Friday, March 13, 2009
Last Morning in Barbados
This was our last morning in Barbados. Penny, an old friend of Josef's who lives in Barbados was to join us for our sail out to The Grenadines. So this was my last chance to take some pictures in and around the marina where we were berthed.
A coconut palm with an unripened coconut.
The customs house/office building at the marina.
Looking north-west from the bridge
White flowers against a blue shy
The bridge rimmed with purple flowers, and a palm tree
Annie and Vanessa on deck having a fruit drink before we set off for sail.
The S/Y Volterra docked, with hatches open
Close-up of a block of coral rock that lined the beach
Josef at the wheel with Matthias in the background
Penny and Josef
Jennifer ties up the boat fenders as wet set out from Barbados
Matthias and Jean-Claude put up the main sail
The mainsail hoisted
It wasn't long before Annie, Vanessa and I started feeling queasy. We took some medication but it didn't do the trick for us; the girls were repeatedly seasick and I came down with a nasty migraine. Penny couldn't go below decks without feeling ill so she slept out under the stars on deck. It was the first long sail for myself and the girls -- the first of many, though thankfully this was the longest single sail over the course of our trip.
Labels: Barbados, Jean-Claude, Jennifer, Josef, Matthias, Penny, St. Charles Marina, yacht
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Visiting the Mount Gay Rum Distillery, Barbados Day #2
In the morning we headed off to the next major town south from the yacht, which was Holetown. We stopped off at a small place that sold arts and crafts to tourists. Annie used her allowance to buy herself a small mermaid doll, which was a real hit. I bought a hat to keep out the sun, and we saw this tree containing masses of huge, fleshy flowers, apparently called a "Cannonball Tree".
A "cannonball" flower. We were told that the tree it came from was one of only three on the island of Barbados (turns out they originally come from South America. We were told this this example was one of only three on the whole island.
A view of the actual tree it comes from
An extended branch about to bud multiple flowers
Me with a new hat
Riding the bus on the road heading south towards Bridgetown
After a lengthy walk from our bus-stop in the hot mid-day sun, we made it to the Mount Gay Rum Distillery.
The sign outside the distillery
Our very animated (and good) tour guide
An old Pot Still from the original refinery, dating back to the 1760s.
A Coffey Still Rectifier, which is more typical of the modern distillation process.
Erika and Jennifer preparing themselves to smell the high proof rum
A moment later
Sampling various rum-based drinks at the conclusion of the tour
Vanessa enjoying a cold, non-alcoholic, drink at the Mount Gay bar
Labels: Barbados, cannonball tree, Holetown, Mount Gay Distillery, rum
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
First Day of Vacation: Barbados Day #1
Had an uneventful flight heading down from Toronto to Barbados on the Air Canada flight down. Once we got past customs we found our way to a taxi van which was driven by a delightful woman driver who took us on a scenic (and oddly, more direct) path to the yacht club at the south western part of the island. On the way there we saw palm trees with coconuts, kids playing outside their schools (each in the own distinctive and colourful school uniforms), breadfruit trees, and many other sights of rural Barbados. Afterwards we regretted not getting her name and taxi number, as she was very friendly and clearly liked Annie and Vanessa.
We made it to the yacht which was anchored at the Port St. Charles marina, close to Speightown, which is in the north eastern part of the island.There we met Erika's sister, her Father and the crew: Jean-Claude (who is captain when Erika's father isn't on the boat) and the first mate, Matthias.
The cove we were in had a nice snady beach on the other side from where the boat was docked, so after we had unpacked and settled in, the girls got out their swim gear and I got out my camera gear. ;-) Here are some of the shots I took:
I love palm trees. (This ended up being my Facebook "Picture of the Day" for the 365 Group).
Did I say I loved palm trees?
The S/Y Volterra that seems dwarfed by the motor yacht moored beside it.
Head of a flying fish found on the beach.
Vanessa and Annie swimming in the shallow bay at the Marina
Labels: Barbados, flying fish, palm tree, S/Y Volterra, St. Charles Marina, vacation
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