2014-April 17, Barbados (8:30-4:30) :

  This is a port we've been to before, but that time I didn't think there was snorkeling from the shore so I went on a photography tour.    

  This time, I read there was good snorkeling from the shore at Folkestone Marine Park.  So we walked off the ship about 8:30 and were on our way to the taxi line when one of them came up to us.  RT to Folkestone (about 30 minutes north) was about $27@.  He offered a tour for $100 including dropping us off and picking us back up later from Folkestone.  We didn't have $100 cash, so offereed him $80.  He accepted and we were off on our private tour.  It was a nice but short tour.  I had hoped to see the Scottish area again and Bathsheba, but he stayed strictly on the northwest side.  Guess I can't blame him for the price we paid the the cost of gas (I think it was about $2.50/liter).  We still saw some pretty sights!  Like this beach, I think it's Payne's beach.

More of Payne's beach.

He also took us into a neighborhood of celebrities. 

 And quaint little villages.

I recognized this form of house from my photography tour last time---Chattel house.

 Or is this Payne's beach?!

Near Folkestone was a historic old church

front of the church

the cross

 another cross

 It was about 10 when we got to Folkestone Marine Park.  We asked him to come back for us about 2.  They had recently renovated the area around the park---new lockers, store, rock wall by the beach and a new concrete walkway along the beach.    Hardly anyone there, lifeguard, lots of shade, beautiful water!---it was fantastic!

There are suppose to be sunken ships off shore a ways.  I assume that's where those other boats were anchored by.  

Looking out at the reef.

The gift shop and lockers building on the right.  I'm not sure what the building to the left is.   There was even a large restroom and outdoor shower to the left of this picture.

Snorkeling was fun, too.  Note how crowded it was!

 heading in!

looking back towards the new rock barrier.

a parrot fish

a wrasse and a parrot fish

the parrot fish, surgeonfish and another damselfish

a school of blue tang

 another species of parrotfish.  There were a lot of parrotfish here.

some sore of jack?

a hogfish 

 sergeant fish

After a couple hours, we got out.  I would have gone back in, but didn't want to be soaked when the taxi driver came back.  So I took a walk along the new walkway.
To the right

Back towards the lifeguard station

to the left

another view of the new walkway and rock retaining wall looking back towards Folkestone.

A short ways to the left was this cute beachfront Italian restaurant.

 When I got back from my walk, our driver was there.  We went straight back to the ship.  AFter a quick shower and snack, it was time for another sailaway and sunset.

It was formal night again.  We semi dressed up and decided to eat outside behind the Lido restaurant and have a pic nic.  It was really nice and quiet!  We were the only ones out there.

Then we decided to go to another movie.  This time we saw "Hours" with recently deceased Paul Walker.  It was an interesting fictional movie about a father who struggles to keep his infant daughter alive in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.  We even enjoyed free popcorn with our movie.
We had 30 minutes to kill after the movie and before the Showtime presentation, so we went to the Crows Nest again and ordered more Happy hour drinks. 

 At 10, we went to the showtime presentation "Goode Company"-a fun sit-com with music from the 60's, 70's, and 80's by the cast of the Maasdam Showroom at sea.   this was probably my favorite show.

Then it was time to call it a day.

Although the port is nothing to look at, I am very impressed with Barbados---especially the scenery on the East coast.   I also  can't believe there weren't more people at Folkestone Park and surrounding area!  It's definitely a Gem!  I wouldn't mind doing a land vacation here!