Barge to Hell 2012, Day 3

The invasion of the Bahamas. At least, that's what it looked like when you consider a horde of black-shirt clad, raging Metal Maniacs pouring out of the ship and into Nassau. This was the port of call to give ourselves a break from the confines of the boat and explore a unique island most of us have never visited before.

As someone who has lived in Miami his entire life, the Bahamas are always mentioned in some way, shape or form. From the locals who travel there, to the Bahamians who live in my city, I have always known, but never experienced the Bahamas, until this trip. What lay ahead was an adventure that was foreign, but familiar, as well as some Metal discoveries I never expected to find.

Barge to Hell 2012, Day 2

The second day of Barge to Hell, and while last nights Pool Deck debacle did put a sour taste for the voyage, it didn't ruin the experience entirely as things like this is almost expected in a Metalheads journey. Think about it, how many times have you gone to a concert, from the local bar shows to the shows in night clubs to the medium sized venues to the mega stadiums and even festivals, and there has been some kind of delay and/or issue to get the bands playing? Today was the first full day of the Barge to Hell, meaning, an entire day of Metal madness from morning until the wee hours of the nights, this was one party that was only starting to warm up.

Speaking of morning, I managed to get some breakfast in the Windjammers Café, and was joined by surprisingly many other Metalheads (we're not known for being morning people, that's why we excel in working night shifts, where we belong). Probably the different time zones where they come from grants them the ability to be awake so early in the morning? A Metallic Scientific Hypothesis.

Barge to Hell 2012, Day 1

Good day everybody,

I know Metal Trek was neglected worse than a Glam Metal band during the late 90's, but I finally got an update of "Hellacious" proportions.

Metal Trek presents Barge to Hell, Day 1.

My day started waking up with an unusual feeling of anticipation as I double checked all my belongings I prepared the night before to make certain I had everything I needed to embark on the first edition of Barge to Hell. I packed the usual items needed for a cruise (Passport, confirmation paper, sun tan lotion, boardshorts, regular shorts and jeans, my Chuck Taylor All Stars & sandals, shirts (my tie dye Metal shirts finest hour), skull dress shirt, and some new sunglasses and a special hat I built for this cruise (more on these later)).

This was my first time on a Metal cruise as the previous editions of 70,000 Tons of Metal (same organizers for both cruises) I wasn't able to make it, and to this day I kick myself in the ass for "missing the boat" (pun intended). This was also my redemption for missing the first 70,000 Tons of Metal.

I found my way to the Metromover (a free method of public transportation near downtown Miami) after parking my car and got off the station nearest to the Port of Miami. I walked my way to the bridge and saw the vessel that was going to be called home for the next 5 days, the Majesty of the Seas.