Days 13-18: Days at sea, Devil's Island, and Trinidad

Days 13-15:

Nothing happened.

Day 16: Cruising around Devil's Island (French Guiana)

The cruise itinerary called for "Devil's Island Scenic Cruising", which means that we didn't actually stop at Devil's Island, but cruised around it.  Devil's Island is the French penal colony made famous in the movie Papillion.  We actually cruised around a group of 3 islands (Ile Royale, Ile Saint-Joseph and Ile du Diable (Devil's Island).

Map of the islands

Ile Royale and Ile Saint-Joseph (Devil's Island is hidden)

Devil's Island, in the middle, between Ile Royale and Ile Saint-Joseph

Day 17: Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

Today, we docked at Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago (country #141).  We arranged for a private tour around Port of Spain.  Despite the name "Port of Spain", Trinidad and Tobago was a British Colony for most of its colonial existence.

Welcome to Trinidad

Trinidad and Tobago is the second wealthiest country (behind the Bahamas) in the Caribbean.  Most of their money comes from oil and gas, and Port of Spain is a relatively prosperous city.

Port of Spain, as seen from the ship

Hotels near the dock

A residential block in Port of Spain

Near the center of town are a series of well-preserved colonial mansions, known as the Magnificent Seven.

Queens Royal College

Hayes Court

Archbishop's Palace

Stollmeyer's Castle

Queen's Park Savannah, a large park in the middle of town

Government House

National Academy for the Performing Arts 

Downtown shopping district

Holy Trinity Cathedral

Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

Inside the Basilica

Stained glass in the Basilica

From downtown, we headed up into the hills surrounding Port of Spain

More housing in the city

Central Port of Spain as seen from the hills

Along the coast

Hillside housing

We were also supposed to go to a beach on the other side of the island, but I was coming down with what turned out to be a mild case of the flu (not coronavirus), so instead we headed back to the ship.

Goodbye Trinidad!

Days 17-18: At Sea

Nothing happened.

Next: Days 19-20--Barbados and Antigua

Days 11-12: At sea and Salvador de Bahia

Day 11: At Sea

Nothing happened

Day 12: Salvador de Bahia, Brazil

Today's stop was in Salvador de Bahia (or just Salvador), the largest city in northeast Brazil.  It was founded in 1549, and is one of the oldest colonial cities in America.  We took a combined driving/walking tour around the city.

Our first stop was at Praia do Rio Vermelho, a beach area on the southern coast.

On the coast at Praia do Rio Vermelho

We then headed back to the center of the town, passing some good and bad neighborhoods.

On the way, we passed by Dique_do_Tororo, a lake containing sculptures of African dieties (orixas).

Soccer stadium built for 2014 World Cup

Our next destination was the colonial section, in the upper part of town, accessible by car and elevator from the lower part of town.

Palacio Rio Branco

View over lower town to the bay

Another view over the lower town

Elevator (on the right) to the lower town.  The elevator was built in 1873.

In the colonial area

Part of the Church and Convent of Sao Francisco

Inside the Church and Convent of Sao Francisco

Inside the Church and Convent of Sao Francisco

Inside the Church and Convent of Sao Francisco

Cathedral of Salvador

View from the upper town

After returning to the ship, we departed Salvador, but not before a rain shower gave us a great rainbow.

View of Salvador from the ship

I got some good shots as the ship left the cruise terminal.

View of Salvador from the bay

Days 13-18: Days at sea, Devil's Island, and Trinidad