We had a beautiful day today in Barbados. We were so lucky that two good friends, Jane and Dale, live here and they picked us up and gave us a tour of the entire island. Dale is a Bajan and I doubt we could have had a better guide or anyone who knows the island as well as he does.
Very good weather today, sunny skies and temperatures about 29C. No rain at all today. Perfect day for sightseeing. Jane and Dale picked us up at the port and we went to their house first and sat on their terrace and caught up several years of family news.
Then began our round island tour!!!! We headed north up the glamorous West Coast. In between the fabulous mansions and luxury hotels, we could see the white sand beaches and the turquoise blue sea. As the villages gave way to cane fields we stopped at an old lighthouse, then continued north stopping again at a viewpoint with a little restaurant. The coast started to change to coral rock and wilder seas. The blow holes reminded me of Cornwall.
One thing amused us. Jane’s daughter Ruth bought her a special present for her birthday: a bus shelter named after her! A great idea.
We crossed to the east coast, past several Great Houses and stopped for lunch at a local style restaurant called Sand Dunes. Had beef stew, rice, noodle pudding…. All yum. On again and we, stopped at one of the old British churches, St. John. Absolutely lovely with superbly carved pews and stairways. Well worth a visit. The gravestones and mausoleums made an interesting read. Some nearly 500 years old. Incredible views too. I could think of worse places to end up.
On again, turning off road and ploughing along tiny tracks in the cane fields to get to a couple of View points. One on the site of an old great house mausoleum and another called Monkey Jump. The views were stunning over the surfing coast. The countryside is so lush and tropical. Dense growth of old cane, bananas, meant tropical trees and shrubs. Rum is still made here from the cane.
We came on down the east coast and along the south coast, past Christchurch and Rockley Beach and back to Bridgetown and our ship. What a fantastic day enlivened by great company and the knowledge of Jane and Dale. Dale knows everyone or so it seems. We had a blast. There is so much history here as well as superb tourist facilities. Oh and super cheap gorgeous local rum. So many reasons to stay a while. We loved Barbados.
Tonight we saw the company show which was the most technically spectacular stage show we’ve ever seen at sea. Drones, multiple level, shape shifting stage, incredible effects. Very spectacular to watch and they really pulled it off. Not so easy on a stage that must be shifting even if ever so slightly.