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Barbados is named after the bearded fig trees found throughout the island. This coral island is known for its white sand beaches and warm people.
We went early to breakfast before the ship docked and then headed down to
the 0 deck hoping to be able to beat the crowds. I should have known better,
people were Wall to Wall waiting in the hallways and on the staircases, and
getting ticked thinking that some of the people were disembarking to visit the
port leisurely on their own and the ones with tour excursions tickets in the back of the
lineup were going to miss their tour bus. Arguments broke out, shoving became a
problem and a couple of ladies almost came to blows. Finally a crew member
appeared to try and get the crowd in order. First and foremost the stairwells
had to be kept clear in case of emergency and that meant that the people around
the elevators had to back up. He shouted several times in an urgent tone “back
up, back up!” and we did but there were so many people who refused wanting to
hold their spot, it was like kindergarten children or a gong show. Finally he
asked for all those with a tour excursion ticket to hold it up which we did
along with others while the passengers without a ticket were still standing firm
in their quest to debark first. Holy crap, it got ugly. Eventually all the
people with tickets who were now an hour or more late for our time slot
were guided under a rope and down the stairs because the elevators were jammed
and wouldn’t go anymore. We got out of there fairly fast and once off the ship
we could see that we had a very long walk ahead of us to get to the terminal and
through the large building out the other side where the buses awaited. Luckily a
few of our excursion bus’es were parked waiting very close and we climbed on one
and sat in the front seat. Carnival cruise lines and probably others are going
to have to redesign their plan for debarking passengers and getting them through
the port terminals asap. I realize though that it won’t be easy as just about
everyone wants to get off the ship at every port of call. The problem must be in
their schedules of arranging the time slot for the excursions. We had no choice
of a time and simply took whatever time Carnival gave us. Maybe it would be
better if people chose their own time slot but then i don’t know if everyone but
me is an early bird. The problems that occurred this morning were probably
caused by the ships late arrival at this port and nobody knew if the shore
excursion bus drivers would understand. They were worried that not everyone
would get their tour. Sometimes a little communication would mean a lot but
apparently they don’t see any need to explain this to the passengers. Since i’ve
been on several cruises i sort of knew this and it’s probably common sense. I
think the pre purchased tickets would be accepted all day and the time listed on
it isn’t necessarily the time you have to go. Since they take the ticket from
you they’d count them and always stick around waiting to collect all that were
sold to the cruise line in order to collect their money. Even so i got caught up
in the frenzy because everyone was stressed out because of being in a mad crowd
situation including us.
Our tour bus departed with us on a full bus. One of the first things the driver
pointed out to us was where Rihanna’s home used to be. In fact they named the
avenue nearby her home after her. He also told us that Tiger Woods had married
there. Later he showed us a hotel with a penthouse suite that cost $20,000. for
one night. As well as others for $2000. per night and some that had very
expensive restaurants as well. I love getting celebrity and this sort of info
and just wish i could have gotten some photos but most were on the other side of
the bus.
It was a beautiful scenic trip he took us on, past sugar cane fields, a
goat ranch, chickens, property for sale info, the sugar cane production factory
etc. We saw where McD had an outlet that failed and they left there and a
thriving KFC took its place. Also passed Ashley furniture and an Esso station where
gasoline was $4. per gal. Most people gasped in horror except us who
remained silent as ours unfortunately costs more. We saw schools, government
buildings, fire halls, and much more.
Barbados is a beautiful island where they
drive on the left side of the road. Some of the roads were in bad shape and had
lots of sharp blind curves. Those curves really needed to have mirrors installed
so drivers could see if anything was coming. So far, they just blast their horns
in warning when approaching a dangerous curve. We arrived at our destination
which was the famous Harrison’s Caves. We were led into a building and down
several stories on an elevator where we got onboard a sort of a train like ride
that proceeded into the caves of stalactites and stalagmites. Our guide was a
nice young lady who explained how these caves were really very recent in the
overall making of the earth as they were formed hundreds of thousands of years
ago so just babies and not millions of years ago. The islands were formed by volcanos
which built up underwater and then over the centuries they raised up above the
water and constantly grew larger and are still growing.
She talked about how men made a pathway through the caves it in total
darkness. It must have been very spooky for them as water drips from the
stalactites and it must have been very weird to be rained on inside a cave. They
are also very hard and sharp but the men crawled in anyway. There were pools of
water here and there and some very high ceilings in some places. One area with a very high ceiling was called the Cathedral and people have been married at that spot. We were allowed
to step off the train a few times for pic taking opps and rode down a long way
and looped around back up to where we had started from, all the while feeling
drips of water landing on us which was rumored to be the fountain of youth. I
felt a lot of rain falling on me but not sure if i got any younger from the
experience. Inside the caves we saw another group making their way through but
by foot through the pools, and crawling through small passageways and actually
swimming through deep places. They looked tired and muddy but I think it was
their best experience ever.
Bird of Paradise
Harrisons Caves
Stalactites and Stalagmites
The guide said how to remember which is which the one with the c in it is hanging down from the ceiling and the one with the g in it grows up from the ground
Water was constantly dripping. It was weird like it was raining inside
The elevator that took us down to the entrance
Meanwhile back on the ship a little animal with eyes awaited us
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