Barbados – April 22

Barbados – April 22

It’s our second time here, though the first time was a very long time ago. We did the tram ride through the cave and visited a Flower Forest last time. 

I set up a tour with Ted’s Private Tour for 6 – Taste of Barbados http://tedstour.wixsite.com/tedstour   

We were early getting off the ship, so we waited outside for Ted. Oftentimes, the tour guides are there early, but that didn’t happen. The tour start time was 8:30 and when that came and went, I called his cell phone number to see where he was. He asked where we were and then he said did you have a tour with me today? I said yes. He said his daughter sets up the tours and she had been sick for 4 days. He said he’d call me right back after he checked with her. In the meantime, I went over to the taxi dispatch and inquired about the cost of a tour with 4 of us. We were supposed to be 6, but Vikki’s husband Greg wasn’t feeling well, and Vikki was going to go anyway and pay for Greg if Ted required that. 

Ted called back and said he could be there in half an hour. I said to tell him that’s too long and we’d just grab a cab. So, with no obligation Vikki said she’d go back on the ship with Greg. So, John & Toni agreed we should just grab a cab and it was half the cost of Ted’s Tours. Our guide was Nigel and he was super. He took us everywhere we wanted to go except Hunte’s Gardens which was closed due to the holiday. In fact, many of the local stores were not open since it was Easter Monday. 

Nigel took us to some off the beaten path places as well as the main sights. He had a huge van and since there was only 4 of us, we had lots of room. 

Rihanna (the singer) was born here and he drove us past the small home where she grew up and later by her condo on the beach worth millions. 

Our first stop was at St. John’s Church which is the oldest church in Barbados. It has a plaque where President & Mrs. Reagan sat when they visited. I should have checked my photo since it came out blurry. Argh…..

Next, we drove by some beautiful beaches in Speighstown. We got out and walked along the esplanade for some beautiful views. 

Nigel took us into the countryside to see the natural beauty of the island. 

Our next stop was at Barbados Wildlife Reserve. What a lovely and peaceful place. There were many tortoises walking about. You could hear them rustling the dried leaves as they walked around. Many were mating on our walking path. We also came across some cute Green Monkeys that had very long tails. There were also some crocodiles in a pond. Further into the reserve there were some cute deer that went flying by. The female was in front running away from all the males chasing her. They kept going around and around in circles through a bush and then out and around again. 

They also had some snakes & birds in cages, but we favored the animals that were free to roam. There were a few peacocks as well. We had about an hour here. It was a lovely stop and just so peaceful to wander around. 

From there we headed for Cherry Tree Hill which had gorgeous views. There were also a few vendors set up there and someone dressed up like an Easter Bunny. I got my token magnet and a cute hummingbird. John & Toni got coconut water and they said the guy put a “bit” of rum in the coconut. 

We drove down from the hill and stopped for photos of Morgan Lewis Windmill. It no longer is in operation, but it is beautiful.

We stopped for lunch at a restaurant & bar named Sand Dunes. It was a local place recommended by Nigel. We did see about 4 people from our ship there that had also grabbed a cab and that was where their driver took them. I ordered the baked pork plate which came with 2 sides. When it came it not only had the 2 sides I ordered (macaroni casserole, mashed potatoes) it also came with a small salad & potato salad. All was very good. Greg ordered the Flying Fish & chips and he tried the local Banks beer. 

After lunch we drove to Bathsheba which is famous for its breathtaking beauty and pounding surf. There were a few people surfing despite the surf not being “up”. Since it was a holiday there were many families picnicking, flying kites, enjoying the tide pools or surfing. 

There was a lady there that was friendly and pointed out some of the sites to us and let us take photos of her. Of course, she had hand-made jewelry to sell. She was so sweet we all just had to buy a necklace or bracelet. She had some that were made of a seed that felt like velvet. 

On our drive around the island we also saw where Tiger Woods had a place and the golf course where he played. Just beautiful beaches and lush green scenery everywhere.

Back in town we stopped to get photos of the swinging bridge. I had some trouble with a guy there that grabbed me and put a bracelet on my wrist. He said just a dollar. I wouldn’t have minded giving him a buck, but when I tried to give him one, he said it wasn’t enough he wanted 3 and then 5 and then 7. He put a second one on and said 2 for the price of 1. I tried to take them both off and he wouldn’t let me. Finally, Nigel noticed what was happening and he told the guy to get away. If she gave you a dollar let her go and that’s enough. As I was walking away, he came and grabbed one of the bracelets off my wrist. Yikes! Greg said I should have yelled, but I was just trying to get away. He wasn’t hurting me, but he was insistent and holding my wrist. 

After seeing more of Bridgetown, we were taken back to the ship. We shopped a bit at the shops at the pier and then went back on board and got cleaned up for dinner. I used my phone as a hotspot and got another album uploaded since I had 3 hours until we sailed. 

After dinner we went to see Cory Kahaney a comic that was a finalist on Last Comic Standing. She was OK.

Barbados https://photos.app.goo.gl/2c3mGMYznU1wNiZw9

Tomorrow we visit Guadeloupe.