Barbados

I had a week off to be able to quickly decide somewhere to go.  With so little time to plan I wanted to go somewhere close-by with not much in the way of planning. Barbados is an easy 3-hour flight, that is when you don't leave from JFK. (worst airport in the world) You see so many people these days going on cruises to these Caribbean beaches and wonder if they are as nice as people make them out to be.  I opted for a place with an interesting bit of culture as well that I wanted to experience.

Unlike previous trips I decided to live it up a bit with a "nicer" hotel and rent a car.  I knew with a car I would be able to see the whole island with ease.  The first spot was on the quiet side of the island in Bathsheba.  Because it's exposed to the wind and waves it's where the beaches are rocky and surfers congregate to ride the waves.

East Coast Mushroom Rocks

I stayed at the Sea-U Guesthouse perched on the hill overlooking the ocean.  The place was beautifully calm with all the free coconuts you wanted.  And the hammocks oh how I love them.  I arrived in my car driving on the wrong side of the road as you do here.  Navigation is incredibly difficult as it's tough to follow which way the roads go.  The farther you are from Bridgetown the worse condition the roads are.  Also be careful when the roads get wet as traction will be at a premium.

Sea-U Guesthouse

Relaxation

The first night I opted for the dinner being offered by the hotel since it was the national dish of flying fish and macaroni pie.  And since it was a Monday it was free rum punch night! Going to have to try and make this for myself now.  I met the only other people staying here, which turned out to be a German couple.

The next morning I headed for the Andromeda Gardens just up the street.  Again I was the only person to visit maybe due to the fact rain was forecast.  Halfway through the heavens opened and I found refuge in the bathroom.  The lady at the office handed me an umbrella for the rest of my tour which enabled me to complete it.

Andromeda Gardens

Next I headed for the West Coast where it's more developed with the postcard beaches to go for a swim as the rain clouds died away.  I ended up at Payne's Bay for a quick swim and snorkel session.  Unfortunately I had no buoy to warn any boats I was below so I was reluctant to leave the swimming area.  So I saw a whole of three fish and headed back to the car.

Payne's Bay

There a man was washing some Aloe at the beach shower, which he then would sell to tourists.  He tried to get me to buy some which I denied but I did offer him a ride as he had no shoes and needed a hitch up the road.  Barbados does have a bit of a poverty issue here.  Money and jobs are hard to come by for the majority.  I dropped him off and explored the far north before stopping at the Rum monastery for a quick pic.

St. Nicholas Abbey

Ate dinner at a local bar or shack whatever you prefer, where it was me and four other guys drinking rum and smoking weed.  The four other guys that is not me.  I had a big glass o water.  Of course I went with the flying fish and macaroni pie again.

The last day with the car I again headed for the middle of the island to Welchman Hall gully.  This is where the earth has collapsed and given way for tropical plants and trees to grow.  I dinged up the car a bit scratching against a wall as I had to back up to an oncoming car down a dirt road when I got a bit off track. What's funny is they know I'm a foreigner by the license plate letter telling them that.

I made sure to carry the umbrella with me from the start and 5 minutes into my walk it started to rain.  But it made the atmosphere better considering I was in a dense forest of trees.  Only thing was it kept the monkeys from coming out.  It was a cool place to walk and take in some nice trees, caves, and bugs.

I headed for my new home on the South Coast right near the St. Lawrence Gap where the nightlife is centered.  Fred the owner of Maraval Guesthouse helped me drop my car off at the airport and shuttled me back to the house.  It's located right on the beach.

I took out the goggles and headed to the boat in the picture to start some snorkeling.  All alone I noticed an eel as the first thing I saw and immediately swam back in.  Probably harmless I was a bit freaked out.  What's wrong with me?!

That night I headed out to check out the Gap.  I ran into a guy on the street and being curious most of the time I gave him the satisfaction of a nice conversation which is all he asked from me at the beginning.  He said he was Rasta and told me he got high off good conversation.  We talked for about a half hour about his philosophy on life and how he doesn't believe in God.  He complimented me for giving him that conversation back asking questions about his life and what he believes.  He wanted to drink with me which I refused since I knew what he was after.  Ultimately he asked for ten dollars to buy a hamburger which I also turned down.  I have no problem giving money at times but I felt a bit weird about his situation considering he told me he no longer did drugs which I learned was a lie from Fred the next morning.

Sunset from "The Gap"

I left the Gap area walking back to the house while watching my back considering I was introduced to some guys he associated with.  I get to my corner and he's waiting there for me after having taken a van.  I approached him and said "You following me or what?" He acted surprised to see me and said "Get out of here!" So I did!

I explored the capital of Bridgetown the next morning and Mount Gay Rum Distillery.  The best part I found about Barbados was riding the Z Vans everywhere.  They run on the bus lines and carry people around like the bus does just in a van with awesome reggae or soca music blaring.  I found it really relaxing and awesome to ride them everywhere for 1 dollar.

Parliament

The rum distillery was excellent! Take my word! Never buying Bacardi ever! The tour guide was hilarious!

While going for a swim at Accra Beach I lost my goggles after having a final attempt at snorkeling in a wave.  But as long as the girl next to me lost hers in the same wave I didn't feel so bad.

At night I went to the Oistins Fish Fry which was the best experience of the trip.  Great food and great atmosphere.  People dancing, eating, shopping.  It was fantastic!

I realize beach destinations aren't for me.  Although places like Croatia and Australia don't exactly count for me as beach destinations.  While I loved the cultural aspects of Barbados, the beach was pretty much the only thing to do.  But thank God for rum!