Barbados is situated just east of the Caribbean Sea. It is an independent island nation in the western Atlantic Ocean. It is a part of the lesser Antilles island chain, and its closest island neighbours are St Vincent and St. Lucia to the West. The capital is Bridgetown and its total land area is about 166 square miles. The population is approximately 280,000.
We managed to get up just after 6:15 AM to be ready packed for our trip before breakfast as there would be no time to go back to the cabin before leaving. The earliest available breakfast was seven am in the Thistle restaurant so we were there when it opened.
We did not have to wait long in the Neptune Lounge before walking to the port and the awaiting bus. We were lucky to have front seats, so had a really good view as we were taken on a tour of the island prior to going to Harrison's cave. We were taken down from the entrance by lift to the visitor centre were we had a train ride to the cave complex.
Once again, we were lucky to be in the front cabin so got a very good view at everything and could hear the commentary well, the stalagmites and stalactites were amazing and Mel was impressed. They form more quickly than in the UK as the caves are much warmer than in the UK.
We went through natural passages and also areas that had been opened up manually to make it accessible with natural windows opening to show the treasures. One area had even been used for a wedding as the stalagmites look like a bride with a groom proposing on his knees. The largest cave is 100 feet tall and wide and the second largest was 50 foot tall. We were on the first tour of the day, so we were back on the ship before 11:00 AM.
Afterwards we went looking for some sun beds and there were plenty so we sunbathed and swam in water at 28 centigrade.
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