This is the final post covering our southern caribbean cruise.
Our last port of call was Bridgetown, Barbados. Barbados is home to many beautiful beaches, the nicest ones we saw on this cruise. A double-rainbow near the island on our arrival portended a day of fun ahead. For this final stop we chose an excursion which included snorkeling, a beach break and an inland tour. It was described as a “shipwreck snorkel experience from a boat, a beach swim and an exploration of the island’s beauty in a specially rigged 4×4 vehicle – combined into one amazing tour.” We couldn’t wait to get underway that morning as the sun peeked out, the clouds parted and a beautiful sunny day began!
There were eleven folks total on this excursion, and when it was time to begin snorkeling I waited until everyone else had left the boat as I felt a bit anxious. Steve went ahead, thinking I’d be fine since we had snorkeled before. Besides, I’m an island girl who’s not afraid of the water, right? Well, I started to hyperventilate and was really breathing hard while swimming toward the group. The captain noticed me struggling and signaled his assistant to watch me. It felt like an eternity as I tried to catch up with the group. I was so thankful that our guide calmed me down and asked me to hang on to a buoy as I tried to relax.
I began getting my confidence back as the fear subsided. I think I had a bit of claustrophobia after not wearing a mask for a long time, and I discovered that getting into the water off a boat is different than just walking into the ocean from shore. Anyway, the water was warm, clear and refreshing. The colors and varieties of fish that swam around us were just breathtaking. We snorkeled over two shallow shipwrecks, where those tropical fish were so tame that they swam right up to us and ate out of our hands!
As soon as I began having the time of my life we were called back to the boat. It was entirely too short, but I really had a fantastic visit with all of those fish. However, we now had to prepare for our next activity just a few yards away – a beach break with unlimited rum punch – Woohoo! My goodness, it was only 9:30 in the morning!
The “complimentary” rum punch started flowing as we headed to shore. The captain told us not to leave the boat with less than a full glass, although I don’t know why since his helper offered plenty of refills. They seemed to realize that getting everyone drunk was a sure way to get good tips. We absolutely loved this beach – just look at the crystal clear azure water!
After less than an hour on the beach, we were next herded to the specially-rigged 4×4 to explore the Barbados countryside. This driver was more sane than the one we had in Dominica. He was proud of his island and gave a continuous commentary on the history, culture, and folklore of Barbados. The 4×4 allowed him to take us into some less accessible areas of the island’s interior, where we drove through the underbrush and a sugar cane field. Unfortunately, they are unable to efficiently produce sugar here any longer and have lost that industry. As we crossed a bridge, the guide described how it had been built by adding egg whites to white lime and sand to create a very strong cement. Who knew?
We spent a few minutes gawking at this rock art, which was created by local schoolchildren:
After a beautiful drive over the mountain, we arrived at Bathsheba on the rugged eastern shore of the island. We were told that Barbados is the easternmost of the caribbean islands, and is technically in the Atlantic ocean. And there is nothing but vast ocean for nearly 3,000 miles to the coast of Cape Verde, Africa. We were warned not to swim even where the surf looked calm, as the undertow is vicious and has killed several very good swimmers.
Something on the beach caught our eye as we were walking, and it was tiny but very beautiful. Then we noticed many of them had washed up onto the shore. We were cautioned by some people not to touch them, as they can deliver a painful sting.
It was a fun half-day trip, and we had a wonderful time. For me, this was my favorite stop – the snorkeling experience was really awesome and we agreed that we’ll definitely return to Barbados for a longer stay.
We had only one day left on the cruise, a full day at sea as we steamed all the way back to San Juan, Puerto Rico. The cruise folks scheduled all kinds of activities every hour on the hour, and we had plenty of time to complete that always unpleasant part of a great trip – packing for the journey home!
Steve and I each finished two books on this trip, proving that we are not really the party-animal types anymore 😦
At our last dinner, the waiters – who had provided excellent service during the entire trip – sang for us in the dining room. They know how to get good tips, too!
One other thing the cruise line does a great job of is handling luggage. As I mentioned previously, this is our sixth cruise with various cruise lines, and all of them have their act together when embarking and disembarking large numbers of people with a lot of luggage. They do it fast, efficiently and orderly. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the Customs and Immigration people. The line of passengers waiting to leave the San Juan port was huge, since only two officers were on hand to check over 2000 passengers through. What’s up with that?
On our way back to Orlando, Florida, we witnessed the changing colors of the sky as the sun dipped slowly below the horizon. All photographs below were taken by the lucky guy who always takes the window seat, my honeybunch. Very cool!
And that wraps up our 7-day southern caribbean cruise. Whew!
Lowes Travels 
I love the island tour that was part of your excursion. You certainly had a great day. That was such a beautiful beach.
LOVE the jellyfish photo, scary but gorgeous!
Wonderful photos of a real paradise island, Mona. Steve’s photos are very good indeed. I have to say that you make a very fetching beach babe! 🙂 I’d love to learn the art of towel origami. It always fascinates me when I see the different creations they come up with.
Fetching babe…thank you 🙂 I joined one of those towel origami sessions but now completely forgot how to do it.
😆 I’m sure I’d forget too, but it must have been fun to watch.
I meant to mention in your last post that I love your new header and was wondering what it was. I am a bit claustrophobic as well and believe I would have had some difficulties at first when snorkeling off a boat. Several years ago in Jamaica as Terry and I were snorkeling, he grabbed my hand as a huge stingray and her babe swam right below us. He knew I might panic if I saw this while snorkeling alone and he would have been right! 🙂
Thank you, LuAnn, you know I could not get the name of that palm tree. I did research it but no luck so far. There were three varieties of palm tree at the hotel we stayed and that was the one closer to our room. I could not really jump in right away or put my head down when snorkeling. I have to wait for a few minutes to get my fear out of my system.
I’m envious! You guys are so lucky! Great photos too!
Absolutely brilliant posts and photos. Enjoyed the trip with you very much. I don’t know how you had the time to put the posts together. It really took me back to when I lived in the West Indies as crew on a charter yacht. I understand your snorkeling fear. I walked confidently into four feet of water recently with mask and snorkel on and nearly drowned! What’s up with that? And tell Honeybunch I said to let you have the window seat next time.
Thank you I told honey bunch to give up the window seat next time, but he simply smiled and shook his head. I enjoyed snorkeling, its the first few minutes that I have to grapple with.
🙂
We did the same snorkel tour on Barbados and I had a similar response which surprised me because when I was younger we routinely went to St. Thomas to snorkel. Go figure – old age ❓ Love that jellyfish photo. Now that you’ve been back on the mainland, I’m looking forward to seeing all the new places you two discover in Florida.
Who says old age? ha ha ha. I wished i had taken a better pic of that jelly fish. We were almost living when I noticed those tiny tiny jelly fish.
Snorkeling is not for me … aside from the claustrophobia issue, I don’t like having things (fish) touch me. Mui on the other hand, loves it … so accompany him to the beach and find some shade where I can read while he swims. The last time we were in Barbados, we hopped a local bus to a spot where he could swim with sea turtles without doing a tour … one of our best beach stops ever. The area around Bathsheba has a whole different vibe, doesn’t it? Coincidentally, I had just finished reading a novel set in the area when we visited for the first time and I could visualize the plot when I arrived at the overlook that gave us a nice glimpse of the vast landscape.
I find it really interesting when the setting of a book is place we have been to. It is easier to visualize and you can really imagine you are there. Yup, Bathsheba seems to be in a world of its own,glad it was part of the tour.
Beautiful picture of the jellyfish! I enjoyed reading all about your cruise….it is paradise!
Great memories on a great location for just half a day! Now, I know why my ex-girlfriend was so reluctant to jump in that day. Didn’t think that the fear of it can get serious. Some times, I really am too much of a go-getter. Snorkeling is fun, and it really is fascinating to see marine life at close. That jellyfish looks so interesting.