Questions about Barbados

[kcrandy]

We ( 2 of us ) will be there for the day Wed 10/27. I am communicating with your transport board about my questions regarding public transportation. It seems easy enough for me to get to Paynes Bay, Bottom Bay or Accra/Rockley. However two different employees have told me they do and don't offer a shuttle from the ship to Princess Alice Terminal. My question is - Should I attempt the bus or just get a driver and be done with it? The way I see it is convenience ( Car ) versus price. I don't have a problem paying for a car, but I like to experience the locals. Would the bus be a good or bad experience?

I am considering going to Paynes Bay to swim with the turtles.

Photo's I have seen make me HAVE to see Bottom Bay.

I also want to see Accra/Rockley beach & the boardwalk.

How close is Pelican Craft Center to the ship?

I want to buy some pretty stamps from Barbados - is there a certain post office that will have a better selection or any post office & where would it be?

How far away is Wyland Wall and is it worth seeing?

I saw somewhere about The Highland's ( great scenic view ), I can't find anything on it to know where I can get an excellent view??

What is Welchman Hall Gully?

Is there anything else I MUST do or are there things I mentioned that you suggest I scratch off my list?

 

Thank you to anyone for their input and advice.

[Aplmac]

We will be there for the day Wed 10/27. ===> Carnival Victory?

 

My question is - Should I attempt the bus or just get a driver and be done with it? ===Reality sets in.

The way I see it is convenience (Car) versus price. ===> And given your intended itinerary for your day ashore... car.

 

I don't have a problem paying for a car, but I like to experience the locals.

Would the bus be a good or bad experience? ===> Avoid rush-hour.

 

I am considering going to Paynes Bay to swim with the turtles.

 

Photo's I have seen make me HAVE to see Bottom Bay.

 

 

I also want to see Accra/Rockley beach & the boardwalk. ===> You need a week here! :D

 

How close is Pelican Craft Center to the ship? ===>Walking distance.

I want to buy some pretty stamps from Barbados

- is there a certain post office that will have a better selection

or any post office & where would it be? ===> Our main General Post Office is v.close to Pelican Crafts.

 

What is Welchman Hall Gully? ===> An interesting botanical garden -it's a mile-long trail.

That's quite list you have there!!

A list you're not going to complete by bus -not without spending a week here

- which is what you really need to do, you realize?

 

 

 

Turtles are on the West Coast at either Paynes Bay or Holetown.

That will probably take you two hours?

 

Bottom Bay,now

is out at almost the extreme Eastern end of the island, nearly an hour's drive from West Coast

and the roads are 'not straight'.

 

Accra/Rockley is on the South coast(on the way back from Bottom Bay, I'd suggest..)

spend some time there

and then maybe bus it back to Bridgetown and the Port,

if you want to take in some local color on our bus system.

 

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

 

 

A logical onshore itinerary for you might be:

 

* To start early and walk out of the Port's gatehouse to find Pelican Crafts about 300 yds. in front of you(on the left).

 

* Next stop is our main headquarters General Post Office on Cheapside

where you'll get stamps at the Philatelic Bureau there.

 

* The bus terminal for West Coast is also right there sandwiched between the G.Post Office and Pelican Crafts

so you might consider bus-ing it to Paynes Bay or Holetown to do the turtles thing?

 

* When you're finished with the turtles

this might be the time to grab a cab and tell him BOTTOM BAY

but go via St.John's Church..for the view

and for this little sundial in the churchyard

a journey that'll wind you right across the island

(if he knows how to find Btm.Bay!!)

 

* Spend a little time at Bottom Bay -views are best from up on top the cliff.

 

 

* Maybe hit The Crane too since that's about 2 miles away

on that same stretch on SE coastline

 

 

 

* -then Concorde Experience at the airport,

 

 

 

* Then Accra Beach at Rockley,

 

 

then...

is your day full enough yet? LOL!

 

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

[kcrandy]

Thank you so much for your input.

You are so detailed with descriptions and directions.

I have really enjoyed your photo's.

[kcrandy]

We will be on the Norwegian Dawn

[kcrandy]

What is the name of the bus terminal between Pelican Craft and the Post Office?

I still have not heard back from Bus Transport Board. Arlene told me "There is a Bridgetown shuttle which pass outside the port gate to Bridgetown. Bus fare is $1.50Bds per person per trip.

 

If you catch the shuttle bus this ticket is transferable within a two hour window."

 

Then Carla tells me this "On reaching the terminal you can utilize the Bridgetown Shuttle to take you to the Cruise Ship entrance. Please note we do not offer a pickup service."

 

So I am not sure if I can get a shuttle to the bus terminal or not?

 

Will there be accessible cabs at Paynes Bay Beach or should I schedule something ahead of time to take me to Bottom Bay? Is there a way to know before I bus it to Paynes Bay if the water is too rough to swim out to the turtles??? If I know ahead of time, this could save me a trip. I was told some days the water is so rough it is too hard of a swim out now.

 

Which direction from Bottom Bay is Crane Beach?

 

What do you mean by "Reality sets in?" If you would prefer, you can email me at happyrock8@hotmail.com.

 

Thanks,

Randy

[Aplmac]

Which direction from Bottom Bay is Crane Beach? ===> Back towards the airport and Bridgetown, generally speaking.

 

What do you mean by "Reality sets in?"

Many cruisers want to use the local bus system

without considering that

although it's quite a reasonable service by West Indies standards

it's not like your Great Northern bus services with things running close to clockwork. ;)

 

Given your few hrs. ashore, it's usually best to spring for a taxi

and forego the bus thing

but there are people who want to pay 75 cents to experience local flavor.

 

 

Let's put it this way: I've lived in these islands all my life

but when I cruise among them

I'm simply not going to tangle with local bus services to save a few bucks. :cool:

 

I'm not rich by any means, but I'd rather pay a taxi to get me there quickly

with stops along the way to take pics etc.

The bus guy isn't going to do that for you

nor is the bus driver going to answer questions and take little off-routes

to swing you by his favorite rum-shop etc,

where Boysie an De Boys are playing dominoes.

.

[kcrandy]

What is the name of the bus terminal between Pelican Craft and the Post Office?

 

Will there be accessible cabs at Paynes Bay Beach or should I schedule something ahead of time to take me to Bottom Bay?

Is there a way to know before I bus it to Paynes Bay if the water is too rough to swim out to the turtles??? If I know ahead of time, this could save me a trip. I was told some days the water is so rough it is too hard of a swim out now.

 

Which direction from Bottom Bay is Crane Beach?

 

Thanks,

Randy

[tiggyfrank]

How much would a taxi be to Holetown and Payne's Bay?