A GREAT EUROPE TRIP PLANNER: Bridgetown

Showing posts with label Bridgetown. Show all posts

6.13.2015

20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA...

Well, we didn't descend that far under water, but after completing our Atlantis submarine excursion, we did receive dive certificates confirming we had submerged 143 feet below the Caribbean Sea's surface.

We were really excited about the Atlantis submarine excursion. It was recommended to us by a relative, and it did not disappoint. We were picked up at the Barbados cruise port and driven to the Atlantis headquarters to board the boat which would take us out to meet the submarine. A very Caribbean-colored building...

We boarded the Ocean Quest and sailed out to meet Atlantis...

I wasn't sure what to expect. The boat stopped only about a half-mile from the shore. Everyone moved toward the front of the boat and waited...suddenly something started to emerge from the sea looking like a large beluga whale...

Periscope up!

Finally, we could see the entire submarine surface...

Our boat tendered alongside the submarine so the passengers currently on the submarine could board our boat, and we could descend into the submarine.

So we turned in our boarding passes...

And descended down the ladder to begin our excursion. In my next post I will share photos of our journey under the sea.

Thank you for visiting,

A Great Europe Trip Planner

All photos were taken by my husband and me during our visit to Barbados in April, 2015.

6.11.2015

THE CAREENAGE (IN PHOTOS)

The second port stop on our cruise was Barbados, an island we have always wanted to visit. After our submarine excursion (more on that in another post) we took a taxi into Bridgetown. Taxis from the port to town are even cheaper here than in St. Thomas ($5.00 one way). During my research for the Barbados port stop I saw photos of the wharf and promenade along the Constitution River or Careenage as the locals call it: where smaller vessels would careen (or tilt) for repairs) which runs through the center of town, and I knew I really wanted to see it.

Here are my favorite views of the Careenage area of Bridgetown...the photos this time.

The pedestrian-only, swing bridge over the Constitution River...

The boats docked in the lower part of the river.

The promenade along the river.

The view from the Bridge House restaurant.

Thank you for visiting,

A Great Europe Trip Planner

All photos were taken by me during our visit to Barbados in April, 2015.

6.07.2015

THE CAREENAGE (IN WATERCOLOR)

Thanks to reading Julia Willard's fantastic travel and photography blog, Falling Off Bicycles, I recently discovered the coolest app: Waterlogue. The app allows you to take a photo and create a beautiful watercolor painting out of it. This app allows me to combine two of my favorites things, travel and photography with the third: art.

The second port stop on our cruise was Barbados, an island we have always wanted to visit. After our submarine excursion (more on that in another post) we took a taxi into the town of Bridgetown. Taxis from the port to town are even cheaper here than in St. Thomas ($5.00 one way). During my research for the Barbados port stop I saw photos of the wharf and promenade along the Constitution River (or Careenage as the locals call it) which runs through the center of town, and I knew I really wanted to see it.

Using the Waterlogue app, here are my favorite views of the Careenage area of Bridgetown...

The pedestrian-only, swing bridge over the Constitution River.

The boats docked in the lower part of the river.

The view from the Bridge House restaurant.

The promenade along the river.

Thank you for visiting,

A Great Europe Trip Planner

All photos were taken by me during our visit to Barbados in April, 2015.
Waterlogue images created by me.

3.08.2015

UNDER THE SEA AND ON THE WATERFRONT IN BARBADOS

After a day at sea, our second port stop will be Barbados. This will be as far south in the Caribbean we will have traveled since our trip to Aruba in 2002. This stop is one of the reasons we booked this cruise...I have always wanted to visit Barbados.

We have booked our shore excursion for Barbados: We're going to descend 150 feet under the clear, turquoise Caribbean Sea aboard the Atlantis Submarine.

and view beautiful coral reefs, colorful fish and various other marine life...

Since this excursion is only 2½ hours long, this should leave us plenty of time to taxi into the capital town of Bridgetown.

Through the center of Bridgetown runs the Constitution River, The wharf and river walk area at the lower part of the river is known to the locals as The Careenage (where smaller vessels would careen (or tilt) for repairs)... © http://blog.aircanadavacations.com/beyond-beach-top-10-things-barbados/)

With the colorful buildings and restaurants along the promenade and impressive yachts, this area will provide many photos opportunities.
© http://www.easyvoyage.co.uk/barbados

The pedestrian-only Chamberlain Bridge, a swing bridge, spans the river between Independence Square and the National Heroes Square which features a bronze statue of British naval hero Admiral Lord Nelson.
© http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamberlain_Bridge

Across the street from National Heroes Square, the Parliament Building houses the third oldest Parliament in the British Commonwealth after Britain and Bermuda. It was founded in 1639 and the present buildings were completed in 1873...
© www.barbados.org

Originally consecrated in 1665, and then rebuilt in 1789 is St. Michael's Cathedral just a block from the Parliament Building. If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know I love old churches so this will be a must-see.

With the possible underwater sights on the submarine and waterfront sights in Bridgetown, our stop in Barbados is bound to be memorable!

Thank you for visiting,

A Great Europe Trip Planner