"BARBADOS" Top 5 Page for this destination Barbados by joanj

Barbados Travel Guide: 1,482 reviews and 2,328 photos

Beautiful Barbados Sunset on Rockley beach

To me this is Paradise re-visited

Barbados

Back in March 2009 from another great 3 weeks in Barbados meeting old friends.

March 2008 - Just come back from another visit to Barbados, s4

An Independent state and easternmost island of the Lesser Antilles, and is situated 480 kilometres north of Guyana, 160 kilometres easf of St. Vincent, and 965 kilometres southeast of Peurto Rico.

The island is pear-shaped and has a maximum length of 34 kilometres (21 miles) and east-west maximum breadth of 23 kilometres (14 miles).

The total land area is 430 square kilometres (166 square miles) with a coastline spanning 97 kilometres (60 Miles). and has 11 parishes.

Those who know me well, know that I regard Barbados as my second home. This little piece of paradise in the Caribbean is the place I visit most. I feel at home there. As soon as I step onto the tarmac at Grantley Adams International Airport, I am so grateful to be back there, but the day I leave to go home is another matter. I am so sad, but then as the locals have told me, "you have to go to come back " - and I do!

A little Barbados history

The first people to come to BARBADOS were the Arawak Indians, who lived there for about 4 - 500 years. They lived mostly in caves and gulleys that protected them against the storms and hurricanes that occurred from time to time. Their main crops grown were maize and casava. They also fished to supplement their diets.

The Europeans that first came were Spanish arriving shortly after 1492, but when the Portuguese visited in 1536, the Indians had abandoned the island. Learned men have tried to find out why the Indians left the island so mysteriously, but have yet to discover the complete answer to this riddle.

The first English ship to come to Barbados was the Olive Blossom It arrived in 1625 and they found the island uninhabited. They took posession of the island in the name of "James - King of England " . The landing was on the coast near what is now called Holetown, in the Parish of St. James. Here there is a Monument erected in 1905 in their memory .

The visitors from the Olive Blossombdid not stay long, just rested and returned to England. . They gave their employer, Sir William Courteen, a favourable report of the island, and he decided to send out settlers.

These settlers arrived on February 17th, 1627 - (the Holetown Festival in February to commemorates this landing ) near to the same place where the Olive Blossom landed two years before.

They originally named it Jamestown - but is now Holetown.
Barbados (Little England as it is sometimes affectionally known) was ruled by England and Great Britain from 1627 to 30th November 1966 when it was granted Independence .

The History of Barbados is well worth a read.

Take a day tour to see the interior, and the tranquil west coast, the rugged north and east coasts, and the surfers hot spot on the south/east coast. Rum punch, flying fish and cou cou, what more do you want !!

My very favourite place is Bathsheba, especially from the top of the road where the vista is laid out before you.
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If you hire a Moke or a car, you are sure to get lost, this this all adds to the fun. A good tip is to use the bus stop signs, i.e. "out of city" or "to city". You will always find your way back to Bridgetown.

Just don't rush when driving around, you may miss a good view or a little hidden gem.

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My favourite place on the island

Bathsheba

This view shows the rock formations.

Surfers congregate here when the weather is bad, i.e. wet and windy, then the surf comes up.
It is quite a dangerous place to swim. There are NO LIFEGUARDS here, so you have been warned.

Photo by joanj

Garrison Savannah

This is a picture of the Garrison Savannah showing the Clock tower which bears the date 1803.

The Garrison is used for Horse racing, Rugby, Football, and on Nov. 30th the island's day of Independence, the Barbados Defense Force, the Royal Barbados Police Force, The Barbados Coast Guard, with Cadets, Girl Guides, Rangers and other groups, parade and march before the Governor General.

Photo by joanj

Pros and Cons

Pros:Wonderful climate, friendly people, beautiful beaches, just the place to relax.
Cons:some bad roads, and pavements, if you are lucky to find one, potholes a'plenty,
In a nutshell:Trade winds cool you as you sunbathe in this island gem.

Last visit to Barbados: Feb 2010
Intro Updated Mar 16, 2010
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Reviews (124)

Train on the East Coast. ca 1910 - Barbados

Old photographs of Barbados Favorites (16)

If you are in Bridgetown pop into Big John's a fast food emporium, situated on Broad Street and both upstairs and... more travel advice

Walk the Boardwalk Things to Do (38)

Why not join the locals and other tourists walking the boardwalk either for just a stroll, or for exercise. There is no... more travel advice

Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar Restaurants (16)

The Cafe Sol is a sister eatery to Mc. Brides, ( a few doors down from one another). Although this was mid morning, the... more travel advice

Irish Pub/Restaurant Restaurants (16)

I have been in this pub/restaurant, once on Kareoke night, and the other time a Bridal party were there for the wedding... more travel advice

Shopping (11)
See All Street vendor
What to Pack (2)
See All Useful extension lead
Hotels (4)
See All On the Beach Hotel
Local Customs (9)
See All Chattel Houses - Keeping up a tradition.
Warnings Or Dangers (11)
See All Drugs!

Sports & Outdoors (8)
See All Catamaran cruises
Transportation (3)
See All Public Transport
Tourist Traps (1)
Time Share
Nightlife (2)
See All Music, Food, Drink - Party , party!!
Off The Beaten Path (3)
See All For the Art Lovers of the world

Travelogues (10)

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Comments (17)

hunterV Nov 8, 2010 at 6:29 AM Report Abuse

Hello, Joan! Your great page is full of useful tips, thanx! You've had a wonderful stay there!
agentjanet Apr 12, 2010 at 1:56 PM Report Abuse

The boardwalk is fantastic and they now have live music every Sunday at Allamanda Hotel on the beach/boardwalk just down the walk a bit from the bandstand. There is also a new Boardwalk beach bar.
bgngeorge Mar 16, 2010 at 5:47 PM Report Abuse

Chicken George at rockly beach is the only person on our Barbados 1 month vacation that took advantage of us. There were no prices on his board, inturn he was able to charge $35. for a fish and chip sandwicw at the beach.
Arkeolog Mar 30, 2009 at 8:18 AM Report Abuse

Joan your Barbados page is perfect in a word! bathsheba looks beautiful. place is great, tips are great...
Gillybob Jan 4, 2009 at 12:16 PM Report Abuse

Lots of information and great photos. Gillybob greetings
doreenellen Jun 5, 2008 at 12:52 AM Report Abuse

Wonderful photo of that sky! Lovely pages again Joan
bob&les Jan 16, 2008 at 3:22 AM Report Abuse

hi joanj, thanks for the lovely insight into your second home, barbados. I am shortly to visit the island and am gratefull for you comments. Please give your darling grandaughters a big kiss from us, they sound delightful
johngayton Dec 16, 2007 at 5:45 PM Report Abuse

Great page Joan, love the restaurant tips esp. Cheers, John.
britishbabe Aug 28, 2004 at 9:15 AM Report Abuse

Oh joan your page is fantastic, absolutley brilliant x
Minx79 Aug 11, 2004 at 4:31 AM Report Abuse

I LOVE BARBADOS TOOOOO!!!! Bajan fishcakes FOREVER!!! Bathsheba too, everything you say makes me feel sad that I'm not there, I really want to go back soon! I miss Barbados, the rum, the people, the weather, the beaches even the Cricket!! Ha ha ha.