Dreadlock Holiday

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 11

Some fishing off Needham Point



Had a swim and a bit of a lie down, then headed back towards Bridgetown. Didn't go through the yacht club this time, walked the road until an opening at Pebbles





Most Northerly beach before Bridgetown, again lazed around had a dip every now and then

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 11

2 minute walk from Pirate's Cove, and arrive at Independence Arch, built for the 21st Anniversary of Independence





Walking over the bridge



Barbados Parliament building

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 11










Legends of Barbados Cricket store, went in and purchased a bat, when paying lady behind the counter gave me $40 US and asked me to buy a couple of bottles of vodka for her. Not really thinking much of it, yeah no worries. When walking to one of the duty free places was thinking to myself, this probably isn't right, and started to have reservations. Also thought, I could just take off with her money - not that I would. Then realized I hadn't taken the bay with me. In the end, hedged my bets and brought her 1 of the bottles, saying couldn't find the other bottle she wanted. Tip if anyone going through the Barbados cruise terminal, 2 shops opposite each other, $7 difference between the same bottle of vodka. Anyway, fella serving must have somehow known the vodka wasn't for me, no wrapping, no check of passport or ship key card. Went back to the shop, gave the lady her vodka and change, got my bat, and waited for the big duty free bust that I was surely going to be caught up in.

Back on the boat about 2pm, pigged out at the buffet, bit of a nap, then dinner. The show was something by the cruise entertainers, so didn't bother. Did get a towel animal though.


I really liked Barbados, but did leave with the feeling that I didn't use my time as well as I should have, and didn't see much of the island.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 12

St George's, Grenada

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 12

It was an early arrival, just before 7.00am, and excursions were taking off around 8/8.30, so very few people were getting off the boat. I was on an excursion that would get back just before the ship departed, so I used the hour or so I had to do some exploring.



Again, had to go through the obligatory Duty Free building, although nothing was open as yet





Sendall Tunnel leads you to St George's Harbour,or alternatively a path leads up to Fort George that stands on the hill overlooking the harbour. I decided to go upwards and get some views

 

[OZDUCK]

You appear to be getting some lovely walks in!

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 12

Some snaps around the harbour

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 12

Made my way back to the pier in wait for my tour. I overhead some fella talking about the Nutmeg/Chocolate tour on the day of boarding, and how you get to see a bit of the island, so I booked to go. Majority of the other tours were for diving, and I'm no Valerie Taylor.
Band at the waiting area was a nice touch



On the bus, Elvis Tours seemed to have the majority of business. Will never again complain about cramped quarters on a plane, this was a coaster bus with not the normal 3 abreast, but 4. Add the American clientele, with quite a few carrying a few pounds too many, and it was quite a snug fit, as well as a lengthy process getting everyone on and off at the stops. No seat belts, which had 1 of the ladies a little concerned, shouldn't have been as the way she was wedged in there was no way she would have been going anywhere.



Drive was quite scenic, not easy to get decent shots from the bus window however





Quite a bit of work going on with the housing, lot of Brit expats set up shop on the island

 

[OZDUCK]

Still very pretty scenery. Did you ever feel unsafe wandering around - or do you have to get "off the beaten track" to have problems?

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Still very pretty scenery. Did you ever feel unsafe wandering around - or do you have to get "off the beaten track" to have problems?

Felt not quite right walking around St Georges' in the morning, but it was early Sunday morning and there was hardly anyone on the streets, so more my mind being over active and me being on my own. I made sure I didn't spend too much time in the food market in St Lucia, didn't have a great feeling about that place, however nothing in the Carribean was as unnerving as how I felt at Pershing Square in Los Angeles.

 

[OZDUCK]

Felt not quite right walking around St Georges' in the morning, but it was early Sunday morning and there was hardly anyone on the streets, so more my mind being over active and me being on my own. I made sure I didn't spend too much time in the food market in St Lucia, didn't have a great feeling about that place, however nothing in the Carribean was as unnerving as how I felt at Pershing Square in Los Angeles.

Thanks for that. As I knew nothing about Pershing Square I had a quick search - you will be pleased to know that "reviews" say that the homeless problem in the square has improved over the last few years and it is generally a nicer place than it was. I guess that it was a good thing you didn't go there before - you may have not made it out!

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 12


Very proud of their gold medalist



Arrived at the nutmeg processing factory, it was a Sunday so not in operation, but tour group was allowed to go through



Weren't allowed to take photos inside, however took a sneaky when when leaving



Street scene



Another 10 minute drive and we were at the chocolate factory. First a walk through and some information about the cocao trees

 

[Justinf]

Malcolm Marshall. What a bowler. I copied his action when I was a young bloke.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 12

This was our guide for the tour, he was fantastic. Hardly stop feeding us information on the bus, through the nutmeg factory and at the chocolate factory.





Whole heap of other plants at the farm, ginger, garlic etc



Sour soup tree, high hopes for treatment for prostate cancer

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 12






Hi Tech operation




Drying beds, also where the beans are rolled by the workers feet to loosen the husks. Question was asked what happens when it rains - beds are on rollers and pushed under cover. About 5 minutes later, heavens opened and workers went in to action

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 12

Had same samples in the little store, they gave us a drink as well, brought some chocolate for people back home, may have got 1 or 2 for myself as well. Back on the bus, 1 of the larger ladies was spruiking that she was going to be making a complaint back on the boat, as she had been assured the walking component of the tour would be less than a mile. No way known we walked anywhere near a mile, was quite hot and humid, she was feeling it.
Some scenery on the drive back





Back to the pier with about 10 minutes to spare, was a 1.00pm departure, so straight up to the buffet



Obligatory cricket ground shot, built for the 2007 World Cup

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 12

Bonaire

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 12

Nice change, didn't have to walk through duty free shops


Streets of Kralendijk




Cuban restaurant had the flag at half mast for the recent passing of Castro


Although no duty free shops, locals had a decent set up with some stall, picked up a bottle of cactus rum

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 12

On to my tour, which was a wildlife and beach trip, 8 of us in the back of on old jeep.
1st glimpse of animal life



Lots and lots of cacti around, and the odd styled house



Flamingos were/are a heavy advertisement for the island, and the tour, this was about the extent of them



The next hour was quite underwhelming as we drove on dirt tracks, not seeing much of anything but cactus and the odd house



Finally got to a bit of a beach

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 13

Didn't seem that great a spot to have a swim, and were only there for about 5 minutes, enough time to have a wander and take some snaps