Day 4 (November 14, 2015): Turtle Hunt

We woke this morning, as you likely did in North America, shocked by the updates on the Paris massacres.  Every one of the recent terror attacks -- the Russian aircraft bombing, the Beirut suicide attacks, and now the Paris massacres -- has plunged the world into greater darkness.  In a way, it makes it feel selfish and shallow to be here in the paradise of Barbados, while such horror is going on.  Paris definitely did cast a deep shadow on our day.

It was another up-at-7:30 day.  Another "beach lounging > ocean dipping > sand walking > repeat" type of day!  And another perfect 30C sunny Barbadian day, with a perfect breeze.

Daily breakfast in the 8th floor Hilton lounge, overlooking Carlisle Bay

At 1PM, I walked back to the famous fish shack (see Day 2) to get more fish cutter sandwiches, only to find the shack closed.  However a food truck was in the same parking lot, serving up Carribean jerk chicken meals, which served us well for lunch today.

By 2PM, we hopped a minibus (known as "Zed-Rs" here) to the center of Bridgetown.  We set out on foot to visit St. Michael's Cathedral, the Harbour Walk, and then checked out Cave Shepard Department Store, the Island's historic retailer.

St. Michael's Cathedral from 1789

Bridgetown's Harbour Walk

Then we walked to the Operation Mobilization Office again, to meet our friend, Megan.  She took us to her favourite coffee haunt, Italia Coffee House, for frappucinos.  Then we were off to Payne's Beach for snorkeling and an attempt to swim with the Hawksbill and Leatherback turtles that are usually found there. We snorkelled for almost an hour but turtle-spotting luck was not on our side.  We loved the snorkelling anyway. 

 Walking with Megan to Payne's Beach

Snorkel gear is oh-so-flattering, eh?!

The west coast of Barbados boasts incredible properties, such as this one, seen from our turtle expedition

We didn't see turtles, but it was one heck of a sunset from the water 

Megan did see one turtle, but Pam and I came up dry.  Wait -- what am I saying!  We DID spot turtles before the day was done! ;-)

Yes, yes - we DID see turtles after all!

Megan's very nice roommates, Donna and Rodney, joined us for dinner.  We had Indian food at a place called Chutney's, followed by another round of coffee at Italia Coffee House.  One can never get enough good coffee.

Dinner with Megan, Donna and Rodney 

Another round of coffee!

Hard to believe Day 4 is over.  A half day of beach rest and the long trek home begins.  It has been another excellent day in paradise!