Lookin' for something really different?

[Aplmac]

If you make your way into Bridgetown to shop

you might also consider going over the Bridge and under the Arch

have a drink/lunch at Waterfront Cafe

and continue-on down that side of the river, past the sport fishing boats

until you get to the old screw-dock.

 

There are/were only two of these screw-docks in the world

- the other one's in Singapore!

 

Ours is neglected and disused these 30 years or so

but for mechanically-minded blokes

who like a bit of Glasgow cast iron machinery with stampings on it

and other fun stuff like that, this might be of interest.

 

NOT your average tourist interest of course

but there you go.

[Aplmac]

Is no-one interested in our Submarine tours?

 

Attached is a pic I got today

showing our modern tour-submarine being towed back into port

(rear-first as usual).

 

Nothing's wrong with it:

this is the end part of its usual daily routine,

it's towed out to the dive site in the morning,

does several dives out there

and then is towed back in.

 

That's what you're seeing here,

as I passed by on a Harbour Master coastal cruise

- on our way back in,too.

 

-------

That's Carnival Destiny

and Pullmanturs Holiday Dream

in the background

[Aplmac]

Bill Mallalieu used to rally Barbados with my Dad,

back in the 1950's and onwards.

 

Bill has an amazing collection of about 20 interesting vehicles

in his garage at Pavillion Court, in Hastings, very near to T.G.I.Friday's

 

There's a Korean War Willis Jeep in there..

along with several classic cars - Allard, Austin, Wolseley, Bentley's etc.

one or two of them used in movies.

- gorgeous stuff even the ladies will ooh and aahh over!

 

If you're into cars like he is,

he'll entertain you for a good hour or so

as long as he has the time.

He also runs a real estate business right there

so the length of your visit will depend on his busy/not schedule!

It's not a cut-and-dried thing you can book ahead, okay?

It's just a hobby of his that he shows off

to interested persons who seek out his collection.

The number to call is...(246) 426-4640

to set up a time.

[LuvMyVette]

Aplmac:

I love the screw dock photos. Someone posted similar pictures on webshots and I was fascinated looking at them and trying to figure out what they were for. How long of a walk is it to see this?

 

Thanks so much for helping many of us, including me, trying to plan our time in Barbados!

Sea ya!

[Aplmac]

Aplmac:

I love the screw dock photos.

Someone posted similar pictures on webshots and I was fascinated looking at them

and trying to figure out what they were for.

How long of a walk is it to see this?

 

Thanks so much for helping many of us, including me, trying to plan our time in Barbados!

If you're already in Bridgetown shopping area,

it's across the other side of the river. Not far.

 

Nelson's statue at the top of Broad Street (our main drag)

will point the way to the bridge with the Arch at its far end.

Head for the arch and turn right,off the bridge,

and you're very near the pleasant WATERFRONT Cafe.

 

Keep heading in that direction.

Ask for directions to where the Coast Guard station used to be

(they just moved!) - the old Dry Dock is easiest accessed

via their old compound at the end of CAVANS LANE.

 

Up to a few weeks ago, you could drive straight in

I'm not sure if that'll be still the case, by the time you get here.

Such dockside areas don't lie idle for too long

before someone snaps them up for some other use.....

[LuvMyVette]

Aplmac:

Great.. thanks so much! Definitely have to get over there to see this!!

Sea ya!

[Aplmac]

Although this is a nocturnal coastal cruise that few day-cruisers can take advantage of,

I'm posting this for visitors who are either staying at a Hotel on the island for a few days,

or whose cruise-ships are overnighting, as some do.

 

To make the point, BRAEMAR was in port when we left at 7 p.m. last evening

and they were still there when we returned all jollied-up at 11 p.m.

so those Braemar cruisers could easily have taken this pleasant, cool coastal cruise with us,

under the full moon!

 

Harbour Master normally does daylight coastal cruises from 11 - 3:30

but on Thursday nights and on weekends they also do night cruises!

There's a whole local culture floor show on board (see pix)

along with a four-man band, their usual great food including tasty desserts

and a good time is had by all!

 

For those who can't take much sun, this night cruise is a cool blessing

(count me in on this!), where you can sit out on their spacious top deck

and chill out with a 'Pink Ting' in your hand

(1oz. of Vodaka, 1 oz. of Coconut Rum, mixed with assorted fruit juices,

it is smoooth! - even if I do need to beg off the 2 ozs. of joy-juice

and ask the barman to mix me a Pink Ting Lite)

 

So if you're on the island for awhile -or overnight- this could be it!

Anniversary? Birthday? a group celebration?

This could be it!

_______________________________________

[Aplmac]

Not that there's any big avian variety on the island

but there is some birdwatching to be had during the winter months

when migratory species are passing through or resting here

 

Few days ago I was passing Chancery Lane Swamp

and took a look..

There were waders(Greater Yellowlegs) and White herons around

 

 

and a number of local 'Coots'

\

 

...................

 

 

Graeme Hall wetlands is another possible location

-East of the now-closed G.Hall Sanctuary no longer economically feasible

 

 

.

[Aplmac]

In support of my Post No. 1 above

here are two photos I found...of (the remains of..)Blackwood's Dock

 

 

 

 

and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

[Aplmac]

.

A trip to the Barbados airport will bring you up close to the Concorde Experience

where this fabulous aeroplane is housed in an air-conditioned hangar all its own

 

 

_________________________________________

 

 

 

And after you're done, you're not that far away from the equally-fabulous CRANE Beach Hotel

with its amazing view of the shoreline from up top the cliff..

 

 

so you might do that as well

and really have something to brag about at dinner, when you're back on board! :D

.

[Dagny]

Great thread - keep em coming!

[agni]

Hi aplmac,

I'm an avid cricket lover from India. Are there any tours to meet all time greats such as Sir Garfield Sobers. I know there is one in Antigua (Cricket legend tour, They say you get meet one of the greats Vivi, Mike Holding or Andy Roberts).

Thanks

Sai