Rainforests, history, and sparkling seas: a voyage to remember DRESSED in a white suit and carrying a cane, Anthony Hunte led a group of tourists into a collapsed cave filled with exotic trees, shrubs, and flowers. The land used to be part of the Castle Grant sugar plantation. In 1990, Hunte bought ten acres of this plantation and transformed it into a lush garden in the heart of Barbados.
"I half expected him to say 'Welcome to Jurassic Park,'" a young woman said in a stage whisper. Indeed, Hunte's Gardens is an exotic destination in the rainforest that seems like a fairy tale away from reality. Mini-gardens make up the three acres, showcasing precious flora.
The exotic adventure is part of a Viking Sea excursion. The West Indies Explorer itinerary whisks passengers to nine islands: Puerto Rico, Tortola, St. Kitts, St.
Lucia, Barbados, Dominica, Antigua, St. Martin, and St. Thomas.
Viking Ocean Cruises offers guests included excursions and optional tours for a fee every day. My daughter and I took the included "overview" tours every morning, allowing us the rest of the day to explore independently or take an optional tour like Huntes Garden in the afternoon. Anyone who cruises knows the joy of unpacking once, relaxing completely, and exploring ports of call.
With Viking you dan expect complimentary beer, wine, soft drinks with meals, free Wi-Fi and quite few other enticements. All 930 passengers enjoy a stateroom with a veranda. Nine Islands After embarkation day and one day.
