Viking Cruises

38 | Viking Explorer Society News There is nothing ordinary about a trip to the Caribbean. It is a journey in colour, from the golden sands to powder blue seas and pink sunsets. I've realised that nothing brings the captivating world of rainforests, local culture and breathtaking beaches to life better than a voyage that lets you explore several beautiful islands on one trip. On our 11-day West Indies Explorer voyage, we visited nine different islands, each with its own unique flavor and rich culture. For those who seek a bit of adventure or relaxation, there is no better part of the Caribbean to dive into than the West Indies. Exploring these sun-splashed islands is a romantic journey through history, from the Latin influences of San Juan in Puerto Rico to the modern dynamism of Barbados, which transitioned to a republic within the Commonwealth only two years ago. The islands of Saint Kitts, Dominica and Saint Lucia remain blissfully local, secretive and low-key. Our voyage began and ended in San Juan and curved southeast through nine counties in the Lesser Antilles. Whether you are most interested in sun, sea, sand, snorkeling or rainforest hikes, this is an itinerary that has it all. We enjoyed a walking tour of Old San Juan and admired the impressive 16th-century El Morro Fortress as well as Fort San Cristóbal, the largest fortress built by Spain in the New World. Our ship then sailed east to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). The BVI is comprised of more than 50 islands, and one of the most favoured excursions here is a visit to the Baths of Virgin Gorda. These natural baths were formed by huge boulders along the shore, which created a tiny paradise of coves and sea caves ideal for swimming and snorkeling—conditions permitting, of course. The following day we reached St. Kitts & Nevis, one of my favourite ports on this itinerary. The island is blessed with unspoiled vistas and black volcanic sand beaches. Yet my highlight was a ride on the historic railroad that dates to 1912. The St. Kitts Scenic Railway is more antiquated than the trains you may be used to. It travels along narrow-gauge tracks, trundling around the island's volcanic core and past former sugar plantations and old mills, delivering a sharp history lesson on Saint Kitts's centuries-old sugar trade. It's the most fun on the open air top deck, where we admired views of the neighbouring isles of Saint Eustatius, Saba and Nevis. The 48km trip is a stirring introduction to the island's history and how the locals live here today. The next morning, we arrived in Castries in Saint Lucia, home of the legendary Pitons, the country's twin volcanic peaks that are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On our itinerary, there were multiple shore excursions offered to see the Pitons in Soufrière Bay, an area so photogenic couldn't help but catch my breath when I first saw it. These two pyramid-shaped mountains seemingly rising from the Caribbean Sea are a sight to behold. As they came into view, I heard the "oohs" and "ahhs" from my fellow guests. My optional excursion was a roundtrip catamaran ride down the west coast of the island, past the hotels fringing Castries and dreamy Marigot Bay, which was so delightfully perfect, with a beautiful stretch of beach and a yacht-filled marina. You will feel a tug of sadness when you move on from the view. A voyage through the islands of the West Indies was a life‑affirming experience for travel journalist Mike MacEacheran. Caribbean HISTORY & CULTURE

• Cover