Day 56 - February 28, 2008 - Bridgetown, Barbados

Barbados photos
We arrived on time. We were the 4th cruise ship to dock. A fifth ship came in behind us. Already docked were the Braemar, Legend of the Seas and P&O's Oceana. The ship behind us was Pullmantour's Holiday Dreams. That's a lot of cruise ships squeezed in here!
We were up top to watch us get docked in the tight quarters. We had breakfast outside on the back deck of LaVeranda. It is fairly pleasant right now with a good breeze out here. Not sure what it will be like inland or ashore, but the sun already feels hot. We have to be a Gate 6 at 8:50am but have no idea what that means or how to get there. It looks like there may be small shuttle buses from the docks to the Cruise Terminal though. So, we will have to leave shortly to scout it out. We have heard no announcements yet though about the ship even being cleared. We are docked on the starboard side so we can't just look out and scout it. More later.
So, the Concorde Experience was good. They have an entire Concorde inside a building at the airport. It is very well done with a sound and light show, some videos. They give you a boarding pass and you get to sit inside and watch another video. We were on 2 small buses in groups of about 20 each. We all sat and watched the show on the side of the jet and then they gave half of us boarding passes and took us onboard while the other group listened to Ian Richards, Flight Engineer for all Concorde operations in Barbados. When we got off our Concorde guide just told us where the rest rooms and gift shop were and everyone scattered to the 4 corners. We did not get the talk from Mr. Richards though we did hear him answer a question or 2. Then, we realized that we did not know where our group was and they were mostly outside. It took a while for our driver to round everyone up. At that point, it became clear that we did not have a guide or an RSSC escort between the 2 buses. The drivers were doing their best, but they are not guides. We were taken to Sunbury Plantation and told to go up the steps where we would be greeted for a tour and a drink. Maybe 25-50% of the 2 buses got a tour and the rest of us were told that we were not allowed in unless we paid the entrance fee. We all got a small plastic cup of either fruit punch or fruit punch with rum in the courtyard behind the house. The bus driver told us to be back at the bus in 30 minutes. Well, to drink a small cup of punch takes no where near 30 minutes. But, again, the half who got no tour were waiting at the bus for the drivers to locate all the people who had gotten inside the house. Our driver apologized for the confusion when we told him we were not allowed in the house. He said it was his mistake. That this was only about the 12th time he had driven the Concorde Experience tour and he did not know that it did not include the house tour. Then, we were driven to the church on a hilltop with great views. We were let out across the road and told to be back in 15 minutes. We were back at the Cruise Terminal at 1:15pm. Since it had taken us 10 minutes to walk here from the ship this morning and it was much more crowded now, we figured we had no time to get to the ship and back before 1:50pm. So, we found restrooms in the Terminal building and then went back out and found the buses to the Polo Match.
We were on the same bus/same driver. This time there was a guide aboard who talked about Barbados. Our driver spoke about it too in the morning, but he was clear that he was just giving us his opinions. Anyway, the Special Event at the polo match was the first one that has actually felt Special. We really enjoyed our time and tea there with the polo match. Polo is played in 4 segments of 7.5 minutes each. So, it doesn't really last too long. The announcer was hilarious. We had a good time. Of course, we were famished when we arrived there at almost 3pm.
Today was the first day in weeks that the temperature, humidity and breeze combined to create a truly comfortable day. Margie found it almost too cool. But, it was really very pleasant. It was hot and sunny, but very pleasant in the shade with a breeze which is where we found ourselves most of the time.
We got back to the ship about 5:30pm and sailed at 6pm. Shirley Jones performed a one-woman show at 6:15pm in the Constellation Theater. So, we all hustled back to shower and change in time. They showed a video montage of her career, then she sang a song and spoke about her life, then she answered some questions and sang another song. She is 74 years old, never had a facelift and never wants to retire. She has 3 theater shows coming up with her son Patrick in the near future. It was great. We have had a good and busy and long day.
Margie went to dinner in Compass Rose to meet a friend from Naples that she met onboard and had not seen in years. Debbie and Clay went up to LaVeranda and got one of the last tables available. They have moved buffet tables into the center and now only have seating in there for 70. It was still Steak and Lobster. We both ordered steak and they brought Clay the wrong steak and had to try again. First time that has happened. Chimi was very upset about it. Mostly, we think because he was trying to turn over tables for people he had turned away to the bars! Anyway, we still got out of there very quickly and he got his table turned.
We have an early morning tomorrow, so it is early to bed tonight. Clay is still coughing a lot and has lost a lot of sleep over it. Last night he seemed to sleep well for the first time in a while and we hope for a repeat tonight. Pasted below is the description of tomorrow's excursion. We have a pretty short stop in Rouseau, Dominica.
Rainforest Aerial Tram
Duration: 4 Hours.
Seated.
Code: RSU-6226
Price: $99pp
Welcome to the #1 tree top experience, The Rain Forest Aerial Tram, where you discover the treasure of nature's hanging garden. Upon your arrival you will be joined by one of Rain Forest Aerial Tram's naturalist guide who will embrace your company as you glide above the rain forest.
The guide will reveal to you the everlasting resilience of the diverse rainforest canopy which was unexplored prior to the establishment of the Rain Forest Aerial Tram. Be sure to bring along a camera for your cross over the awe-inspiring 300 ft Breakfast River Gorge. You have the option of getting off at tower 19th, the Final Station, and walk along our remarkable 84 meter long suspension bridge, from which you can observe 5 stunning waterfalls. From there you take a short walk through our admirable Chatannier Nature Trail and board your gondola again at Mid Station to return to Base Station.
This sensational attraction is located on the cusp of Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.
At our Juice bar you may wish to sample our rum punch, local juice or other beverages. You may also wish to browse through our Gift Shop or just relax enjoying the stunning beauty of the rainforest and its surroundings before continuing on your own individual adventure.
Barbados photos