Blogs from Bridgetown, Barbados, Central America Caribbean - page 2

Geo: 13.11, -59.61Friday, March 14, 2014BarbadosAfter our ship left St. Lucia yesterday, we sailed south between St. Lucia and St. Vincent, south of Cape Moule a Chique. We went southeast across the Tobago Basin to Barbados.Though we've never been to Barbados, and not knowing anything at all about it (I've always thought of it as kind of scary) we decide to do our own thing. We even have a plan. Yes, we are slow learners. Hahaha!After a quick breakfast of bagels and peanut butter and plain yogurt and some fruit, we walked off the ship around 9am. It was only a 10 minute walk to the bus depot. After a short wait, we hopped a bus to Holetown - bus fare $1 US each. (This bus also goes to "Pie Town" and that sounded very tempting!) ... read more

Geo: 13.11, -59.61Having finished with Brazil, we're heading for home with a couple of Caribbean stops on the way. First up is Barbados, formerly a British colony and currently one of the more popular island stops (particularly for those overpaid types whose sole contribution to world peace is bouncing a ball or singing a song)- the islands' most recent claim to fame was the hosting of the Tiger Woods wedding. We turned Don T loose on a chatty cab driver/tour guide and he beat him down to a reasonable all day fare for the four of us and a couple of other new friends. Not having seen any monkeys since Sri Lanka (with the exception of few hairy dress-wearing gorillas in Salvador) our first stop had to be the Green Monkeys of Barbados (apparently in a ... read more

Normally I put group tours in the same category as whiny children and bad hangovers: things to be avoided at all cost. Fortunately, the Garrison Heritage Tour was a happy exception. I’m interested in military history, and for a long time I had wanted to see some parts of Garrison that are not normally open to the public, like the armoury and the inside of the Main Guard building. So, when I saw the small ad in the local newspaper pitching “Historic Garrison” tours to residents, my interest was definitely piqued. We started the our visit at the George Washington House, a place I have visited before. (See my blog George Washington Slept Here) However, since my previous visit, several miles of tunnels underneath the area have been discovered, some leading to St. Ann’s Fort, some ... read more

It was with much anticipation that I flew into Barbados; the exotic land of my great grandfather, as much a family legend as a reality. To my knowledge I was the first family member to return in the over 100 years since his arrival in New Zealand. I never knew my great grandfather; he was gone long before I was born. Memories of my grandfather and his two unmarried sisters were my closest link. It seems to me I have more in contrast than commonality; my grandfather was short while I am tall, he was dark while I have very pale skin, he was fleet of foot and a great sportsman while I only have enthusiasm but no ability, he worked with his hands as a carpenter while I have to be content tapping at a ... read more

Barbados Ship docked at Bridgeport and today's tour headed for a mohagany carving gallery, a rum distillery and a plantation house. We met Reggie Medford, the owner of the carving gallery who is a natinal institution here in Barbados. He uses the reclaimeed trunks of mohagany trees that are being removed from construction sites. We then moved on to the Four Square rum distillery. Highest rated spice rumbeating out Captain Morgan. The tasting was the best part... of course... Purchased a 12 year old rum... tastings to follow at home... Also bought a rum liquer. Off for lunch and tour at a 300 year old sugar plantation mansion. The Sandbury plantation. Lunch was good but we had to ask for hot sauce. I guess the locals figured us North Americans couldn't handle the Bajan hot sauce... ... read more