March 4 – Devil’s Island

March 3, 2017 – At Sea heading to Devils Island
Another sea day of lectures, games, and fun. A silent auction was held to benefit a school in Barbados. The Antarctic Research Team left a donation of badges, pins, sweatshirts, and baseball caps. The bridge officers donated the nautical charts for Antarctica and the Amazon.com. There were a lot of other items. Linda bid on and purchased the dinner for 2 at the Canaletto with Kevin, the show host, and Hannah, the culinary arts coordinator. She has invited me to join her.
Tonight was our 2nd to last Gala night. I found a pillow gift when I returned to my room after the late show. It is six (6) salad plates each has a different Holland America old advertising image. The box is quite heavy. I’ll try to get it into a suitcase and hope they get to my house in one piece.
March 4, 2017 – Devil’s Island, French Guiana
There are actually three islands here. The island we went to is Ile Royale, where the governor and guards lived. Prisoners with lighter sentences were housed here and the 2nd island. Devil’s Island – Ile du Diable – was for political prisoners and those who tried to escape. We were only on the main island. Linda and I walked the path around the island by the shoreline. Then we went up the hill to the area where the chapel, hospital, and guards housing were situated. During our walk we saw monkeys, chickens, lizards, and peacocks. The Chapel 4was being renovated. There is a hotel and restaurant. They also rent out apartments in the guards quarters. We saw 4 or 5 families that seem to be staying there on holiday.
We headed back to the ship after 2 1/2 hours. Tomorrow is another sea day.