Barbados- 20 & 21 January 2024

We woke to see Barbados for the first time In the light. It was quiet and we were gently rolling. The bay was quite large curving with a reef at the south end on which you could see turquoise breaking waves. There was a beach from the south which curved round toward the deep-water port (you could see a few cruise ships docked) and the fishing marina and a creek which seemed to disappear into the town. Dotted around the beach were various colourful buildings and a few palm trees.

It looked different and we saw some orange racing buoys being put out some racing must be taking place. We had a good breakfast of bacon and eggs. We hauled up the anchor (it’s called a Windlass and electrically winds up the chain) and we called the signal station to get permission to proceed to the deep-water port. However despite what they had told us the night before they said there was no room for our boat and we would have to come by dinghy. We therefore had to re-anchor and Peter and I went by dinghy. We decided to go to the fishing marina rather than go right round to the deep-water harbour which was quite a long way. We found a spot and walked toward the deep-water port and we had to go through security. When the man heard we were English -he was glad and said we like the English but not the Germans! We had to first go to the Port Heath and check in, then Immigration and Customs and then finally the port check in.  This took a couple of hours and we were finally checked in. The officials were friendly and welcoming and especially grateful that I had made a number of crew lists which made the form filling easier.

We returned to Stormbird (after having a small beer which we felt we had earnt) to find the guys cleaning and stock taking. We could now go ashore and decided to head towards the Barbados Yacht club which was not far and where we thought we would get a drink. The landing on the beach was tricky with some of getting a little wet and we hauled out the dinghy. We had a beer at the Yacht club – Banks Beer is the local brew and as the menu did not look great so we decided to go to the Lobster Bay restaurant where Robbie’s wife Sarah had come to meet him. We walked along the road which was busy and there are lots of small bus vans, driving fast and beeping their horns (they ferry people around quickly and cheaply) and a selection of odd and old cars. There clearly is poverty here with run-down buildings and shacks as well as more modern buildings. We passed an old church (1899- made of stone) and the prime ministers office. After about 20 minutes we came to the restaurant which was lovely and we sat under umbrellas on the sand with a view of the sea and the bay. The sand and the beach here are lovely. Robbie was glad to see Sarah and we had a great meal with more Banks beer. The fish was Barracuda and was delicious with some spices and our meal cost about US $50 a head. It had felt as if we had arrived in the Caribbean. The weather comes and goes. It is quite cloudy and there is the odd rain storm or it is lovely and sunny but it is always warm.

We said goodbye to Robbie and Sarah and took a taxi back to the dinghy. Launching it was tricky and we all got a bit wet. We returned to Stormbird to relax and had thought of going out again. However we decided to stay on board and had some nibbles and wine and an early night. There were a number of boats out with tourists just slowly moving about the bay playing loud reggae music at 10+ volume. Some of it was ok but the rest…   We went to bed being serenaded.

21 January 2024

It was quite a rolly night and the music did not stop until 6.45am. I did not get much sleep. Mark and Keith took the rubbish ashore which we had yet done from the Atlantic and it was now smelling badly having been buried in the anchor locker. They tried to use a jetty and were turned away so had to go to the creek and up to town.

Peter, Ian and I cleaned up and did some washing. No sooner had I put it out to dry the heavens opened and it was washed again !!. We had a morning of chilling and Keith had to get off to meet his wife so we would be down to 4. Ian was meeting some friends for lunch. We therefore all left together for the town and you go up a creek to Independence Square where a number of motorboats are moored. There are a number of old colonial buildings along the creek and some boatyard work which is where they keep the tourist boats and those who come out to make noise around us! Keith left and the rest of us wondered into town. It was a Sunday so little was open but we found a nice bar with cold beer with a balcony overlooking the street. We had a couple of drinks and then Ian left for his lunch so Peter, Mark and I ordered some food. Mark had chicken wings with  a rich rum sauce and which was soon around his face as he enjoyed it as if he was still young, Peter had fishfingers but proper fish not the frozen type and I a fish wrap which was delicious. We thought we would try some rum as you do and hade a Mount Gay rum and coke. We were lucky to have found this place and it was just right for what we needed.  

We returned to the boat and read etc. Mark rescued a jet ski which had broken down and he then went on to collect Ian. The music boats had started and it was time for a sundowner.  Mark made some rum punches which were great and we had a light supper being bombarded from 3 sources of different music. We certainly are in the Caribbean!!         

The blog will continue as we explore Barbados and beyond.

f you have any comments or suggestions about the blog do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com  I can only upload one picture a day.