It’s our first visit to this port. I originally set up a
private catamaran snorkel trip that looked like a fantastic day, but the
operator stopped responding so I contacted the group and explained that we
probably need to find other things to do here. So, I opted for a land tour. A
couple of weeks ago out of the blue the boat tour people emailed to ask why
they hadn’t heard from me. I emailed many times (directly and through their
website with no replies) Could be a good reason for their computer glitches (or
email returning abilities), but I had already set up a land tour and gathered a
group.
Trunos was very responsive and helpful with emails. http://www.frasertaxitours.com/our-tours/ I set up 2 vans here. Trunos said he had 2 vans and hoped I
could fill them both. So, fill them I did! Our tour was Fort Charlotte, Botanical Gardens, Vermont Nature Trail,
Pirates of the Caribbean set.
We woke to rain and it stayed that way most of the day. We
walked out to meet the guide in the rain out of the terminal. The driver of one
of the vans was waiting for us, but Fraser wasn’t there yet. In fact, he was a
half hour late (or more). He said making our lunch took longer than he expected
and just that extra 5 or 10 minutes caught him up in traffic. One couple
decided they didn’t want to wait and they just left. They didn’t even come tell
me. Apparently, they had complaints on someone’s tour the day before
complaining about everything, so just as well they left. With the rain it was a
bit of day….
We were joined by Trish & Gary and David & Cheri
and the other van had Jan & Phil, Linda & Gordon and Heather
& Matt. Trish & Gary split up so we could spread out in the vans.
After seeing the weather conditions, I was super glad that
the snorkel & sailboat tour did not work out.
After our guide arrived we got in our respective vans and
headed to Fort Charlotte. Unfortunately, the rain persisted so we didn’t get to
really explore the fort but used it for shelter more than anything. Trunos said
that he would delay the Vermont Nature Trail and the Botanical gardens to see
if it would stop raining. So, we made some stops along the way and he said if
it stopped we could go back for the trails or at least the Botanical Gardens. 
Yellow-bellied Elaenia
through the van window
We stopped at a viewpoint that was actually on the roof of a man's house.
We then drove to another viewpoint.
We drove to the Waillilabou Bay to the movie set where the
Pirates of the Caribbean movie where much of the movie was filmed. They were on
the island twice since they filmed the sequels 2 & 3 at the same time. We
stopped for some refreshment at the bar there and Greg tried the local beer.
Gordon, Linda, Heather, Matt, Trish, Gary, Annette, Greg, Cheri, David
the slab is the roof of the house
Gordon, Linda, Trish, Gary, Heather, Matt, Annette, Greg, Cheri, David
The rain persisted on and off all day. Trunos said let’s
skip the hiking trail and we went to a waterfall and restaurant among the rain
forest. We were to have our lunch down by the waterfall, but since it was
raining, the guide asked if we could sit under their shelter, so he laid out a
buffet of all the foods he and his wife made for us. There was fish, chicken, pork,
corn on the cob, vegetables, pigeon peas, rice, plantains of 2 different kinds
and drinks. All of it was very good. What a treat to have their home-cooked
meal. It seemed to be a hit with everyone with desert of sweet mangos.
Not the best of weather for touring, but it is a lovely
island. We all said let’s just go back to the ship.
The entertainment tonight was Karen Granger a
singer/impressionist. We have seen her before and she is a very fun performer. 
Brown Booby
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