004 - Barbados

PORT OF CALL:    Bridgetown, Barbados

DATE:  January 9, 2012                                                             

DAY #: 004

TIME IN PORT: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

EXCURSION CHOSEN:

Barbados-In-Focus:  A Photographic Expedition

Departs: 8:45 AM

Approximately 3-1/2 Hours

Price $69.00

You don’t have to be a photography expert to join top Bajan photographer Ronnie Carrington on this photography tour that travels through quaint and little known areas of Barbados. Both experienced photographers and novices with an interest in capturing magical shots will appreciate the artistic and natural aspects of this adventure. Air-conditioned transportation takes you through the countryside, passing colorful chattel houses, to rugged Bathsheba on the Atlantic coast. During your drive, Ronnie relates fascinating folktales and interesting anecdotes. Your route offers a wealth of photographic opportunities, from the Scotland District in the hilly interior to the foaming surf of the Atlantic. Please note: Beach chair, shared umbrella, use of lockers and showers are included.

I.                   COUNTRY:  BARBADOS

After a mishap with a plane years ago in St. Lucia, we (Jackie from Karl Suss Company and I and the folks who were on the Club Med vacation) were parceled out to hotels around Barbados to await repairs and for daylight to fly back to Canada.  Jackie and I were sent to the Cacrabank Apartments, small efficiencies right on the beach.  Later, I spent 10 days in Barbados, staying at the same place and driving all over the island, photographing the scenery and people and plants.  There are approximately 800 km of roads on the island, and I drove 500 of them (on the “wrong” side of the road).  I have several photos albums full of all the “must-see” places in Barbados, and on my walls are framed prints from Jill Walker of chattel houses.  The island is beautiful, especially along the Atlantic side near Bathsheba.  I really liked the meals with flying fish and plantains.  So, I was anxious to return to Barbados!

II.               EXCURSION EXPERIENCES & PHOTOS

Anita had chosen a different excursion and left earlier.  I walked off the ship and along the pier through the terminal with all the shops to the bus parking spot.  The bus was fairly small with about 30 seats.  Once all of us were on board, the driver took us through the outskirts of Bridgetown to our first photo stop.  It turned out to be a palm-tree lined driveway to an estate.  (not very exciting or picturesque in my opinion).  Then we headed off to the Scotland District, the rolling hilly interior.  The guide (the photo expert) explained how the land shifted after a big rain, some houses falling/sliding down the hillsides.  He stopped the bus at a small (ugly) chattel house and again for a distant view of the ocean.  Finally we arrived at Bathsheba on the Atlantic coast where we disembarked for a rest stop and photo shoot on the beach.  Then the bus continued to near the Atlantic House restaurant (where I ate lunch several times during my prior visit to Barbados).  There, the iconic rocks stood up from the beach, and we had a “rum punch” stop at a local bar. 

The photographer sang the rum punch song, and the first to repeat it received a prize.  I won a copy of one of his poems and prints for repeating:

One of sour; two of sweet

Three of bitter, four of weak.

That’s the recipe for rum punch – one measure of lime juice (sour); two measures of simple sugar syrup (sweet); three measures of rum (bitter); and four measures of water (weak).  I didn’t try any!

We returned directly to the ship without any more photo stops.  Some of the stops had just been “window” shots.  A brief stop on the side of the road, open the window, and shoot a few frames, and then continue. 

III.            THOUGHTS/IMPRESSIONS

Very disappointing.  In my opinion, we didn’t see any of the more famous sights on the island which would have been much more picturesque.