#93 Barbados

We've been to Barbados twice and both times we did the same thing with the same tour company. It was just so cool the first time we had to do it again. It was really cool the second time too!

We were in Barbados on Valentine's Day this year. What could be better? I used to hate Valentine's Day, but the last few have been pretty great. We booked the excursion on the cruise ship to go on a Tiami 5-star catamaran cruise to swim with turtles and snorkel. The Tiami sailboats are big and beautiful and the crew is excellent. We were excited to spend the day on the water.

We were not disappointed. It was a gorgeous day. The water in Barbados is the most beautiful color and it was fairly calm. The sail was raised and we were off. It was just great. I don't even really know how to describe it. There is just nothing like being on a big catamaran sailboat in the Caribbean. The atmosphere is jolly (when the weather is good - remember St. Lucia?), the people are friendly, there's music and sun and it's just good.

We sailed to the area where the turtles usually are. It was pretty easy to find because there were a lot of other boats and people in the area. T and I didn't snorkel, but the turtles swam near the boat and we were able to see them pretty well. MT was in the water and he really enjoyed it. Although the turtles did come near our boat, I was unable to get pictures of them this year. There didn't seem to be as many this year as in 2006. Of course, there could be a lot but I just didn't see them.

After the turtle swim, the crew took the boat near the beach and in a major difference from last time I was there, they actually anchored the catamaran on the beach so you could get out and wade to shore! Hooray!! The snorkelers got to swim near a shipwreck site, and I just splashed around near the beach. It was excellent! The water was clear and warm and calm. T wasn't wearing his swim trunks (why?) but he did get off the boat and walk around a little.

After the swimming (MT was in the water a lot that day; he did a lot of snorkeling!), the crew fed us a delicious lunch of fried flying fish, Caribbean mac & cheese, rice, chicken and salad. In addition, the bar was open so the drinks were flowing. I took it easy, but there were some really drunk people on that boat when we got back to port.

After lunch we sailed back to Bridgetown. The three of us spent most of the ride back up on the deck in the sunshine, admiring the shore and the water and enjoying the day. There was quite a large group of Brazilians (?) who took the spot under the canopy where we'd been sitting in the shade on the way out, so T was a little put off by that, but mostly it was good.

I didn't take many pictures that day because I was just enjoying being on the water.

Sometime we'll go back to Barbados and we'll do something else. I'd love to see more of the island, but honestly, those Tiami cruises are awesome fun!

Notes on pics: 1) MT took this photo of T & I on the catamaran 2) Lots of people looking at the turtles 3) Legend of the Seas on the Bridgetown dock