Today, we opted for a tour-free day and instead disembarked in St. Johns for a stroll through town and a little shopping.
We walked the High Street, enjoying a marvelous show of color as we watched dancers bedecked in costumes which reflect their mix of African, Creole and Native American heritage. The drums are pure rhythm, the dance mesmerizing.
We head on to look for some unique finds, and at first, I think this is just more of the same bad mass-market jewelry, beach sarongs that clearly won't survive their first wash, kitchen magnets and ash trays.
Fortune is with me, and I come across Cattleya, a Boutique just along the right side of Heritage Quay as you walk through the gates from port.
This brand new shop is loaded with lovely designer fashions from all over the world. A new sweater from Milan is just coming out of it's package when I try it on, and fall in love! I find a stylish ivory top to finish off my new formal night couture on the Adventure of the Seas, and add a couple of scarves and a great necklace to finish off the experience. Some items are pricey, but the purveyors have a great eye - everything is lovely, and there are fashions from modern to classic and casual to formal - something here for every lady who happens by!
It is wonderful to listen to locals stop in to chat and wish them well, and wish them God' Blessings which is a standard here in this largely Christian country. What a pleasure to hear everyone planning Christmas next week!
We walked on a little further, and hung a left, and then a right into an alley, where we came across Silverado. Again, a boutique loaded with hand-hewn pieces, and two ladies running the shop who are not hard-selling anyone, nor do they have to, because their prices are unbelievable for solid sterling crafted into so many treasures I need half an hour to whittle down my selections, and finally settle on a lovely 2 sided locket, a pair of pearl earrings and a hand-pounded lapis pendant that will make a perfect addition to my favorite long chain.
Today's shopping was a huge score based on these two phenomenal shops - just what we want when exploring the world - unique items by locals!
Can't wait to see what the rest of the cruise holds in store, but this Total Excursion just got a whole lot more rewarding!