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http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt213/photodisc/barbados301209lead.jpgMy day today started at 7:55AM. Why? Because that's the time I woke up today - 3 minutes ahead of the time I set on the alarm clock. Actually, my day started at 12 midnight as I am the navigating officer doing midnight to 4 A.M. watch at the bridge. I am not referring to a structure that humans, animals or vehicles use to go across a river or road as in London Bridge, San Juanico Bridge and whatever that isLOL but I am referring to the ship's navigating room. Since I went back to sleep at half past 4 in the morning, so let me exclude that part of the day. Well, I set the alarm clock that early because since we left Funchal, I already had in mind about going ashore in Barbados the earliest possible time. So that was the plan and I made it, I went ashore today,

wandering around Bridgetown.

With the map I obtained from the tourist info desk at the passenger terminal, I went out as if I knew the place that much. Actually, this is my second time in Barbados. My first was when I joined the ship two months ago but during that time I did not had the chance to go around since I went straight to the hotel. Moving on towards central Bridgetown, I preferred not to take a taxi but rather on foot. Following Princess Alice Highway, I was already enjoying my favorite chicken at KFC 15 minutes later. Well, I did not have my breakfast when I left the ship, so watching from the distance the familiar red KFC billboard, I instantly decided to drop by there for a while and the next was a hearty chicken meal. Sorry, but the inset photo here is not KFC, so you won't see me munching a chicken leg or chicken wingsLOL Inset photo is the Barbados parliament building.

Unlike Europe during this time of the year where the sun is dreadfully shy, here in Barbados or in the Caribbean area in general, the sun is overly outgoing, sociable and very friendly. It's really pretty warm in here and at least I have few days getting rid of winter jacket, heater and so on. Light clothing is best to slip on. If you don't want to get tanned, long sleeved shirts and a cap or hat proved its usefulness. Oh, I just remembered now this typical Barbados hat sold at souvenir shops. I should have bought one at the duty free inside the cruise terminal before I set off to the city not as souvenir but to shield a little bit from the sun. Anyway, I won't get tan any furtherLOL There are plenty duty free shops around Bridgetown. Just around the corners along its narrow streets, duty free shops are as tempting as the ones in airports. I did not attempt to go inside to any of the duty free shops but continue walking and see for myself more on Barbados.

Don't expect to see high rise buildings in Bridgetown, Barbados. Barbados is more of a holiday getaway from the city and tourists love the way as it is - no skycrapers but mostly traditional or old structures indicating a genuine Barbados character. I only went as far as St. Patrick's Cathedral just few meters away from the eye-catching parliament building. If I continued walking farther I don't think I could get back to the ship to be just on time for my watch that started at noon. Anyway, at least I managed to draw closer in seeing a fraction of Barbados' awesome sights. Prospects for future calls here are as bright and as sunny as the weather. Considering how wonderful and bright the weather here in the Caribbean, Barbados truly is an island in the sun.

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