Having lost count of how many times we have visited Barbados, we don’t have any desire to travel far today. Indeed we could do nothing, like our last visit, however that was enforced upon us in January 2022 by the island’s covid restrictions so we definitely don’t need to repeat that this year. We’re still in need of exercise though, and plan to leave as soon as the clearance is given.
Big mistake - usually we arrive in port quite early and then guests trickle off after they’re finished breakfast. Today is a later arrival and seemingly all 350 are queuing to get off even before we’re cleared by the authorities, so we remain onboard and get in a few laps whilst watching the three other ships in Bridgetown harbour - one of which we quite fancy - it’s the new Ritz-Carlton Yacht Club line and looks fabulous.
Later we walk off with ease, ignore the courtesy bus and walk the length of the harbour wall back to the terminal. Once out the other side we run the gauntlet of taxi-drivers and continue - at least we know exactly where to go and show no signs of weakness (looking at a map is guaranteed to attract their attention!)
We pass Independence Square, thinking it might have been updated to reflect recent events, but no changes are recorded here yet. Of course we see the new flag all around, boldly broadcasting that the island is no longer attached to Britain.
Walking on past the prime minister’s office, and then the garrison which is also home to the island’s racecourse, we see the glorious beaches around Carlisle Bay, the Hilton, and then onto the boardwalk to enjoy the area, before commencing our return.
A few historical buildings catch our attention, the saddest one being the Empire, built 115 years ago and now just a shell. Successive governments have promised to restore this iconic theatre but it seems less and less likely to happen now.
We exceed our ten mile target, and feel justified to have hamburgers for lunch, later than usual, before hitting the Sun loungers and pool. Chatting with fellow travellers, it’s apparent that the taxis are becoming a nightmare, and we hear numerous tales of high fees for little result - essentially extortion - US$40 per hour was mentioned by several.
We get to test two new cocktails, both margaritas - one with orange, passion fruit & mint, the other avocado & Grand Marnier.
Pre dinner we chat with Erin, the ship’s guest photographer who is onboard to teach people how to use their smartphone cameras better. We invite her to dine with us poolside and enjoy a rich variety of conversations, as well as pasta, garlic shrimp, vegetable curry and beef short rib.
We have to swerve puddings in order to get to Matt and Jahz’s second performance, which is every bit as good as the first one.
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