Roseau, Dominica; Wednesday, January 11, 2012 -- The Search for the Botanical Gardens.
After Road Town, Roseau (the capital and port for Dominica) was in many ways a pleasant surprise. The city retains many of its pretourist Caribbean aspects in its colorful buildings and, regretfully, in its narrow and sans-sidewalks streets.
Roseau at Sunset
Since we arrived in Roseau at noon, we decided to walk to the Botanical Gardens, which according to everyone we spoke to was "very close by" or "not far." These terms are relative, and, in the hot mid-day Caribbean sun, "not far" turned into a "very great distance." After about a 30 minute walk, we may have reached the Botanical Garden or we may have missed it altogether. J and E are in some disagreement on this point! However, we did find a public park with lawns and trees, which may have been part of the Botanical Garden or maybe Windsor Park.
Tree in Botanical Gardens? - Note: Crushed School Bus
The Result of a Hurricane
Whichever it was, by the time we reached this open space, we had had enough exploring on foot in the afternoon sun and started back to the ship through the town -- dodging traffic as the sidewalks and road mergered on a number of occasions.
Shop Houses with Sidewalk and Street
19th Century Public Well
By early evening we were underway for Bridgetown, Barbados. Having seen Roseau on foot and maybe the Botanical Gardens or maybe not!
Bridgetown, Barbados, Thursday, January 12, 2012 -- Polo Anyone?
We tied up at Bridgetown Cruise Terminal (formerly part of the sugar shipping facility) early on the morning of January 12th. The cruise terminal building, which all arriving and departing cruise passengers must pass through to clear Customs and Immigration, is really a large shopping mail (tourist trap). For the shopping-oriented tourist, there is no reason to ever leave the terminal. J & E immediately left and took a taxi to Garrison Savannah, where J's old office at the Town Planning Department was located and where the Barbados Museum and Historical Society's Galleries are inside the Garrison's former stockade (prison).
Barbados Museum
Early Barbados Water Purification System
After an hour touring the museum and half an hour waiting for our reserved, no-show taxi, we returned by another taxi to the cruise terminal. At the terminal, the Silver Whisper had been joined by a large Princess (4,000+ victims) cruise ship, so the terminal was like being in the middle of an attack by Vandals! Back on the ship, we had lunch and prepared for the big event -- the polo match.
In Barbados, because of its long association with the British Empire and the British military, a great deal of polo is played. As a "treat" for the world cruise guests, we were taken to the specially-arranged polo matches at the Apes Hill Polo Club. Having only seen polo in Hawaii at the rather primitive venues on Hawaii and Oahu, we were not prepared for the grand nature of both for the course and the club house.
Polo Grounds and Club House
As well as watching the polo - men on horses taking turns hitting a small white ball up and down the course with a mallett - there were canapes and libations for those so inclined. All-in-all, a good time was had by all, although we don't think any great understanding of the sport was attained by most of us.
Men and Women on Horses Attacking a Small Ball, i.e., Polo
The Winners and Losers or Maybe the Losers and Winners
As proof that J & E did, in fact, attend the match, the following photo (taken by the Silver Whisper's Hotel Director) is included: However, don't ask us who won or lost - not a clue!
At the Polo Match (What Happened?)
After watching two complete matches with commentary, we were treated to a concert by the Royal Barbados Police Band and more food and beverages (remember Rum Punch is very lethal in quantities). We were then loaded onto buses for the 30 minute trip back to the ship, and dinner on board. As if we needed more food!
Royal Barbados Police Band
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