Stunning Barbados
The world is soooo big… When we think we know it all, we quickly realise we know nothing…
When one thinks of the Caribbean Islands, one thinks once one knows one island ones knows them all… Well, one could not be more wrong!
My destination this time was the stunning island of Barbados… I am sitting at the airport lounge with my heart heavy… I could have stayed longer…
Well, well well… Let me tell you all I learned about this place… Barbados is a West Indies island, ex British colony, named by the Portuguese… Yes, you read it right… The Portuguese stopped here in their way to Brazil back in the 15 hundreds and saw these native fig trees which seem to have beards falling out of it… They looked and called Barbados… The name remained…
Barbados is developed but not over developed… It keeps its beautiful Caribbean vibe with a happy local population and stunning white sand beaches…
Unemployment is relatively low compared to other Caribbean islands and the main industry is Tourism. Illiteracy is eradicated and all schools are public… The loved number 1 sport is cricket followed by horse racing…
I have been to several other Caribbean islands which I will not name, and although they all have their own charm, some are either too developed or too poor… Barbados is neither..
The only thing I thought which my be a concern is that I found it expensive. Taxis are extremely expensive… Anywhere you want to go in the island does not cost less than 40 US dollars… One way… So if you come to Barbados, either you drive or prepare the pocket…
The restaurants I went were also very expensive… OK, I went to 2 of the 4 best restaurants in the whole island… But still 100 dollars for a one person meal without wine seems expensive…
Maybe that is the Rihanna effect… You know she from Barbados, right?
When I booked my hotel in Barbados I looked for something beach front but with a sense of local… I did not really want to stay in any big resort… My chosen one was the Coral Sands resort at the south part of the Island.
The property was what I expected… Not too big not too small… On the beach… What a beach!!!! White sand… Turquoise water… Turtles in the sea… I opened my balcony door and tried to take the image in… Stunning…
The room was super comfortable, with my own kitchen.. I did not use it.. Large bathroom and 2 queen beds…Fits easily a family…
The hotel has a swimming pool with a bar on it… As I was on my own I had the chance to read a book while I watched the sea…
In terms of restaurants the Island has loads of options for all budgets… As I love eating I wanted to try them all…
First night I went to Tides…
http://www.tidesbarbados.com
WOW!! what a stunning / gorgeous / romantic place! I fell in love immediately with it… I could not stop thinking that I wanted my husband to be there with me… The service was impeccable and the food delicious…. It is pricey but worth it… The hight of the night was the ballet of fish that come swimming just under the tables of the restaurant… Oh! Gorgeous!
For lunch next day I was recommended to eat at Tapas restaurant… Situated in front of the Crystal clear turquoise sea… It is the type of place you could spend a whole day sipping wine and eating tapas… I had a wonderful west indies shrimps curry… Super Yummy…
http://www.tapasbarbados.com
The same day, for dinner I went to Champers… Super recommended by several locals… I decided to give it a try… I don’t regret…
http://m.champersrestaurant.com
Also, the restaurant is stunning, placed on top of the sea…you dine in an open view terrace… Food is delicious and super beautiful… Each plate was worth 1000 pictures… the attraction of the evening was the turtle visit!
I was recommended two other restaurants more on the North of the beach, which I did not have the opportunity to go.
The Fish Pot – http://www.littlegoodharbourbarbados.com
the Cliff – http://www.thecliffbarbados.com
I was told only good things about both… I just could not eat two more meals…
In terms of sightseeing, Barbados is an Island with turquoise see around it, so the beach and boat trips are mandarory… but…
Barbados has another amazing sightseeing attraction… The Harrison’s cave… A cave as the name says with rooms and rooms of stalagmites and stalactites… incredible and at the same time amazing! I could not stop taking pictures… It is situated in he middle of the Island and it is a must visit place!
Shopping is also an attraction… you can do it in Bridgetown for souveniers and RUM… the Caribbean rum is known and Bajan one is delicious…
Or alterntively, for luxurious items you have Limegrove shopping center…
I hope you enjoy the pictures and if in Barbados… let me know if you tried these places!
xx Valentina
Looks like a fun trip! Barbados is on my bucket list of places to visit!
You must! I will go back! Xx Valentina
Hi Valentina,
I’m Paula, just wanted to say thank you very much for all the positive things you had to say about my island Barbados. I am extremely happy that you enjoyed doing so many activities there and eating at some of the island’s best restaurants.
If you ever have the opportunity to visit again try living like the locals do:
Visit the East Coast/Atlantic Ocean side of the island and go to Martin’s Bay, St. John and eat freshly caught fish; go to Lemon Arbor, in St. John on Saturdays and eat Pudding & Souse (steamed sweet potato pudding with pickled pork served with steamed breadfruit) and wash it down with an ice cold Banks Beer, or Mount Gay Extra Old & Coconut Water. You can also have fresh fish on the south eastern side of the island every Friday night at Oistins Bay Garden. Trek over to the Caribbean ocean side on the west coast and stop at John Moore Bar on the beach in Weston, St. James and have some freshly caught fish and white rum. go further north to Speightstown and visit Fisherman’s Pub where the reatuarant is directly on the beach and watch the sun set. go up to Cherry Tree Hill for some of the best views of the island and then visit St. Nicholas Abbey for some freshly crushed sugar cane juice and sample their rum.
Barbados has been producing rum longer than any other country in the world. our sugar is renowned for its excellent quality; there is a variety called Barbados muscovado.
I hope that my island will get the opportunity to welcome you again.
Wow! Thank you for the tips! I will go back for sure and I will definitely visit the places you recommended! I will send you photos when I go! XX Valentina
Thanks for this! Heading there a month today!!! x
Wow, enjoy and try the restaurants… you will love them!