Caribbean Journal

• Mar 18 - 19, 2005
• Mar 20, 2005
• Mar 21 - 23, 2005
• Mar 24, 2005
• Mar 25, 2005
• Mar 26, 2005

March 21, 2005

S/V Polynesia

Randall looked like warmed-over death this morning. He has a sinus infection. I think I'm the only one on board with allergy medicines. I did the Flo Nightingale bit, and he's on the mend.

I'm meeting all kinds of guys and renewing old acquaintances. Andy is on the cruise again this year. We had a nice chat. Seth and I talked at some length about GNI, etc. I'm afraid I talked his ear off, which was not my intention. Alex and I, of course, had several conversations.

We just had breakfast. I ate with Gary and Jim. Some interesting local color: Kelty from Louisville, KY. Non-stop know-it-all. I met another couple last night, Milton and David. I'm guessing they are in their sixties. This cruise has many hoary men, including yours truly. Some of the men are pretty scary. I am sometimes ambivalent about this gay thing. We're an (oppressed...) minority defined by where we stick our penises. And some of these guys behave dreadfully, and I'm afraid I'm growing into it.

Destin, the ship photographer

Well, I have my snorkel equipment, and I bought yet another beach towel. The dive mate had lined all the snorkelers up on deck, then ignored us. Tim (after 30 minutes of waiting) politely insisted that the snorkelers needed to be served. The mate agreed, so I got a mask, fins, and vest. I'm excited!

I later had a conversation with Tim about growing old ungracefully. You can see, it's on my mind....

March 23, 2005

We're off the coast of Nevis. We've been sailing most of the night from Anguilla. The last two days have been wonderful. I've had a great time on and off the ship.

Day before yesterday, we were supposed to spend time on Prickly Pear, but the waves on the beach were too high to permit us to land. So we stayed on ship and went over to Anguilla for a short afternoon on the beach. The landing provided much drama (like three approaches to the beach).

International Provocateurs/Security Risks giving Nevis a salute.

NEWS FLASH! Today's news: our ship was denied entry to Nevis because we are a security threat. Nevis and St. Kitts flag has already been hauled down, and I expect that there will be considerable publicity in the US gay travel industry. The guys were upset, but are now gaily sunning themselves.