DAY 58---BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS

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        Our position today is docked in Bridgetown on Barbados where we will be spending two days here.  We spent two days here back on February 3rd & 4th.  As a review I will again put the background info on this post.

        There are 4 other cruise ships here today besides us:  RCL, Oceania, P&O, and Cunard.  I believe the Cunard Queen Victoria is still under contract as a hospital/isolation ship for covid in the Caribbean however as it is anchored off shore about a mile. 

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:

        As usual our evening began at the bar in the Horizon Lounge with our favorite bartender, Peter.  The bar later became packed.  Then at about 7pm we adjourned to Compass Rose for dinner.  Seems everyone was dining there last night as a lot more tables were filled.

I started with this appetizer:  thinly sliced roasted veal loin with a creamy tuna sauce.  It was good but too much for an appetizer.  Rebecca started with a Caesar salad.

We both enjoyed the roasted prime rib with grated horseradish, mushrooms, and a baked potato instead of the potato that came on the plate.  The meat was perfectly cooked at medium rare and was better than the prime rib we have had in the steakhouse, Prime 7.

I have never had this dessert before but it was really good.  Apple croissant pudding with a cinnamon, vanilla, & caramel sauce.  Yum!!

                                            Ruben's magic and illusion show was very good.

TODAY:

        TGIF  Well, I never know what day it is after almost 2 months without checking our calendar first.  All I know is this has been a very painful week for us on the stock market.  

As last time our dock is in the commercial area of the port.  Ahead of us is the cruise terminal.  As you can see there are lots of clouds today but still mostly sunny so far this morning.  82 degrees at noon.

The ship in front is the P&O Azura.  Passenger capacity 3100 with 1200 crew.  P&O is British.

This is Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas at the pier behind us today.  Also 3100 passengers with 1200 crew.

        The smaller ship is actually same size as us.  It is Oceania's Insignia with 698 passenger capacity and 400 crew.  Mariner is 700 passengers with 445 crew.  Regent and Oceania are both part of NCL but the luxury brands.  Not sure what this is about but at 5pm our ship will have to relocate to a different pier.  Not sure where it is as not showing on Google Maps.  Last time we overnighted here we did not have to move.  We saw the Captain at lunch so I asked about having to move.  He said the RCL ship behind us will be sailing at 5pm and then we will move onto their position on the pier.  Oceania will move to where we are now.  This shell game is to allow a container ship to dock.

        After lunch I had a 1pm appointment to get my hair cut in the Spa.  I was getting very shaggy after more than 2 months since my last cut back in Durango.

           On the left is Tanja who is the personal trainer in the fitness center.  She is from Serbia

        Ruben, from India, is the one who cut my hair.  He had an interesting technique and I enjoyed talking with him.  After the cut he washed my hair and massaged my head.  Felt soooooo good!  Cost was $45 plus gratuity.  I really like my hair cut.

        This evening is another "Grand Deck Barbeque" on the pool deck from 6:30 to 8:30 followed by the "Rock the Boat Dance Party" there from 8:30 to 9:30.  We will not be attending either as do not like eating in the heat.  So we are meeting Susanne Peters in the Horizon Lounge for drinks followed by dinner in Compass Rose.  This is tonight's Compass Rose menu.

        There is also a movie at 9pm in the theater, "Molly's Game".  Not sure about going to it.  I know Rebecca won't.

        So I am scheduled to go on a 3 1/2 hour tour at 8:30 tomorrow, "Best of Barbados".  As I publish this post there are some rain showers in the area.  I hope it does not mess up the deck BBQ later.