Annette M on Viator.com

Annette M
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Annette MUSA

Mar072012
Tour/Activity

                                Barbados Shore Excursion: Barbados in a Day Tour                                
                                                                                        
                        Barbados, Barbados
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My Review
Jam packed day that has you rushing from one spot to another.  We had an "unplanned" stop at a pottery factory, supposedly because of the time of the cave tour.  But it felt extremely planned out as someone was waiting to give us a tour.  
The low point of the day was definitely the cave.  If there was a way to skip it I would have been thrilled.  Seen far better caves in the past.  Something to be survived, not enjoyed in my opinion.
The monkey preserve was fantastic.  We stopped just outside and had a chance to actually feed them.  They are incredibly gentle and will happily sit there and pick through the seed in your hand to find the choicest bits.  I could have stayed all day.
Snorkeling was an experience.  We stopped twice.  I am experienced and had no issues.  However, the current was so strong that roughly 3/4 of the people on the boat had to be rescued.  The difference in my opinion was not only experience but also the fact that I had my own fins, which the boat did not provide.  Makes a huge difference when dealing with currents.  Life vests were flying off the boat, people were being pulled back in.  I have never seen anything like it.  To make it more difficult, locals trying to convince you to go for a jet ski ride were zipping through the snorkeling area.  I was nearly hit in the head.  No help with the rescue, just asking you to ditch the boat and go with them instead.
Sea turtles were at the second, much calmer spot.  They were great.  Used to being fed by people so they are fearless.  Will swim straight at you.
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Nov282009
Tour/Activity

                                St. Barts Ferry Transfer from St. Martin                                
                                                                                        
                        Simpson Bay, St Maarten (St Martin)
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My Review
While St. Barts was not to my liking, I have no complaints about the service that was provided for the transfer. We were lucky enough to have a calm day for traveling so no one had issues with motion sickness. One note of caution though.  All trips arranged with this provider have a listed departure time almost an hour before the boats actually go out. A listed 8am departure typically has check-in until 8:15, and than the company has the next 45 minutes to handle port and/or immigration issues, while you sit at tables or on stairs. Bring some entertainment for that part of the trip.
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Nov252009
Tour/Activity

                                Sand Dollar Half Day Snorkel Trip                                
                                                                                        
                        Simpson Bay, St Maarten (St Martin)
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My Review
I snorkeled many times in St. Maarten. This location provided the calmest waters for the entire trip. Unfortunately it was also the most crowded. They had been hit with a hurricane about a month before so there were not as many fish as normal but there was still plenty to see. Reef squid were my personal highlight.
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