Backlog

So it's been awhile since letting ya'll in on what I've been up to. This last week I was finishing the first chapter of my dissertation which was due yesterday. The previous week Rach and I were running around the island trying experience as many cheesy tourist island activities as possible. Either way I was either too tired of looking at a computer or just too tired to post. While I'm sure you're all itching and scratching to learn about my exploits regarding the transfer of ingenio technology from Brazil to Barbados in the 1640s, it doen't transfer well into the blog medium. You can ask me about it when I get home. Instead here's a review of the week prior to last.

One day we took a sailboat cruise up the west coast. Snorkeling with turtles included. Plus I got to dive down to a shipwreck. Very nice, sunburn excepted.

Here's a view of my surburban neighborhood from the boat. I was hoping to find my house from here, but no.

The next day we took an "Adventureland Tour" which consisted of riding in the back of a bouncy Landcruiser all day. Actually very fun. The guide drove like a felon, and took us on lots of off-road trails in the island's the more rural northeast. Many passengers spilled their rum drinks. He hit those roads harder than I ever would in my Jeep. Toyotas are tough.

View from my seat looking out and down.

Whee!

Later, at a fishmarket in Crab Bay. Rachel giving her best impression. Fish in the back are "dolphins" - an island staple.

Not to be outdone by the Adventureland driver, I suggested we rent a Moke (MOW-kee). Basically a cross between a golfcart and a dunebuggy. Ragtop. No doors. Steering-wheel on the right; five-speed on the left. Fun!

In two days we looped the entire island and then some, putting on 250 kilometers.

The Barbados Wildlife Preserve. Basically a nature walk and petting zoo. Lots (and lots) of turtles and monkeys. Too many turtles actually. Someone needs to make a stew.

I meant it when I said petting zoo.

I love this pic.

Finished our tour by hitting "The Landlock:" a below sea-level lagoon-ish spot that's somewhat separated from the harsh Atlantic shoreline via a coral breaker. It's way out in the northern boondocks and a secret of the locals. It was sunset and we had the whole beach to ourselves.

This concludes my update.