在加勒比海游弋 （下）

 

如前所述，这次游轮的八个地点中的大部分都不是其他游轮经常造访的地方。一个简单的原因是这些地方没有接待大型游轮的能力。

As mentioned before, most of the eight locations on this cruise are not those frequently visited by other ships. A simple reason is that most of them are not catered to receiving cruise ship visits on a large scale.

第三站（圣基茨和尼维斯）。无论是按面积还是人口，这是西半球最小的主权国家。该国是英联邦的一部分，首都是位于较大的圣基茨岛上的巴斯特尔。较小的尼维斯岛位于圣基茨东南约3公里（2英里）处，穿过一条名为“狭道”的浅水海峡。

Third stop (St. Kitts and Nevis) – This is the smallest sovereign state in the Western Hemisphere, in both area and population. The country is part of the British Commonwealth. The capital city is Basseterre on the larger island of Saint Kitts. The smaller island of Nevis lies approximately 3km (2mi) southeast of Saint Kitts across a shallow channel called "The Narrows".

 

糖料种植园是圣基茨的主要景观。为了开发地产业，许多甘蔗田被烧毁，特别是在岛的北侧。圣基茨提供一项投资公民计划，以增加约55,000人口。你只要花40万美元投资到指定的房地产项目和付一些杂费，你就可以成为这个国家的公民。我的感觉是，该国仍然在发展旅游业务，因为它的海滩和景点很美丽，这一行业应会有前途。

Former sugar plantations dominate the St. Kitts landscape. Many of the cane fields are being burned to make room for land development, especially on the northern side of the island. St. Kitts offers a citizenship-by-investment program to increase its population of about 55,000. For an investment in designated real estate with a minimum value of US$400,000 and some other fees, one can obtain citizenship to the country. My impression is that it is still developing its tourism business but has plenty of lovely beaches and attractions to make this a success.

第四站（马提尼克岛）。这个地方的名字立即让人联想到法国。事实上，这是法国十八个地区中的一个，也是法兰西共和国不可分割的一部分。作为法国的一部分，马提尼克岛也成为殴盟的一部分，用的货币是欧元。总人口不到40万。

Fourth stop (Martinique) – The name of this place immediately brings us to the French connection. Indeed, this is one of the eighteen regions of France and an integral part of the French Republic. As part of France, Martinique is part of the European Union, and its currency is the euro. The total population is just under 400,000.

 

我们在其首都法兰西堡下船。该市有美丽的建筑和宽阔的林荫大道。你可以在那感受到欧洲的气氛，好像我们踏上了法国本土似的。大教堂，历史建筑，现代建筑和花园装饰着这座城市。

We disembarked on the capital Fort-de-France with its beautiful buildings and wide boulevards. One can feel that European atmosphere and almost imagine that we are visiting part of France. Cathedrals, historical buildings, modern structures, and gardens adorn this city.

第五站（巴巴多斯）。这个岛国是英国的前殖民地，于1966年11月30日独立，并成为的英联邦的一部分。它的首都是布里奇敦，人口接近30万，国土面积为169平方英里，是世界上人口最稠密的岛屿之一。

Fifth stop (Barbados) – A former British colony, Barbados became an independent Island state and part of the British Commonwealth on November 30, 1966. Its capital is Bridgetown and the population is close to 300,000. With a total area of 169 square miles, it is one of the world's most densely populated isles.

 

在我们环岛旅游的过程中，我们看到了加勒比群岛中最昂贵的房屋和别墅。我们还注意到海边有大型豪华海滨公寓大楼的开发，且有简体中文的大型广告牌。我们以为，开发商这样做是为了吸引那些大陆富人前来投资或度假。

On our guided tour around the island, we saw some of the most expensive houses and villas in the Caribbean Islands. We also notice the development of an entire luxurious seaside condominium complex with large billboards advertising in simplified Chinese characters. Our interpretation is that someone must have started this to cater to Mainland Chinese rich people who may want to own them as investment or vacation homes.

 

第六站（特立尼达和多巴哥）。该地区从1806年开始成为西班牙殖民地，随后又成为英国殖民地，如今，他们已经独立，成立了共和国。人口135万，首都是西班牙港。根据购买力，该国人均国内生产总值排名世界第三，被世界银行视为高收入经济体。

Sixth stop (Trinidad and Tobago) – Started out as a Spanish colony and then conceded to the British in 1806, this country now is a republic. The population is 1.35 million and the capital is Port of Spain. It has the third highest GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity and recognized by the World Bank as a high-income economy.

与大多数讲英语的加勒比地区不同，该国的经济是工业，主要是石油和石化行业。国家的大部分财富来自其丰富的石油和天然气储备。

Unlike most of the English-speaking Caribbean, the economy is primarily industrial with an emphasis on petroleum and petrochemicals; much of the nation's wealth is derived from its large reserves of oil and natural gas.

首都到处林立着摩天大楼。这是一个可以买到便宜货的地方，尤其是服装。我们疯狂购物，真正享受到“拿不动”的时刻。拎着购买的T恤，裤子和外衣，我们费了好大的劲才回到船上，差点倒在路上。

Skyscrapers are everywhere in the capital. This is the one place where real bargains are available when it comes to dressing garments. We went on a shopping spree and truly enjoyed the “Shop till you drop” moments. Loaded with T-shirts, pants, and dresses, we barely managed to struggle back to the ship without collapsing on our way.

 

第七站（库拉索岛）。2010年10月10日，库拉索岛成为荷兰王国内的国中之国，它保留了自己国防并自定外交政策。库拉索岛人口超过160,000，面积171平方英里，首都是威廉斯塔德。库拉索岛拥有开放的经济，包括旅游，国际贸易，航运服务和炼油。

Seventh stop (Curacao) - On 10 October 2010, Curacao became a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with the Kingdom retaining responsibility for defence and foreign policy. Curacao has a population over 160,000 in an area of 171 square miles and its capital is Willemstad. Curacao has an open economy, with tourism, international trade, shipping services, oil refining.

在岛上逗留时，我们看到了多个炼油厂。这里距委内瑞拉仅40英里。我们被告知，如果天气晴朗，你可以看到对岸的委内瑞拉。这里超过80％的房屋都是红橙色的屋顶。我们还看到了“Curacao Diaspora Society”大楼，上面有简体中文的标志。

Going around the island, we saw the oil refineries. Only 40 miles from the coast of Venezuela, we were told that they can spot its coast on a clear day. Over 80 percent of the houses featured red-orange  roofs. We even passed by the “Curacao Diaspora Society” building with its sign in Simplified Chinese characters.

第八站，也是我们这一行程的最后一站（阿鲁巴岛）。这也是荷兰王国的下的一个国家。阿鲁巴岛气候干燥，到处都是仙人掌。这种气候有助于旅游业，因为岛上的游客永远可以享受温暖，阳光明媚的天气。

Eighth and final stop (Aruba) – Another island that is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Aruba has a dry climate and an arid, cactus-strewn landscape. This climate has helped tourism as visitors to the island can reliably expect warm, sunny weather.

 

它的土地面积为69.1平方英里，人口密集，总人口超过105,000。首都是奥拉涅斯塔德。它位于“飓风走廊”之外，意味着它不受飓风的影响。

It has a land area of 69.1 square miles and is densely populated, with a total of over 105,000 inhabitants. The capital city is Oranjestad. The Island lies outside “Hurricane Alley” meaning that it is not affected by Hurricanes.

岛上有很多超市，大多数是由中国人经营的、挂中文招牌的商店。这里有许多赌场和海滩，岛上是冬季度假的热点。

There are plenty of supermarkets on the Island and most are run by Chinese with Chinese store names. There are many Casinos and beaches and the island is a hot spot for vacation in Winter.

这次坐游轮周游了许多地方，真是难以置信。当然，身体也得到了很好的休息。 今后，我将考虑飞过去，重游这些岛国。

The experience for visiting so many places all on one trip was incredible, it is also very relaxing for the body. Next time, I may consider revisiting some of them on fly-in trips instead.