Women of the Caribbean

[Tink]

How could it be a cruise without events?! One of the main events for this cruise (and the gay community as a whole) is the White Party. Several cities host White Parties at various times of the year. Miami's SoBe does it the best (in our opinion of course). There, the White Party also functions as a fund raiser for HIV+/AIDS research, treatment and care. White is the required color for clothing. No white, no admission. Here, on the ship it is much more relaxed. No fund raiser, just a fun time.

[Tink]

The couple in the third shot from the bottom (directly above)... aren't they beautiful? They were with us for another event (we'll get there) and when I saw them again at the White Party I asked if I could photograph them. They were so full of life and had been together for nearly ever.

There were beautiful, heart stoppingly beautiful young women on board this ship, but those who moved me to tears were the older women. They have been through so very much in their lives. They are pre-Stonewall women, and know what it truly means to be discriminated against, to live in true fear... This cruise brought all sorts, shapes, sizes, colors, ages together and provided an area where no one worried about anything other than what the next song would be!

The White Party photos encompass some dining room shots, and some party shots. Becca my friend, you'll be happy to know, "Babylon" is alive and well where these women are concerned!

[Tink]

And now for the other event. It was a double event, if you will. It was Formal Night. Anyone who chose to do so could dress as elaborately as they pleased for dinner.

There were two couples there, highland women! Two of them were in full Highland Dress. Now that gives a wonderful new meaning to proper Scotswoman! (I thought of our Scotswomen here and wished I'd had the courage to ask to take their photo, but I'm afraid your old Tink was too shy. ). They were beautiful strong women, but you'll have guessed that by now.

We had a lovely dinner that evening. We chose to go to the specialty restaurant.

Here are some shots of our dinner.

[Tink]

OH GEE!!! I nearly forgot! We visited an aquarium on St. Thomas and took some shots of the wildlife there.

Quickly, before I forget again, let me interrupt our specialty dinner and Formal Night to share these shots with you...

[Tink]

Oh, and I wanted to share these with you too... shots of the tenders being lowered from the side of the ship... and underway...
This was the only really disquieting event of the cruise. The tenders didn't work properly. Now, remember please those tenders are also the life boats! And who would it be that ended up on a tender that had it's engines stop working all together? You've got it! Us. We ended up having to have another working tender come along side and disembark the malfunctioning one and cross over to the one that worked. Not a fun time. But we all survived quite nicely. Not so sure it's good policy to have tenders/lifeboats that don't operate properly though.

[Tink]

OK. Back to Formal Night, shall we? We are nearly at the end of the report. Aren't you relieved?! I took some license with the order of the photos. For example, the shot of the full ship is off Half Moon Cay, and not Port Everglades. The order of events is taken out of sequence also. Formal Night was the second night at sea.

Oh, the second event of Formal Night? Well, that was for anyone who chose to participate, as well. We, my dearest friends, chose to participate...

[kazzaqld]

Beautiful, beautiful photos Tink - thank you for sharing. It looks like you both had a great time!

[Johnie]

OK. Back to Formal Night, shall we? We are nearly at the end of the report. Aren't you relieved?! I took some license with the order of the photos. For example, the shot of the full ship is off Half Moon Cay, and not Port Everglades. The order of events is taken out of sequence also. Formal Night was the second night at sea.

Oh, the second event of Formal Night? Well, that was for anyone who chose to participate, as well. We, my dearest friends, chose to participate...

Does that mean what I think it means? If so, I am very, veryhappy for you my dear


The photos are beautiful. It looks like a beautiful ship and it also looks like it was nice and WARM!

[Tink]

It does dear Johnie. It does.

It was warm! GLORIOUSLY WARM!!!

[uscwest]

Some absolutely gorgeous pictures my dear friend and it looks like a great time was had by all.

CONGRATULATIONS

I am truly happy for you.