In January 2001 we flew out of London Gatwick airport (UK) and stayed overnight at The Manor Farm B&B. That evening we popped over to "The Fox revived" for a couple of drinks and a meal.
The Following day we flew out with the Brittania airline on route to the Caribbean Island of Barbados.
Soon after landing in Barbados we boarded the Thompson cruise ship, S/S Emerald. After unpacking in our cabin we attended the lifeboat drill. We then met our fellow table guests at dinner.
After a day at sea our first port of call was the island of St Marteen.
Our next port of call was Portsmouth in Dominica.We strolled into town, there was not a great deal to see, except the wreck of an old ship.
Our final stop was St Lucia, we jumped into a taxi and headed to Rodney bay and spent the day sunbathing and swimming. We had lunch at "Spinnakers" and a drink at "The Cat's Wiskers"
The following day was docked back in Barbados and made our way to The Mango Bay Hotel.
We made our way ashore and had lunch at "The Greenhouse" and spent the afternoon at the adjoining beach.
Our next stop was Road Town, Tortola in the British Virgin islands. We took a tour of the island with our drive/guide "Sylvester" who drove us to the highest point of the island which have spectacular views of Tortola and the other Virgin Islands.
The Island of Antigua was out third stop. We walked into town and visited the Cathedral and local market.
In the afternoon we boarded "The Jolly Roger" pirate ship for an afternoon of fun, frolics and the local rum.
Our final stop was St Lucia, we jumped into a taxi and headed to Rodney bay and spent the day sunbathing and swimming. We had lunch at "Spinnakers" and a drink at "The Cat's Wiskers"
The following day was docked back in Barbados and made our way to The Mango Bay Hotel.
Barbados.
The Mango Bay was a beautiful hotel sitting right on the beach in Holetown. The hotel’s relaxed elegance set the perfect tone for our getaway.
On our first day we met a couple, Nora and Paul, from Worcester, UK, who were to become firm friends.
We hired a Taxi and guide, Vaughan, who took us on a tour of the Island. We visited the Atlantic side of the Island which was a complete contrast to the Western coast.
The following day we hopped on a local bus with Norma and Paul and headed into Bridgetown. The Ladies went shopping and the boys went to the cricket.
The Next day we decided to go to the horse racing at Garrison Savanah.
It was exhilarating day at Garrison Savannah, Barbados’ historic racecourse. The vibrant atmosphere was palpable as locals and visitors alike gathered to enjoy the island’s love of horse racing. Set against the backdrop of lush greenery and colonial-era buildings, the racecourse had a unique charm.
We placed modest bets, soaking in the cheers from the grandstand as the powerful horses galloped across the track. Between races, we wandered around, sampling local street food and chatting with friendly spectators. It was an exciting, fun-filled day, perfectly blending sport, culture, and Barbados’ laid-back vibe.
This turned out to be a great day even though we did not pick any winners.
During our stay at the Mango Bay Hotel in Barbados, our friends Nora and Paul, the life of any party, threw us a lively leaving party on our last night. To everyone’s amusement, they’d mistaken their departure date, only to unpack and organize another farewell party the very next evening. Laughter filled the hotel once again! As if two parties weren’t enough, the day we were supposed to leave, our flight was cancelled. The result? A third, impromptu farewell bash that left everyone with unforgettable memories of fun and laughter!
On our final day we packed our case expecting to leave in the late afternoon, but we were informed by our holiday rep that our plane had been delayed for 24 hours, so we quickly unpacked and hit the beach.
