Just as the Emerald Princess was docking in Bridgetown, it began to rain, and uncertain what the day would be weather-wise, we discussed rainy day options such as touring the Mount Gay Rum factory. But the rain soon stopped, and it looked like the day might turn out well. We immediately packed our bags for the beach and left the ship about 11:00am, intending to walk to Lobster Alive on Carlisle Bay Beach.
We had passed the usual gauntlet of taxi drivers outside the terminal and began our walk along the waterfront when we were made an offer we couldn't refuse for a taxi ride to the beach. There were several large puddles along the road, and I think we weren't anxious to be sprayed with muddy water from passing cars. It turned out to be an especially good break...we arranged with this driver to do an island tour the next time we're here. We liked him and we liked his van. I can scratch that "to-do" (figure out an island tour in Barbados for the February 5th cruise) off my list.
The Emerald Princess was the only ship in Barbados today, and Carlisle Bay beach was nearly empty. We got a front row umbrella and two chairs at Lobster Alive and settled down for the day. From the time we arrived there, it was hot and sunny the entire day. The beach vendors were suffering from the lack of concession business, but we enjoyed one of our best beach days of the winter. There is a huge difference between that beach when there are four ships in port and that beach when there is just one.
It stayed fairly windy today, and I had great success flying my kite. In fact, for the first time ever, I released nearly all the string...that kite was flying so high we could barely see it, and as I re-spooled the string, it stayed airborne until I grabbed it down.
It was also nice today to arrive late and not have to be back on board until 6:30pm. Like Bonaire, Barbados is a port where arriving at 7:00am and leaving early basically costs us half a day. We didn't leave the beach today until 5:00pm and walked the 30 minutes back to the ship.
Once in the terminal, I stayed for a few minutes using the free but slow wifi and G returned to the ship to get cleaned up for dinner. We didn't have a schedule this evening (there was just one show option tonight, What a Swell Party, in the Princess Theater), and so it was nearly 6:30pm when we arrived for dinner. We were famished (no lunch), and Sutti seemed thrilled that we actually ordered several courses tonight. Afterwards, we enjoyed four different live music options, starting with band Accent in the Explorers Lounge, then the Emerald Princess orchestra in the Wheelhouse, then Sol Provider in Club Fusion and finally the Emerald Princess orchestra again playing jazz in the Adagio Lounge.
It's after 11pm now, and time to make this post. That's the problem with some port days...I'm too tired at the end of them to be more descriptive about what we did
Photo 1: G with Terri and Frederick, trying to drum up business for a snorkel tour
Photo 2: Lobster Alive. It was deserted today!
Photo 3: Look how blue that water is. It's also crystal clear. We think this is the best beach we visit on these two itineraries.
Photo 4: walking back to the ship late in the day
Photo 5: Jazzio in the Adagio