animal flower caves and harrison caves

[floridalady]

has anyone been at one or both of these?

How long to get to animal caves?

How long was tour at harrison.Did you go with a tour guide you hired?Who?wAS IT WORTH IT?

Thanks.

[Flintstone]

It is my understanding that Harrison Cave is currently closed again to complete their renovations. They opened briefly during the World Cricket Cup....but have since shut down again.

 

Sorry....but I cannot help you on the other....but would be interested in info also.

[floridalady]

thanks,flintstone-I plan to go next year and was told it would be reopening by nov 2007.LOL-hoped I helped you a little.

Have a great weekend.

 

It is my understanding that Harrison Cave is currently closed again to complete their renovations. They opened briefly during the World Cricket Cup....but have since shut down again.

 

Sorry....but I cannot help you on the other....but would be interested in info also.

[Flintstone]

I'm so jeleous!! We were in Barbados in Nov last year and the Cave was closed....now I'm going again this week....and they are still closed!

It is one of the things I've most wanted to do....but alas....it is still unattainable! :( I hope you get to enjoy them!

[floridalady]

sorry,hon.

I hope you have a great time-what are you planning to do?

How you getting there?

If you want caves you should try the animal caves-----supposed to be beautiful!

 

"The Animal Flower Cave is located at the most northerly point of Barbados in the parish of St.Lucy.

 

The name "Animal Flower Cave" comes from the sea anemones found in the pools of the cave. Some of these pools are deep enough for you to swim in! There are also several openings looking out to sea, offering some spectacular views!

 

The now famous cave has been featured in singer Billy Ocean's music videos and in the soap opera "Bold and Beautiful".

 

 

 

I'm so jeleous!! We were in Barbados in Nov last year and the Cave was closed....now I'm going again this week....and they are still closed!

It is one of the things I've most wanted to do....but alas....it is still unattainable! :( I hope you get to enjoy them!

[barbados]

Harrison's Caves is the #1 attraction in Barbados.

 

Animal Flower Caves is # 5 or 6.

 

Animal Flower caves (AFC) is on the extreme Nothern shore of the island. A good hour taxi drive (but my wife sez she made it in 40 minutes!) and be sure and have them wait as there are few vacant taxis hanging around.

 

AFC is in a beautiful spot. It deserves as much praise as our East Coast.

 

But it is difficult and costly to get there in a short day and some of out other attractions may please more....

 

Harrison's is the choice for a day-visitor.

 

AFC is the choice for a weeks-visitor.

 

Have a wonderful time on the island. :)

 

Please see our most popular attractions first, and return for a week and see the rest.

 

I think many of the lessor attractions are better than the primary ones.

 

Have a great time whichever attractions that you visit. :)

[floridalady]

thank you barbados...in your opinion-what would be good places to go see on my one day visit?

Thank you.:D

[Flintstone]

My story is kind of a long one....but my daughter & her sister-in-law are leaving tomorrow for a much needed "Mommy's Getaway" vacation and staying with their husbands' family on the island. My daughter lives in Canada...and I in the US....and I haven't seen her in 6 months. So, as a surprise to her, I am flying down on Wednesday to finish the week with them. Her husband has arranged for us to meet on a 4x4 jeep excursion the following morning thru this company:

http://adventurelandbarbados.com/tours.htm

 

The SIL who is going, lost her husband last year at a very young age, leaving behind his wife, a set of 4 yr old triplets and a 6 yr old. This is to be her first vacation since her husband's death. The above company (who has been instrumental in keeping my trip a secret) has arranged a tour guide for us that was a childhood friend of her husband. (both their husbands were born in Barbados). So this is going to be a very emotional trip on several levels. If this tour is half as great as their Customer Service has been....we should be in for a wonderful time!

 

We have also booked a Thriller Adventure ride through:

http://www.funbarbados.com/Tours/MoreInfo/seafariMore.cfm

They are not easy to get in contact with and I had to call directly to get the reservation. They don't seem to be getting their e-mail. A friend of mine did this a couple weeks ago while on the Destiny and highly recommended it.

 

I'm almost wishing that I had planned on going for the whole week. There is so much to do and so much beautiful island to see.....but this is my first vacation without DH in 22 years of marriage...and I'm still feeling a little guilty.

 

Are ya sorry you asked for details now.....:D

 

Good luck with your trip planning. If there is anything I can answer for you when I get back....I will be most happy to do so.

 

Deb

[floridalady]

hey dont feel guilty---enjoy yourself and help cheer your sister in law and have a great time with your daughter.Let me know how it goes!

[Painter]

thanks,flintstone-I plan to go next year and was told it would be reopening by nov 2007.LOL-hoped I helped you a little.

Have a great weekend.

 

I had an email from Harrisons caves saying they would be open for my cruise end on November 07.

 

Marleneann

[floridalady]

I'm so jeleous!! We were in Barbados in Nov last year and the Cave was closed....now I'm going again this week....and they are still closed!

It is one of the things I've most wanted to do....but alas....it is still unattainable! :( I hope you get to enjoy them!

 

Can you tell me what the best places in your opinion are to see?

I want to see so much and know there is not enough time.

[Aplmac]

Can you tell me what the best places in your opinion are to see?

I want to see so much and know there is not enough time.

Seeing as how Harrison's Caves is our No. 1 tourist attraction

and the fact it's in the middle of the island,

it's probably your best bet,

due to the fact that your ride to the caves

will also show you a good chunk of the island itself,

"for free" as it were.

 

After the Caves, no doubt you'll continue on somewhere else.

 

 

 

Hope you return sometime for a week, staying at a hotel.

Going ashore for a few hours doesn't allow for much,does it?!

Bin there..done that.

[floridalady]

Seeing as how Harrison's Caves is our No. 1 tourist attraction

and the fact it's in the middle of the island,

it's probably your best bet,

due to the fact that your ride to the caves

will also show you a good chunk of the island itself,

"for free" as it were.

 

After the Caves, no doubt you'll continue on somewhere else.

 

 

 

Hope you return sometime for a week, staying at a hotel.

Going ashore for a few hours doesn't allow for much,does it?!

Bin there..done that.

 

 

ok YOU HAVE HELPED ME OUT HERE-WHERE ELSE SHOULD i GO AND WHAT IS A GOOD BEACH-CALM WATER,SOFT SAND??????

Your help is so appreciated!

[Aplmac]

ok ..WHERE ELSE SHOULD i GO

AND WHAT IS A GOOD BEACH -CALM WATER,SOFT SAND??????

Glad to help (I try to be 'real')

 

After doing the Cave thing,

you'll be no more than about a mile away from FLOWER FOREST,

so if you like plants, botanical gardens, strange trees, etc.

it would make sense to let your driver carry you there

(scenic pictures on the way there,

right where the road goes along the edge of the Scotland District escarpment,

where you might get nice pics of the East Coast,

even if you never get down there to it).

 

After Flower Forest you'll want the beach,I'm guessing,

and since the tour may be returning you to the Bridgetown/Port area,

he might drop you guys off at Boatyard,which is on normally-calm Carlisle Bay

with yes..soft white sand, where you can gas-up on Rum Punch or whatever floats yer boat.

You'll also be within a 10 min.(in traffic!-depending..) taxi-ride of your ship

in the Bridgetown Harbour which, coming to the end of your day ashore,

is a big plus by my reckoning, but what do I know?

 

If your driver is open to suggestion/route-variation

then pretty much any West Coast beach

will satisfy Madam's impeccable taste for fine beaches,

and Barbados has them in some abundance...

[floridalady]

Glad to help (I try to be 'real')

 

After doing the Cave thing,

you'll be no more than about a mile away from FLOWER FOREST,

so if you like plants, botanical gardens, strange trees, etc.

it would make sense to let your driver carry you there

(scenic pictures on the way there,

right where the road goes along the edge of the Scotland District escarpment,

where you might get nice pics of the East Coast,

even if you never get down there to it).

 

After Flower Forest you'll want the beach,I'm guessing,

and since the tour may be returning you to the Bridgetown/Port area,

he might drop you guys off at Boatyard,which is on normally-calm Carlisle Bay

with yes..soft white sand, where you can gas-up on Rum Punch or whatever floats yer boat.

You'll also be within a 10 min.(in traffic!-depending..) taxi-ride of your ship

in the Bridgetown Harbour which, coming to the end of your day ashore,

is a big plus by my reckoning, but what do I know?

 

If your driver is open to suggestion/route-variation

then pretty much any West Coast beach

will satisfy Madam's impeccable taste for fine beaches,

and Barbados has them in some abundance...

 

 

have you been to animal flower caves?

Thoughts?

[Aplmac]

have you been to animal flower caves?

Thoughts?

Yes, I've been to Animal-Flower Cave..I've been to them both,

but Harrison's Cave is by far the more spectacular of the two,

and is half the distance from the Harbour!

 

Harrison's in in the middle of the island,

whereas Animal-Flower Cave is at the very Northern tip,

with great sea-cliff scenery

 

and I'm typing this in bad weather where the computer died on me,already...more later

[floridalady]

Yes, I've been to Animal-Flower Cave..I've been to them both,

but Harrison's Cave is by far the more spectacular of the two,

and is half the distance from the Harbour!

 

Harrison's in in the middle of the island,

whereas Animal-Flower Cave is at the very Northern tip,

with great sea-cliff scenery

 

and I'm typing this in bad weather where the computer died on me,already...more later

 

 

Tell me something if you can-the drive to the North point-I read you see things on that drive you dont see on the rest of the island.I took it as very poor areas.Is this true?Do you think it is better to see North Point or spend more time on east coast or beach????LOL.Appreciate your opinion.

[Aplmac]

-the drive to the North Point-I read you see things on that drive

you don't see on the rest of the island.

I took it as very poor areas.Is this true?

Do you think it is better to see North Point

or spend more time on East Coast, or beach????

Seeing as you're not here 'long-stay' and will be ashore for just a half-day

your best bet probably is

not to go from one end of the island(Harbour) - to the other end(N.Point)!

 

If you're torn between the two Caves,

then I'd suggest going with Harrison's in the middle of the island,

it's a nice drive there and back,

plus you should have time left over to hit a beach somewhere,too.

 

The northern cap of the island might be considered a bit 'off the beaten track'

if you're on a quick dash of an Ashore tour.

If you were here for an unhurried week,

it would be no problem at all.

 

To address the poverty issue,

to be truthful the Eastern and Northern extremes of the island

are not as developed as other areas:

I guess we don't notice it as much as you guys...

it's not a huge difference, and you certainly won't get mugged there or nuthin like that.

Most 'Country Bajans' are still our mellowest people

and are thoroughly nice and (as yet) un-affected.

[floridalady]

Seeing as you're not here 'long-stay' and will be ashore for just a half-day

your best bet probably is

not to go from one end of the island(Harbour) - to the other end(N.Point)!

 

If you're torn between the two Caves,

then I'd suggest going with Harrison's in the middle of the island,

it's a nice drive there and back,

plus you should have time left over to hit a beach somewhere,too.

 

The northern cap of the island might be considered a bit 'off the beaten track'

if you're on a quick dash of an Ashore tour.

If you were here for an unhurried week,

it would be no problem at all.

 

To address the poverty issue,

to be truthful the Eastern and Northern extremes of the island

are not as developed as other areas:

I guess we don't notice it as much as you guys...

it's not a huge difference, and you certainly won't get mugged there or nuthin like that.

Most 'Country Bajans' are still our mellowest people

and are thoroughly nice and (as yet) un-affected.

 

 

BUT would I ow and ah over the view with the cliffs??????

Ever been in the animal caves?

Thoughts?

[Aplmac]

BUT would I ow and ah over the view with the cliffs?? ===> Yes! - bring your camera

Ever been in the animal caves? ===> Yes: geologically interesting!

Thoughts?

The Animal-Flower Cave used to be naturally stocked

with the segmented worms locally referred to as "Animal-Flowers".

These marine worms live in a stalk of a tube, standing about 2-3 inches tall

and they expose their breathing and food-gathering 'array'

- looks like a flower- out the top of said tube.

Go too close or touch it and Zip! the animal quickly retreats into its tube.

 

Lately, the guys who run the cave

have resorted to having to re-stock the worms in the cave's pools,

so the Animal-Flowers aren't much of a big deal, any more.

Yes, there are a few small ones which they eagerly point out to you,

but unless you big into Marine Bio, it's no particular thrill.

 

The cave itself though is more interesting.

It was carved out of the sea-cliff by wave action over thousands of years

and offers 3 or 4 views out to sea thru large 'windows',

good for pix using these 'windows' as frames in your shot.

 

On the floor of the cave are a few pools,

and it's in these pools of sea water that the few Animal-Flowers live.

 

The whole thing at North Point is interesting enough:

- there's a Bar, the view of the sea-cliffs is quite spectacular(camera!)

and there are a few souvenir shops selling unusual things

you won't find readily, elsewhere on the island.

 

If your heart is set on it...GO.. Do it!

Look for a (younger!) taxi driver who won't waste time

and it can be done.

God knows the island is just 21 mi.long x 14 mi. wide,

but the roads are twisty-turny(that's the prob)

[floridalady]

Thank you so much for answering.I really wanna go now.two more questions lol-What do they sell there that is so different?

 

Can you tell me a nice beach -not too crowed with a bar and not too expensive snack bar?????

Bless you.

The Animal-Flower Cave used to be naturally stocked

with the segmented worms locally referred to as "Animal-Flowers".

These marine worms live in a stalk of a tube, standing about 2-3 inches tall

and they expose their breathing and food-gathering 'array'

- looks like a flower- out the top of said tube.

Go too close or touch it and Zip! the animal quickly retreats into its tube.

 

Lately, the guys who run the cave

have resorted to having to re-stock the worms in the cave's pools,

so the Animal-Flowers aren't much of a big deal, any more.

Yes, there are a few small ones which they eagerly point out to you,

but unless you big into Marine Bio, it's no particular thrill.

 

The cave itself though is more interesting.

It was carved out of the sea-cliff by wave action over thousands of years

and offers 3 or 4 views out to sea thru large 'windows',

good for pix using these 'windows' as frames in your shot.

 

On the floor of the cave are a few pools,

and it's in these pools of sea water that the few Animal-Flowers live.

 

The whole thing at North Point is interesting enough:

- there's a Bar, the view of the sea-cliffs is quite spectacular(camera!)

and there are a few souvenir shops selling unusual things

you won't find readily, elsewhere on the island.

 

If your heart is set on it...GO.. Do it!

Look for a (younger!) taxi driver who won't waste time

and it can be done.

God knows the island is just 21 mi.long x 14 mi. wide,

but the roads are twisty-turny(that's the prob)

[Aplmac]

Thank you so much for answering.I really wanna go now.two more questions lol-What do they sell there that is so different?

 

Can you tell me a nice beach -not too crowed with a bar and not too expensive snack bar?????

Bless you.

Hand-painted ceramics from S.America

(even Wife bought a few - that should tell ya!)

 

Barbados tends to be pricey, let me warn you

thus I don't frequent bars (I'm too cheap!)

 

There are several nice beaches along the West Coast road('Hiway' 1)

which is a likely return route coming back towards Harbour from the North Pt. area.

 

Mullins may be crowded(depends on the day)

but Gibbes,just South of it(if you know how to access it)

should be less populated. - walk South from Mullins, you'll come to Gibbes.

 

Wherever your taxi driver drops you,

consider walking a half-mile North or South, to the next bay...

it can be a different 'social scene' in that next bay, not far away.