DAY 20---BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS

 

        Yukky day as we started our docking procedure at 8am.  Rainy day but sun started coming out in the afternoon.  84 degrees

BARBADOS BACKGROUND INFO:

         Barbados is an independent British Commonwealth island country in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies.  It is the most easterly of the Caribbean islands.  Actually, the west side of the island is on the Caribbean Sea and the east side on the Atlantic Ocean.  The island is 21 miles in length and 14 miles in width with a population of 290,000.  (91% are black and 4% white)  Bridgetown, where we are docked, is its capital and has a population of 110,000.  Again, this island is south of the hurricane belt.  The annual rainfall is between 40 to 90 inches and temperature ranges from 70 to 88 degrees.  The island is home to 4 species of turtles and the very curious and mischievous green monkey.   

        Historically, sugar cane was the main economy driver but since the 1970’s tourism and manufacturing replaced it.  Offshore finance and information services have become important also.  The education system is fashioned after the British one and the literacy rate is close to 100%.  All children must attend school until they become 16.

        There are many beautiful beaches here with water sports and surfing also.  It is also a popular port of call for 25 different cruise lines bringing 800,000 visitors to the island every year.

LAST EVENING

                            Aldrin was serving our cocktails in Stars Lounge before dinner.

        This is a new appetizer.  Salmon Mousse with black mussels in a saffron broth.  Does not look very good but it was.  We both had chicken Kiev as our entrees.

                                             I had to taste this maple bourbon pecan pie.

        Ray said the production cast of singers and dancers made this show up on their own.  James Bond movie songs.  Truly one of the best shows.  It really highlighted the dancers talents.

TODAY

There were 3 cruise ships already here this morning.  The one on the right is "World".  It's like a condo as you BUY a cabin and live on the ship.  Seabourn cruise ship in distance and a P&O cruise ship on left.

                                                         View from our balcony today.

        Light rain falling as the gangway was out by 8:30 and Barbados immigrations was just coming on board to clear the ship.

        Ok, so I said it was raining but the photos below showing sunny day.  I took them when we were here in March of 2016.
   

   Processed sugar comes here for exporting.

                                                           The "sugar shack".

                                   That sugar is taken via big conveyer and loaded on ships.

                                            The beautiful blue waters of the Caribbean

                                                       Bridgetown, Barbados

        This is cruise terminal.  We're docked at the commercial pier so had to take shuttle from ship to the cruise terminal.  

        

                                                                     

                                                I found myself in "Lost and Found"

        Today I did take the shuttle to see the shows again.  Lots of shops in the terminal but no pharmacy.  So a quick walk through and hopped back on the shuttle to the ship.  Jane was on my shuttle heading to meet her tour bus.

        We had lunch up in La Veranda.  Last night I told Vlada, the restaurant manager, that we wanted to dine up in Sette Mari tonight and to ask the chef for a veal parmesan.  So at lunch I confirmed the request with Harry, Sette Mari maitre'd.  It's all set.

        This afternoon a maintenance man came to install a bigger around grab bar.  He did a lot of drilling.  Our steward had to come and vacuum up the mess he made.  Another worker was out on our balcony doing some painting.

        Next door neighbor on one side has had their tv too loud.  So today I went to Reception and nicely complained.  Not long after the tv was not loud.

        The crew had to walk a long way to get to the cruise terminal but they had been cooped up on the ship for almost 2 weeks so they were happy to get some fresh air and free internet.  Yes, they have to pay to use the ship's internet.  Not sure how much.  Glad the sun came out for them.

                                                           Storage for sugar to export.

        Jane returned from her tour (said there were only 3 of them on the tour bus) at 2:30 so Rebecca and her are watching "Young & Restless" being streamed on Paramount Plus in Jane's suite.  I'm watching a movie on tv.

        Cocktail hour in Stars Lounge at 6:00 followed by dinner up in Sette Mari at 7:00.  Two new entertainers boarded today.  One is a comedian, Cory Kahaney.  Her first show is tonight at 9:30.  We are planning to attend it.

        We sail again at 6pm and will be docked in Roseau on the island of Dominica by 8am tomorrow.