January 9th Barbados West Indies

Matt didn't feel so well today, he has a slight sinus infection. So I
got up early by myself and went to the gym while he slept in. By this
time the Newlywed Show is playing on a loop on the activities channel
on the cabin tv's, and everyone knows who I am. I got a lot of
different feedback from people, everyone enjoyed the show and had more
questions. Someone will recognize us and get the attention of the
people they are with and point and smile, lots of, "is that them,"
and, " Oh yeah! That's that one couple!" By this time, I'm starting to
get a little annoyed. These people are like the verbal paparazzi! We
are already in port at Barbados. This place is a lot different because
the ship port isn't right in town like the last two places have been,
here you have to get on a bus and it takes you about 2 minutes to the
end of the port area. We are greeted by a steel drum band! I like it
already. There is a shopping mall right where the buses drop you off
but nothing very good there, except for the Liquor store, which we buy
a fifth of absolute mango for $13 which I have never tried and fill
our huge water bottle with it...shame on us. But the price of the
fifth is a price of a cocktail on the ship. Even though we made
friends with the cruise director who has already bought us about $200
dollars worth of alcohol and a very nice dinner, we are starting to
feel bad. Barbados is much more developed than the last two places
due to a more strict and better set up government. There are
government officials everywhere in light brown uniforms. We were also
informed you could not wear camouflage here or you would be sent back
to change. The streets and buildings are very clean here. We find a
lady taxi driver and she wants $200 dollar for 3 hours of driving us
around, Matt is a great bargainer and got it down to $120, she was
pretty pissed but we didn't really care. We skipped breakfast today so
we could be hungry for some Barbadian cuisine. We went to a place
called The Tides, which we read in our book is the best restaurant on
the island. The restaurant is beautiful! It was made of stone and was
right on the water. The place was all open so the cool breeze coming
through felt great. Our taxi drivers nephew actually worked there so
she got to hang out with him while we ate. We were told to eat before
we got hungry because the service in Barbados is island time plus 30
minutes, we found this out quick. First they sat us in a lounge area
in the bar so we got some fruity cocktails. We hung out in there for
about 30 minutes...oh and we were the only people in the restaurant so
far. Finally they come to seat us outside, we got the best spot in the
place. Right on the water, I could taste the salt of the sea. It was a
beautiful day too, 87 degrees and sunny. This place was very British
and proper. I went to the restroom and when I got back my napkin was
folded...very British. This meal was phenomenal! We started with
appetizers, shrimp, oysters, and crab spring rolls...every single one
was rave worthy. Then for main course I got a tuna salad which was
great but I was so full so I boxed it up to eat on the ship later,
much better then the ship food! Matt got the catch of the day which
happened to be barracuda! Neither of us had eaten it before and it was
very tasty. I wish they had barracuda in Seattle. If we come back we
will eat there again for sure. Then we drove around the island for a
bit, our driver took us to the oldest church in Barbados which was
built in 1628! It was fascinating in a creepy sort of way. The yard
around the church was surrounded with tombstones, there was even a guy
buried in the wall of the church, how creepy is that. This island is
much more tropical than the other places. Now we felt like some sun so
we headed to a place called The Boatyard, this is the place where most
of the boat staff go to and the taxi driver said it gets pretty rowdy.
It was a fun little spot, except for the $15 per lounge chair, yeah
right. We just laid on our towels. They had a bar which was blasting
music and having dance contests for free drinks. We didn't hang out in
there much, I just felt like working on my tan and swimming. You know
how you can never float on your back for long in a pool, well in this
water you float like a feather because of all the salt, interesting
fact. We will have to remember that spot when we come back on want to
get a little rowdy. Today is a short day, we got here at 9 and have to
be back at 4. I wasn't too happy about that because this place was
really nice. Another time. This place is beautiful, our taxi lady was
a bitch though but I didn't let her ruin this visit. On our way back
to the ship I bought a shot glass that has the island of Barbados and
some flowers on it, the Canadian couple said they collect shot glasses
from everywhere they go. I really liked that idea, I didn't buy any at
Antigua or St. Thomas but will just have to cheat and get some
online.I have a body treatment at 4:45 today which I am stoked for! I
can't wait to be pampered. A lime and ginger full body scrub, pro-
collagen Facial, foot reflexology(which I have never done) frangipani
scalp massage(whatever that is)and one hour in the sauna and steam
room. This should be fun! My treatment was amazing! Actually one of my
best experiences at a spa. Their steam room was incredible too, and I
love steam rooms. I sat in there for about 30 mins with a great view
of the ocean. Matt and I have some time to wind down before the night
begins. Matt bought me a beautiful swarovsky necklace in the shape of
a moon today, I love it! What a sweet heart. There is a comedy sketch
improvisation show tonight called Second City, a lot like who's line
is it anyway. It was a good show. I laughed a lot. Then we head up to
the Spinakker Lounge for another comedian, I forgot his name. He was
from NY and had a lot of one liners. I can barely remember one joke
let alone 400! He had some good ones, but he had some really bad ones
too. Next we head to Bliss Lounge for a couple drinks, nothing too
crazy, we have a big day tomorrow in St. Maarteen!