Day 7 Bridgetown, Barbados

Barbados…. One of my favorite beach spots, until now…. I have been doing favorable write-ups on Barbados for a long time and recommending that people go to the Boatyard, No more! I got off the ship this morning around 8:00 all packed and ready to go for a day at the Boatyard (beach). I was to meet a group of 12 friends there around noon for lunch and for them, a heavy afternoon at the Boatyard bar. Anyway, I went to catch a taxi even though it is walking distance since my foot is still injured. The taxi fare is $3/person in a shuttle van and (supposed to be) $10 if you are going alone. Anyway, I was alone since my friends weren’t joining me until later. Imagine my surprise when the taxi drivers insisted I pay $42 for a ride by myself….. $42!!!!! That just pissed me off to the point that I wouldn’t recommend this island to anyone. I started to walk and a very nice taxi driver, Chris, heard of my poor treatment and came to my aid. He told me to go out the gate and one of his guys, Apple, would give me a ride for the customary fare of $10. “The Big Apple” was great and soon I arrived at my exciting destination (or so I thought), The Boatyard. As my friends know, I have been coming here for years… At one point I was coming every week for a few months. I knew they didn’t open until 10:00 but I have always gone early, got settled, and paid my entrance fee once they were set up. The biggest drawback for me is that, as all my friends know, I only drink Diet Coke which is not available on the island of Barbados. I was all settled in taking photos (especially of a wonderful couple playing toss) when I was approached by one of the employees who told me I could not drink my diet coke on the property. I told him that if he had diet coke I would be more than happy to purchase my drinks from them. The bartender (and possibly owner) who was quit rude told me he had diet coke on tap. I asked him several times if he was sure because the island doesn’t carry it. He kept telling me yes until finally the truth came out and he told me that it was Coke Light which I don’t like. I told him I would take my drinks off his property and only drink them outside the Boatyard…. He said I couldn’t do that. He did say I could drink them if I paid $4/can corkage fee. At this point my inner voice was saying “what and idiot”, my outside voice was much nicer, I just told him that he was crazy and that was a complete rip off. So, that is how my day on the island ended earlier than usual. Fortunately, I got back to the ship before my friends went to the Boatyard….. Yeah!!!!! They would have probably spent at least $1000. Anyway, Barbados is not a place where I would travel to in the future. The next time I come on a ship I may stay onboard. I believe this island has lost its way…. At one time the people of Barbados were magnificent, like Chris & Apple. Is it a coincidence that Barbados has the word Bad in it? I no longer recommend Barbados as a destination. By the way, I had a terrific day! I did have a nice swim at the beach and a fabulous afternoon poolside at the ship (drinking diet coke). Oh, almost forgot! I was kind enough to provide my blog address to some of the local officials….