Homeless Dis'ers set sail *sound* on some posts

[edcrbnsoul]

NO characters...Blasphmy....

My son was getting tired one day at MK and wanted to go back to the hotel to swim so we were heading out and I stopped quick to watch Mickey Mouse, and being tired and cranky he said *GASP* "C'mon dad its only a stupid mouse" needless to say I made a Scene feigning a heart attack on Main Street USA clutching my chest falling to my knees telling him You are not of my blood and he's trying to stay mad but I could see the smile coming....it's not easy to embarass a 5 yr old but I manage.

 

[castlegazer]

Bwaaahhhhhaaa - I do the same thing, but it doesn't phase my son yet! Just he wait and see how good I am at embarrassing him!

I am really torn by this vacation decision thingy. I also did some finance stuff last night and am even more torn as we need new windows in our house. (read: DH putting reality into the mix) Hmmmm. I don't know if I can forgo a vacation to put new windows in.........

 

[goofy4tink]

Great hammock spot....room for more than one, I'd say. Let's see....nature hike sounds good as long as there are no giant spiders/bugs included!!! Ewww. And for lunch....that Pepper Pot looks kinda nice.

Great food, great place, great company....what else do you need in life? Nah, not windows!!!! This is NO place for reality.

 

[castlegazer]

So what's up for dinner tonight, guys?

I am starving after that hike. What a beautiful island!

There must be some really great restaurants in St. Georges

 

[edcrbnsoul]

There is a nice restaurant in the Flamboyant Hotel

 

[castlegazer]

OK - that's it! This island keeps getting more and more beautiful with each picture! I am off to get ready for dinner! I am off IRL to find a cruise that stops in Grenada!

 

[edcrbnsoul]

Good Morning Dis'ers and welcome to Barbados

Barbados is the most eastern island in the Caribbean, and is a tiny dot on most world maps with an area of 430 square kilometres. Barbados has a population of about 260,000 - which is quite high considering its size. With 97 kilometres of coastline, Barbados has much to offer its visitors in terms of water sports and beach activities: We expect you will be spending much of your day there.

When the sun sets and the beaches clear, the clubs and night zones spring to life with the island's exciting musical rhythms.
Barbados by night is zesty. Enjoy an early evening with a colourful dinner show under romantic starry skies, or grab a bite and a bit of indoor games at one of our sports bars.
If it is late night action you want, we have some of the best bands in the Caribbean, who work the hotel and club circuit. You can dance your way into the wee hours to our exotic, Caribbean rhythms.
Our cooling tradewinds and the star-filled skies promise you a truly tropical experience

 

[goofy4tink]

Ahhhhhhhhh. Can we stay here for awhile?? And will we be arriving in Boston on the 13th at Black Falcon term.?? What an entrance we would make. All nice and tan, drinks in hand, waving to those poor souls who never got onboard.

 

[castlegazer]

Thanks for bringing us to Barbados! On the last cruise I was on I was six months pregnant - as pregnant as they will let you be on a cruise. This fact alone made me a wee bit clumsy. I got off the ship in Barbados and took the little bus over to the terminal just fine - but when I was stepping down out of the bus I stepped down into a hole and severely spraigned my ankle. I was rushed back to the infirmary of the ship - x-rays were taken, and I was left in a wheel chair for the next three days of this elaborate cruise we had taken on Celebrity! I missed Barbados and Margarita Island in Argentina. I was able to suck it up for Aruba, though and go snorkeling but it hurt like a son of a gun.


OK - What's up for island touring today?

 

[edcrbnsoul]

I think this would be fun, not for the clostraphobic though
Harrisons Cave
Geographically located in the centre of Barbados, Harrison's Cave is a natural phenomenon, unique to the tropical world. Specially designed transport takes you down through the underground tunnels to a sight so beautiful, that few can compare. In the specially lighted caverns, view the majestic stalactites and stalagmites which have been growing from the floors and ceilings for many centuries. Cascading through the caves, the crystal blue waters form magnificent pools and waterfalls, filling the senses with sights and sounds of such pure wonder, that it is guaranteed to be the experience of a lifetime.

 

[castlegazer]

Oh, yeah! That sounds awesome! I loved spelunking in college and high school - I haven't done it since then!

 

[edcrbnsoul]

OK the caves were cool now I'm headed here:

Once you enter through the gates of the Barbados Wildlife Reserve, you are in the Animals' World. Most animals (except ones like parrots & pythons) are compatible and free to travel where they please. You may find them anywhere as they go about their daily lives, so, as you walk along... take your time... look up... look down... look carefully amongst the bushes and the trees in the mahogany woods. In this tropical haven, exotic animals, reptiles and birds, some threatened with extinction and some disabled, thrive. It's a community devoted to man's love and respect for nature as well as to research and conservation. No day is like any other when you visit the Reserve, walk through the shady paths and discover for yourself! It is important that you move quietly. These animals are not tame, and unexpected noises may frighten them away from you. See their world with wider eyes, hear their world with wider ears. Listen to their sounds. Sit on a bench and see what passes you by... you may be surprised

 

[suzannen]

Ed, this place looks awesome! I must say, though, that I'm glad the pythons are not "compatible and free to travel." Snakes are NOT my favorite, although I know we need them for our ecosystem, so I will try hard not to kill any I happen upon.

This is a really beautiful island.

 

[castlegazer]

Here are some photos of the caves - that was VERY cool.

 

[castlegazer]

I for one, with no offense to Ed and his eco-tourism, have seen enough monkeys for now. I am off to see another of the "Seven Wonders of Barbados", the two Jacobean Era Mansion. There are only three actually left in the western hemisphere and Barbados has two. I am a history and architecture buff so this will be fun - come along everyone who wants to.

St.Nicholas Abbey, located in the parish of St.Peter, was built in 1660 and is one of only three genuine Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemisphere. Barbados is home to two of these mansions ... St.Nicholas Abbey and Drax Hall.

Distinguishing features of this magnificent, well-preserved mansion are: curved Dutch gables, chimney stacks and coral stone finials, a Chinese Chippendale staircase and fine antiques and china. A rare 1930s film of sugar plantation life can also be viewed.

St.Nicholas Abbey is not without its tale of tragedy! The house appears to have been built by Colonel Benjamin Berringer. His neighbour, friend and business partner was John (later Sir John) Yeamans. When Yeamans began to pay attention to Mrs. Berringer, a feud erupted between Yeamans and Colonel Berringer, culminating in a duel in which Berringer was killed. Soon afterwards, Sir John married Mrs. Berringer and claimed the Abbey. A court ruling later returned the property to Berringer's children and the property was named after Berringer's grand-daughter who married George Nicholas.
Meanwhile, Sir John and Berringer's widow left Barbados in 1669 and helped found the colony that is South Carolina, USA, with Sir John eventually becoming Governor of that settlement in 1672. When he died two years later, his widow married again ... for the third time!

No one knows for sure, but it is generally believed that Drax Hall was built by the brothers William and James Drax in the 1650's. The brothers built Drax Hall as one of the earliest and biggest sugar properties in Barbados. They were a wealthy and well connected family that had a special love for Barbados. There were others like them, for Barbados prospered with sugar and its plantation owners held considerable influence at home and abroad.

It is classic Jacobean architecture, with steep gable roofs, corner finials, casement gable windows and a Jacobean staircase with its carved hall archway of mastic wood.

St. Nicholas Abbey in St. Peter and Drax Hall in St. George, two of the oldest buildings in Barbados, both built in the 1650's, stand as proud examples of the Jacobean tradition. Drax Hall is the oldest surviving Jacobean mansion in the Western Hemisphere. Only three of these mansions exit in the Western World, and it is Barbados' good fortune to have two of these treasures. The only other remaining structure being Bacon's castle in Virginia, U.S.A.

 

[castlegazer]

Hey guys, this is totally our type of Island listen to this:

Barbados has lots of drinks. It's a thirsty island. Around Christmas time you will find a wonderful drink made from the sorrel plant. This red cinnamon-like drink is served with and without alcohol.

Year-round you'll find the best rum punches in the Caribbean along with a popular drink called mauby, which is made from a bark soaked in spices. It has a bitter tang that is an acquired taste. And of course there is fruit punch and countless juices prepared from fresh fruits.

 

[edcrbnsoul]

Oh come see the monkeys...they do real cute potty tricks

 

[castlegazer]

I have a really good smily for that but I think I would get in trouble for it

I WAS referring to my monkey at home! I don't need to see any more of that - its just not as cute if its not your offspring!

 

[suzannen]

Okay, waiting for one of those rum punch drinks that castlegazer mentioned. Where is everyone - it's the cocktail hour (and I'm free from my biennial report and my board members - YEAH!). Will no one help me celebrate??

Too bad Berringer's widow isn't around - she sounds like a real party animal!

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks for the Jacobean mansions. That was really interesting. I also like history/architecture. Now, as to the 'very thirsty island'...my kind of place. Where's the hammock?