Polynesia Windjammer Cruise, August 1996

We just arrived back in Dallas on Sunday night late, I'm still rocking a bit
and Amazing Grace is ringing in my ears. I can say that the trip on the Poly
was without a doubt the best vacation we have ever taken. I did quite a bit
of se aching the net for information on WJ and the Poly before I went. I had
very high expectations and knew pretty well what to expect. Through my
searching, I made several friends on the net, including some here in Dallas
before I left. I must say the this trip met and far exceeded every
expectation I had! I have come back relaxed and so happy. This was our first
WJ trip of many to come.

We arrived in Saint Maarten on Saturday night about 930pm. Our taxi driver
from the airport was a very nice 76 year old man who remembered us when we
met again the next day in Marigot. We stayed the first night at the Holland
House Beach Hotel on Front Street in Phillipsburg. This was a wonderful
place, and very close to Captain Hodges Wharf (about 300 feet). When we woke
in the morning, we could see the Polynesia at anchor in Great Bay, a
beautiful sight. i really recommend staying in Saint Maarten at least 1 night
before and after your trip. The island is beautiful and this is the cheapest
shopping you will see on the whole trip. We bought about 20 Shirts (for next
to nothing) and a few other souvenirs. We took or luggage to the Wharf at
about 530pm on Sunday where we met Wally from the ship waiting for us. We
took the next launch and spent the night on the ship. There was a buffet
supper, and afterwards we had a party on the quarterdeck with a limbo dancer
and folk singer. I tried the limbo and made it ok the first two trips but
ended up 'bottoms up' on the third go round. Thanks to quite a few rum
swizzles, I landed very softly!

Most passengers stayed the stowaway night but a few arrived on Monday. We
sailed for the first time at about 1pm on Monday. We arrived at a quiet cove
off St Barths at about 5pm, in time for a nice swim off the side of the
ship. The next morning, we the short sail around to Gustavia, where the
Fantome was already at anchor. We highly recommend to rent a Moke or
Samurai, as this is really the best way to see the island. Don't miss the
airport. It is really amazing, because it has a mountain at one end and the
ocean at the other end of the runway. We explored almost every road on this
island, putting over 240 KM on our tired little Moke. We made a few beaches
for a swim, including some of the topless ones :-) Good French Wine (if you
are into wine...) is really cheap here.  Everyone bought a bottle of wine in
town and later, the Polynesia  passengers were invited onboard the Fantome
for a wine and cheese party and dancing at sunset. 

The next island was St Kitts. We took the island tour in the morning for $12.
Our driver was Augus, who took us for a short shopping trip at the Circus.
We bought some lace runners for our tables, a few dolls and more T-shirts.
The we went to look at some Caribe indian carving in the rocks and tour the
Batik Factory. This is a really pretty place and you'll see it if you take
the rain forest tour also. From there, we went to the Fortress at Brimstone
Hill. This is on the top of a mountain and the views are really spectacular.
The fortress itself is really cool and very large. If you go here. be warned
it is a long steep climb to the top. In the afternoon, We took a snorkeling
Safari where we saw a sea turtle, lots of fish and a 17th century shipwreck
(a few timbers and a lot of imagination).  This trip was cut short when
Betty (our new Poly friend from Dallas) fell on the dive boat and cracked
her head. She required a few stitches at the St Kitts hospital but she was
OK. 

It was a long sail to Anguilla. This is a long flat reef island. There is not
any commercial tourism to speak of here, which makes for a nice quite
place. We spent the morning on the beach where we met a local man named
Calvin. He took us in his boat  to Little Bay in the afternoon for some
really fantastic snorkeling. We took over the local beach bar in the
evening for a beach party and more dancing. Curtis, the bartender from the
Poly, provided the music and he is really a good singer, lots of Caribbean
and Limbo music.

Our last stop was on Prickly Pear Island, where we spent an entire day on the
beach in the sun. This is a deserted Island with the best snorkeling of our
trip. The reefs and fish are very beautiful. There were more colorful fish
here than anywhere else we swam. This island is good for exploring, but be
sure and take a good pair of hiking shoes because the rocks are very sharp.
Also remember lots of sunscreen. The Caribbean sun is very intense. 

We had many great parties including the P-Party, and the Captains Dinner. In
fact every night was a party of some kind. We sometimes got a bit loud but
no-one seemed to mind. Captain Guyan, his mates Jim, Peter & Simon, Lisa
(the Julie of the Poly) and rest of the crew were all really really great
fun and great help.
 
When we arrived back in St Maarten on Saturday, we slept late. Later we had
our last meal with our new friends at the Lunch buffet and went ashore. A
group of 6 of us, went shopping on Front Street again for last minute
souvenirs. My wife and I bought new wedding rings ( after 7 years, the first
ones were way small) and I also bought her a diamond tennis bracelet. The
prices for jewellery are very good in Saint Maarten, but be sure and do some
comparison shopping in the states before you leave.That evening, we had a
very nice dinner at an Indonesian Rajstafel restaurant on Front Street
called The Wajang Doll. Be sure and make reservations, because this is well
worth it. The Rjjstafel is the Indonesian Feast of the Gods. Sort of a
sampling of about 24 authentic dishes. This is only open from 6:45 to 10 pm
Monday-Saturday, but easy to find right at the end of Front Street.

On Sunday Morning before we left, we took a short swim in the ocean and did
more shopping (an addiction). The flight home left at 2:36  and I must say
we boarded reluctantly. Although this vacation is not for everyone, and I
would not suggest it to everyone, (If you are looking for luxury this is not
for you.) I am forever a Windjammer fan I will never again take a 'cruise
on one of the BIG ships. Windjammers are the perfect vacation for a casual
relaxed atmosphere. We met everyone on the ship and plan to stay in touch
with quite a few of them. In fact we are already planning a reuinion  for
the Dallas WJ's and maybe even our next trip together.  I hear the Fantome
is moving to be based in Cancun later this year.

The Poly is a beautiful ship with wood everywhere and lots of open space on
the upper deck for sunning. The best advice I have is to take a Bungee cord,
since the shower handles are spring loaded an turn off when you let go of
them. The cabins are small but comfortable, we did'nt really spend much time
there. Be sure and sleep out on deck at least one night. The sails and the
Stars above at night are simply amazing, the feeling is breathtaking! 

If you have any other questions, I'll be happy to help however I can.