Travel We watched with never-ending fascination as riggers climbed the masts, nimble as trapeze artists, to work on the furling gear. (The tallest mast is 69 metres high.) Secured with staff-monitored tethers and safety vests, adventurous passengers can climb to the 23-metre-high crow’s nest. The views of the ship below and islands on the horizon were worth the vertigo. We were tempted to shout: “Land ahoy!” Our next destination was Soper’s Hole on Tortola. Although it’s the largest island in the British Virgin Islands, it is only 16 kilometres long and four kilometres wide. We took a taxi to Sage Mountain National Park. At a height of 524 metres, Sage Mountain is the loftiest peak in the Virgin Islands (U.S. and British). The road climbed steeply in hairpin turns along the mountain’s verdant flanks, offering enticing glimpses of golden beaches, turquoise bays and amethyst islands. After hiking past giant bullet wood trees and enormous elephant ear philodendron vines, we met a Tortola resident who showed us some small, tart fruits that he called cocoplums. Back on the ship, we met other passengers who had visited Pusser’s Road Town Pub & Company Store to imbibe Pusser’s Painkillers, sold in #2, #3 and #4 strengths, based on their rum content. The party continued after dinner, with dancing on the deck to vibrant calypso music played by a local steel band brought on board for the evening. On the final day after breakfast, everyone gathered on deck as we approached the Dutch-and-French island St. Maarten/St. Martin, our final port of call. To our surprise, we turned out to be the object of everyone’s attention, as passengers from other cruise ships in the port ran out to take pictures of our majestic square-rigger. The Star Flyer’s scenic coach transfer to the airport began with free time in Philipsburg for shopping and seeing the sights, such as the historic courthouse built in 1793. The tour then continued past red hibiscus flowers, Oyster Pond hotels with outdoor patio umbrellas and Orient Bay’s clothing-optional beach. After arriving in Marigot, we had an hour to enjoy the shops and art galleries before continuing our drive along beautiful Cupecoy Beach to the airport in time for our flights home. Bird’s-eye views Post-cruise in St. Maarten/St. Martin Bird's-eye view of the Star Flyer Holding cocoplums Cupecoy Beach, St. Maarten/St. Martin Oyster Pond hotels overlook bay 28 | www.snowbirds.org
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