FAREWELL

The last three days of our youths' visit, writer Bill Eidson and his wife Donna, Eva's sister-in-law, joined us. When kids left Barbados and flew back home, we sailed with Donna and Bill over night to St. Lucia. It was smooth beautiful sailing, the boat gliding on the Atlantic swells, stars bright, new moon shadowing the sea.

FROM TOBAGO TO BARBADOS

In the E wind we would make it in one tack. But since the beginning of the season the ENE wind was persistent. After sailing the distance of 134 NM two days and two nights instead of half of that, we anchored in the Carlisle Bay just south of Bridgetown, the Capitol.

Half a million cruise ships tourists visit Barbados, so here is no shortage of jewelry stores by the cruise ship dock and on the main street of Bridgetown.
Tourism and banking are the main income of Barbados, but touring the island we realized they are not the only, sugar cane fields are endlessly stratching over the lowlands.
Barbados is the only Eastern Caribbean not volcanic island. It surfaced during tectonic plate movement and was built up with limestone layers. It's main attraction is Harrison cave.

Maya, Nina and our guide Andy

Another attraction is in St. Peter, Wildlife Preserve, the enclosure we shared with turtles, peacocks and other birds, deer and even a crocodile. The fence does not prevent African green monkeys from greeting you on the parking lot.

Maya: "Oh! A turtle just walked by me!"

Besides animals there were many interesting plants, among them spectacular blooming succulents

We also went on a short jungle trip. Most of the island was covered with forest before the arrival of settlers, who cleared the land to grow sugar cane. As we walked the paved path, monkeys curiously followed us, jumping from tree to tree

Roots for additional support in a muddy ground

Air roots

For the sea lovers east side of the island offers spectacular views.

Mushroom rock

On the west side Carlisle Bay is the only protected anchorage. We took a bus to Port St. Charles, man made lagoon with berths for residents of the surrounding town houses and condominions, and a few for the visitors.

When Eva's family visited, we sailed north to Spaightstown, but rocking in the north swell forced us to return the next day.

Barbados is not a sailors' island. Tourists, that stay in hotels are enjoying long sand white beaches, that line the entire west coast.

It is only a short distance to dinghy from the Carlisle Bay into the Capitol of Barbados, Bridgetown, navigating through the busy canal, the home port to many commercial boats.

Once you are under the bridge, you are in the lively atmosphere of the city. Bridgetown is colourful with large banks and shopping malls, open markets, fancy housing, and slums, where we were told not to go.

Men playing cards on the street

On the west side Carlisle Bay is the only protected anchorage. We spent most of kids vacation time there. The only dinghy dock is owned by the Boatyard Restaurant. For $10 US voucher per person we tight the dinghy there for the day, enjoyed white sandy beach and had a lunch. Beside good food the restaurant offered activities, fun for the kids.