Little San Salvador Island (Half moon Cay)

Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas is, without a doubt, my favorite slice on heaven on earth. The island is uninhabited save for the transient passengers of cruise ships. Carnival cruise lines bought the island, then known as Little San Salvador, in the late 90's and renamed it Half Moon Cay... An appropriate name given it's crescent moon shape.

Its a small Island as far as islands go... approx 2,400 acres but only 50 acres or so are developed. If you want to feel like you are on your own private island then this is the place. Now the island doesn't have a deep water port so expect to be shuttled over from your ship... get ready and get down there early. Once on the island you enter the typical touristy shopping area... do your shopping somewhere else. This island is about the experience of being alone or with the one you love on a deserted island. Hit beach via the "I Wish I Could Stay Here Forever" bar...

grab a drink then on to the beach. The area closet to you will be the water sports area... if that's your thing then great but otherwise keep walking North..

or to your right. Get away from everyone else. You can really get the feeling that you are all alone in paradise. If you should happen to decide you'd like to be completely alone with the one you love... grab a blanket and head off the beaten path... remember this is an undeveloped 2,400 acre island with the passengers and crew of your ship its only inhabitants. Take some time to get a little lost.... just be sure to be back in time to catch the ship.

The cruise ship will offer all the standard excursions and shopping experiences but I highly recommend blowing all that off and taking in the experience of just being alone with your significant other on Half Moon Cay.

Key West

We arrived in Key West at around ten o'clock in the morning mid-November via cruise ship. The temperature was in the low 80's with clear sky's. I remember feeling as though the entire island had let out a collective yawn and went about the business of ....opening for business. The prevailing tone was one of casual indifference. There were no aggressive salesman pandering wares to be found anywhere. Instead business owners and staff payed little attention until you engaged them. Most shops and restaurants were open to air and it was very easy to simply stroll in and out of any shop. As a matter of fact.. chickens wandered in and out of shops several times while we were there and no one batted an eye.
                                                                             

You can't help but feel at ease in Key West. I got the feeling that any celebrity could have a seat at Captain Tony's ... the bartender would pour him a drink then resume the conversation he was having with the old regular on the other side of the bar.

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Key West is pretty... its clean... but most of all it is calm. The beaches are rocky for the most part as the island is mostly coral but the water is clear blue and warm. Walking the streets of Key West one never knows what you might encounter. Spider man...a wookie or a juggler on a unicycle may be right around the corner.

                                                                                   
You may pass a tavern and see a line of ladies dancing on the bar... or find yourself trying to decide if you want to enter a clothing optional establishment....
                                                                                 

or stop to listen to an old man selling cigars sing to his own delight.... Maybe get some tips from a barkeep about how to take alcohol back onto the ship if you dare.
                                                                        
                                                                               

Key West is rich in history and I recommend everyone do some research about the island before you go. Almost every where you turn has some historical significance and its much more fun to know about it while you're there.

                                                                             

If you go to Key West... walk slow... take it in and just be.