NOW TO VIEW MY JANUARY POSTS YOU WILL HAVE TO CLICK ON "JANUARY" SO THOSE POSTS WILL BE DISPLAYED.
TO VIEW PREVIOUS POSTINGS USE THE "BLOG ARCHIVE" UNDER OUR PHOTO ON THE RIGHT. THEN CLICK ON THE DAY OR DAYS YOU MISSED. ALSO CLICKING ON THE PHOTOS WILL ENLARGE THEM. I RECOMMEND THAT.
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 major exports here are sugar, rum, and molasses. 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 NIGHT:
Drinks and dinner with Susanne Peters, our friend from Cincinnati. Her mother passed away yesterday so we thought we would try to take her mind off that.
Double order of miso glazed sea bass. The marinade it for 48 hours prior to cooking. Delicious!!
Richard Rubin's show (our assistant cruise director)
TODAY:
We are docked today in Bridgetown, the capital city of Barbados. Sunny skies and 84 degrees.
Our pursers staff is getting the ship cleared with the local health officials.
"Filler up"!! Getting some fuel oil today. This is right below our balcony.
The cruise terminal in front of our ship. About 1000 feet walk or they have a shuttle.
Our dock is not the best for photos of Bridgetown.
Huge NCL cruise ship---Epic
Behind us is Canard's Queen Victoria.
At lunch we heard that there will be just 34 folks joining the Mariner today from the bankrupt Crystal Cruises world cruise ship. They are flying in today and some will be arriving at noon, 3pm, and 9pm. We hear they will stay on board here to the end of our WC on May 5th. We're anxious to see if we may know some of them as they have probably sailed with Regent previously.
I am again having some problems with my photos uploading to the Google Photos cloud. Not sure why but now they are uploaded. I will be on tour tomorrow so will have quite a few to get uploaded tomorrow afternoon.
This evening we will be having cocktails with Marcia in the Mariner Lounge at 6pm followed by dinner in Prime 7 (steakhouse) at 7pm. Tonight's show is another production cast show, "Tuxedo". The 12 member cast of singers and dancers are very talented so we are looking forward to their show.
The ship is overnighting here. My tour tomorrow is at 9am.
