HUNDREDS OF VISITORS were spotted in The City yesterday for the New Year’s Day bank holiday.
They were seen strolling up Broad Street or in groups riding through Town in maxi taxis; they were walking along Princess Alice Highway as well as crossing the Chamberlain Lift Bridge and taking pictures of themselves in Heroes Square with the Parliament clock in the background.
Some decided to stop in and browse some of the stores in Town, mostly jewellery stores such as Colombian Emeralds International, Milano Diamond Gallery, Little Switzerland, Jeweller’s Warehouse and Cave Shepherd, which only opened its ground floor yesterday.
Cave Shepherd’s assistant manager Gail Ifill said most of their customers for the day were tourists and were mostly perusing the beachwear section.
Management at Little Switzerland said they too were almost exclusively seeing a visitor clientele, who were most interested in their Tiffany & Co. line of jewellery.
However, while the large taxis appeared to be doing brisk business, smaller operators were often left in the cold. One was even heard saying he was hearing “not yet” so often, it could be a song.
“Some are getting through but they’re really not catching taxis that sorta way today,” said another.
This was repeated by the Heroes Square taxi operators, who said while they saw many tourists, not many, if any, were catching taxis.
Florida couple Gene and Petty Kopp were taking a rest under a tree in the Lower Broad Street taxi stand. Gene said it was his second visit but he almost did not get off the cruise ship.
“I had a bad experience the first time I came here two years ago so I almost didn’t get off the ship today.
“However, I’ve enjoyed my visit so far. We’re just looking to do a little shopping and to enjoy the scenery,” he said.
Many of the visitors did not speak English as a first language and could be seen trying to communicate with taxi operators for directions or chatting with each other as they explored Bridgetown.
There were no visitors touring the historic churches in The City, however, such as St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral or the St Michael and All Angels Cathedral, as both churches were closed up tight. (CA)
