In desperation I have now started taking the spare course of antibiotics that my GP gave me for something else, but I’d held back on using as that condition was easing. However, Dr Google informed me that the same antibiotics are also used for throat and chest infections, so nothing ventured….

 

After breakfast we collected our Britain Yesterday papers and then headed up to Deck 13 to assess the lay of the land. Before heading out on deck I popped in to the Crows Nest and Library to see if the air con had been fixed and it has. At last. However, from what @Mollag has found out, it might be a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul, and deck 11 (where we live) may be Peter 😥 

 

We had berthed right in the town centre, which means that we came through the Queen Emma floating swing bridge. We shall enjoy going back out through that later. We are berthed between the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge and the Queen Juliana fixed bridge, which is the highest bridge in the Caribbean. 

 

We had already established a very favourable opinion of Willemstad before even leaving the ship, but this opinion only strengthened as we explored the town. What a beauty. It still has all the lovely colourful buildings that are common throughout the Caribbean, but they are all in immaculate condition. 

 

We first crossed the Queen Emma bridge and explored Punda, the older part of town. We walked along the waterfront past the stalls (no Venezuelan floating market any more - that appears to have been a casualty of Covid) and looked at the development area in Scharloo (over a smaller bridge) before spending some time in the market. We enjoyed this. It’s inside a large round  building and the market encircles the outer ring with two walkways. We did two laps and actually bought a gift to take back. I failed miserably with my bartering. I tried every trick in the book, including walking away, all to no avail. I eventually had to return later, tail between my legs, and pay top dollar. It was only $20 but there’s a principe at stake here 😂 I then remembered the port presenter saying about one place we were going that they won’t haggle and are offended by it. Maybe that was here 😳

 

We zig-zagged around the the shopping areas before heading back across the Queen Emma bridge. As we started walking across the alarm sounded and the bridge starting swinging open. People were rushing to the end to jump the ever growing gap, but this is not advisable when pushing a wheelchair. Although 🤔😂

 

As it was only a small boat passing through, they only opened it half way to let the boat through and then started closing it again. We enjoyed the experience which, for countless Health & Safety reasons would never be allowed at home. We then explored the Otrobanda side of town which is just as nice. Again, waterside traders leading up to Rif Fort which, although old, has been developed into shops, bars, restaurants and outdoor entertainment space. It’s all been done really well. We walked out the other side into the park which leads up to the modern cruise port. 

 

We both agreed that this had been a highlight port and, best of all, it was brilliant with a wheelchair as well. 

 

Back on the ship for a spot of lunch before I headed off again to go on the Seaworld Explorer Glass Bottom boat excursion. This entailed a mini bus taxi to a really idyllic beach hotel from where we boarded our boat. The captain was quite miserable and never smiled, but our host was great and made it fun. I was quite relieved that it was a short trip as we were swaying around a lot and much longer might have made me feel queasy. We saw lots of coral and plenty of fish, big and small, but not the array of colours I was expecting and, sadly, no turtles. I was still glad that I didn’t though as it was an experience. 

 

Back on the ship we went for an afternoon cuppa in Raffles prior to taking up positions on our balcony for the sail away. As we had parked facing inland we had to reverse all the way out of the town centre, through the opened pontoon bridge, swing around the side of Virgin’s Valiant Lady (which looks very smart) and then out to sea. We tend to stay on our balcony until it’s dark (and sometimes beyond) and it’s weird how the temperature doesn’t seem to drop at night in these parts. 

 

Dinner in the MDR was pretty good. The Serrano Ham & Poached Pear starter with Gorgonzola is always very nice. None of the mains grabbed me, so I took a gamble on the mixed grill and it was ok and something different to what I’d usually choose. We both had the cherry cheesecake with Armarena cherries, which I’m pleased to say had the proper cherries this time. 

 

At 10pm we went to the Headliners show ‘Applause’, which we have always found to be the best Headliner show and tonight was no exception. It’s back to back hits from well known musicals rather than the usual silly story lines and, best of all, a huge ‘Les Miserables’ section at the end. As this is my favourite musical there was some trepidation that they might murder a track or two but in fairness they didn’t. Quite a show and an excellent way to end a cracking day. Tomorrow Aruba. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your pictures bring back so many memories. Looking at your pictures I think that you found the Venezuelan “floating” market, it was never what most people thought of as a “floating” market at least for ten years, just stalls on the quayside and the Venezuelan boats that brought the produce moored behind them. 

The swing bridge opening reminded us of a time in December The Christmas lights were on, we had a mid evening sailing so a lot of people went ashore to see the lights, as we crossed back across the bridge the bells began to ring, we got back before the bridge began to swing but when it started people were still on the bridge, it was about half an hour before the all aboard time and people started to panic so people were clambering across the hinge section, The ferry started to operate but it was no use to people still on the bridge. The bridge eventually swung back and I think everyone made it back to the ship. There were probably queues for the laundry.

Edited February 7 by Bill Y

[DamianG]

On 2/6/2024 at 9:56 AM, P&O SUE said:

Interesting to hear about the air conditioning issues as I’ve been watching YouTube videos on Aurora as I’m going on her for the first time at Easter. This was a new year cruise and they were so uncomfortably hot in an inside cabin they eventually got another cabin. They even slept with their cabin door open one night!!

I hope we don’t get that, it will be unbearable. Our cabin is a sea view one and I did wonder about bidding for a balcony upgrade but the price is quite high!

 

Indeed, we watched the same recent Aurora vlog with all the air conditioning issues and I was going to mention it here. The worse part was the constant reassurances that it had been fixed when it clearly hadn't.

[DamianG]

Thanks again @Selbourne for your continuing efforts in posting this fascinating blog. Your latest thoughts and pictures from Curacao certainly brought back some very happy memories from our visit there albeit it was a long time ago now.

 

I used to regularly get a sore throat after a short while on cruises until we got into the habit of not having the air con in the cabin on the very lowest setting. That was suggested on Cruise Critic and seems to have worked for us even if it does sound somewhat unscientific, and I appreciate that your symptoms appear to be far worse. I also appreciate that it may appear somewhat ironic suggesting not having the air con at the lowest setting given all the temperature issues around the ship, but it maybe worth a try if all else fails.

 

Wishing you a speedy recovery and that your Curacao visit sets the tone for the remainder of your cruise.

 

Best regards

 

Damian

[Selbourne]

Today’s MDR menus

[Selbourne]

Just now, DamianG said:

I also appreciate that it may appear somewhat ironic suggesting not having the air con at the lowest setting given all the temperature issues around the ship, but it maybe worth a try if all else fails.

Ironically, my worst nights were when the air con wasn’t working properly at night and I was too warm. I’ve been better on nights when it’s been much cooler!

[Cruising Nomads]

What you have to remember is that Curacao is one of the Dutch Antilles Islands and a lot of the money for the inferstuctor costs is provided by the EU.

[Megabear2]

6 minutes ago, Cruising Nomads said:

What you have to remember is that Curacao is one of the Dutch Antilles Islands and a lot of the money for the inferstuctor costs is provided by the EU.

Yes, same with all ABC islands although Bonaire is slightly different being actually run directly from The Hague. As a result it faired far better during the pandemic. Aruba, in particular, suffered as all its eggs are currently in the tourism basket and hence the "Miami" hotel vibe many comment on.

[Mollag]

On 2/6/2024 at 7:28 AM, Selbourne said:

Same now. Glasshouse always nice and cool, as is the pub (not that we use the latter). The theatre is usually OK. Only been to Carmens a few times and that’s generally been alright, as is most of the Meridian restaurant. 
 

The lifts and stairwells are unbearable. When I went to pick my wife up from the show last night, someone in the lift mentioned that the Crows Nest had been fixed. I’ll check later, but @Mollag had heard that to do that they were going to divert AC from the forward stair well. Our cabin is just off that and I’m wondering if that might explain why our cabin is now not cooling as well as it did. 

Sorry to hear you’re still feeling ropey yesterday was the first day after 8 days I wasn’t coughing so maybe the ends in sight for you🤞

I can confirm the A/C is now working to a fashion in the Crows Nest which is comfortable enough but like you say the forward stairwell is pretty warm🥵

just read a couple of pages of your blog and agree with you about the repetitive nature of the menus now making it difficult to find something at times. 
I would also like to comment on the state of the ship which is very poor with rust nearly everywhere you look and doesn’t seem to be much in the way of maintenance going on

 

 

[Mollag]

6 hours ago, Malcolm142 said:

Selbourne, thanks for writing up your excellent blog on a regular basis.

I have taken an extra interest, especially in ship matters, as we are on Aurora in two cruises time to Norway. We have not been on Aurora but did go on Oriana 25 years ago.

 

So 1000 plus replies to your ‘Letter from’, How many will it be by the time you get back

to Southampton?!!

 

As an aside, do you still get a free cake with coffee at Raffle

At the moment you get the free cake but according to the staff in there charges will be starting soon

[doog442]

1 hour ago, Cruising Nomads said:

What you have to remember is that Curacao is one of the Dutch Antilles Islands and a lot of the money for the inferstuctor costs is provided by the EU.

 

That's interesting thanks. We were in Martinique last week and likewise I thought it was very up together on our tour compared to some of the other Islands we have visited. Excellent roads, public transport etc, very clean and tidy, very reminiscent of Southern France in relation to housing, architecture etc. They've also had significant EU funding it appears.

 

 https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/in-your-country/programmes/2014-2020/fr/2014fr16m0op011_en

 

 

 

 

[Selbourne]

 

Day 36 - Wednesday 7th February - Oranjestad, Aruba, Dutch Antilles 

 

I had a much better nights sleep at last. I hardly woke during the night, which saved me the coughing fits every time I turned over. 

 

We had already docked in Oranjestad by the time we woke. Once again we have struck lucky and we are on the right side for the best outlook, overlooking Oranjestad and Aruba rather than the sea. We had got fed up waiting for the laundry offer to re-appear (we’ve had it just once in 35 days) so filled a bag of 10 items for £32 (less loyalty discount) and handed them to our steward. If they eventually do the ‘buy one bag get the other half price’ offer again we still have enough to take advantage of it!

 

As the forecast was for showers, we headed ashore soon after breakfast. It was a bit of a trek to the port exit, but we were soon in the town centre. As others have said, Aruba is quite different from Curacao. Far more US influenced and, as a result, is less authentic. The main drag along the front looks like a US main street but has a curious mix of tourist tat on one side and very high end brands on the other. The blend of swanky hotels with large indoor / outdoor water features, casinos and designer shops is very ‘Vegas’. 

 

I had a near miss when walking through one high end mall, when I saw the distinctive duck egg colour of Tiffany & Co. Thankfully the window vinyls proclaimed ‘Coming Soon’ 😂. We had a good walk around and I was interested to see that there were tram lines through the town centre, but we only saw one tram and that was a tourist one. Never the less, nice to see it. 

 

Having seen most of what appeared to be worth seeing, we slowly meandered back to the ship - although not as slowly as some folk. Why is it that the slower that people walk, the greater the width of pavement that they occupy and the more oblivious they become to those behind them who wish to pass?😡 We managed to get back just as a few spots of rain started, but nothing came of it. Although cloudy all day, the humidity was something else 🥵

 

The MDR menus for both lunch and dinner left us both cold today, so we went to the Glasshouse for lunch. As is often the case, it was a private dining event with us being the only diners! We’ve got to know some of the staff in there quite well as a result! I had the sea bass with prawns in curried broth again and it was superb. I’ve barely touched any alcohol since I’ve had this bad throat, but decided to have a glass of Money Spider and, whilst I enjoyed it, my throat didn’t and it seemed to spark off my late afternoon / evening sore throat a few hours early. 

 

We went for a hot drink in Raffles before returning to the cabin to read and relax prior to departure. In the evening we went to the MDR and we both enjoyed our starters (my wife had mussels and I had Goulash soup - I’ve been having soups a fair bit as they are soothing with a sore throat). Neither of us enjoyed our mains. My wife had Gnocchi, which she described as ‘gluey’ and I had pheasant, which didn't come with the advertised Calvados cream, just a smear of a flavourless gravy. Thankfully our puds of rice pudding and apple crumble were both good. 

 

The biggest disappointment of all was that my sore throat was back to how it was 2 nights ago. My hope that having had a better nights sleep might mean that it was waning was clearly misplaced, and may have been as much to do with a cumulative lack of peaceful sleep over the previous nights. It’s a sea day tomorrow so with rest, avoiding any alcohol, and another day into the course of antibiotics I hope that I might start to turn a corner.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 8 by Selbourne

[brian1]

19 hours ago, TigerB said:

 

Have you any such ladies on your cruise?🤔🤭

Look for the ping pong balls.

[P&O SUE]

Oh no Selbourne I hope the sore throat isn’t getting worse again.

Pleased you had a good sleep though, that always makes things feel better.

[Ukulele girl]

Thank you for making my morning routine so enjoyable. I sit with my large coffee and your musings to start the day and am loving it. Perhaps you could continue when you get home!

 

As I have said before my sister and husband are aboard with you all. They are part of the table tennis crowd so I have asked about the door decoration and will report back when I hear from her later today.

 

As a retired secondary school teacher and veteran of sore throats and winter coughs I appreciate your frustration at the ongoing problem you have. The doctor always recommended gargling with soluble aspirin, unpleasant but helpful. For the cough, breathing steam helps to lubricate the cilia which will help with the tickle. Coughing knocks the droplets of moisture off the cilia and then it's a vicious circle. I do hope you are better soon.

 

Wet, windy and cold here and I am coughing non stop so off to breath steam!

 

 'Cilia, tiny muscular, hair-like projections on the cells that line the airway, are one of the respiratory system's defence mechanisms.

[Purdey16]

Loving the photos Selbourne all the lovely colours of the buildings, glad you’ve had a good couple of stops now but I hope your throat gets better soon so you can lubricate it a bit more  with some  Rioja or more money spider 😁