Barbados revisited!
The weather was just perfect, we did have a few tropical storms but they didn't dampen our mood (excuse the pun) especially as being in the warm ocean when the rain falls is just heavenly. The temperatures never fell below 30 degrees and the evenings were just as warm. So it was rum punch on the beach until way after sunset.
We stayed at the Coconut Court hotel again this year again due to us enjoying it so much last year. A 3* property that lives up to its star rating if not exceeding it! The staff make this hotel a firm favourite with repeat guests and locals alike. They ensured we had the same room as last year as requested as it was perfect for our family, a corner room that was huge and had a lovely balcony that we watched the sun rise from a few mornings. Mainly due to us adjusting to the time difference and also excited children!
This holiday was especially special as we took both our mums with us ('The Grandmas' as they were affectionately known) so we wanted to show them the sights of the island and really get to know the people and the island more. So we hired a car and off we went for two fun filled action packed days. Well, as action packed as you can get on this laid-back island.
We followed a self-drive tour route up to the top of the island, the most northerly point which was the Animal Flower cave. Make sure you get there by 5pm when it shuts as we found out at 5.05pm!
You can view the dramatic cliffs and blow holes from the view point. Well worth the journey up there. Our route took us through Holetown, Speightstown and through some amazing countryside. We stopped a few times at some lovely little roadside bars and cafes. The island is only 20 miles long although the roads are hit and miss and there are very few road signs getting lost is inevitable but you soon find your way back on the right road.
The drive along the Platinum coast was breathtaking, especially looking out for the exclusive addresses such as Number 1 Sandy Lane where Rhianna and Simon Cowell are said to have properties!
We also headed over to the East Coast and to a place called Bathsheba. Which was featured in the James Bond movie The Man in the Iron Mask! Its rugged coastline and the fact that this is where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean Sea makes way for the surfers to surf the waves of the Soup Bowl. A really amazing place and so different to the West coast. They have a really great beach café called Dina's where we had lunch - the best rum punch we had and lovely Bajan food!
Can you tell I am in love with Barbados yet?
The highlight of our trip was swimming with the sea turtles from a catamaran called Imagine which is run by a company called Bolador tours. They are just brilliant and looked after us all really well. Well worth checking them out as they have a maximum of 14 on their boat so it feels like a private charter! Charlie our captain just made the trip so enjoyable and made us laugh all day!
Geoff the skipper and all round marine expert safely made sure we all got the most out of the snorkelling we did. The turtles seem to know him and come and feed from his hand so getting up close and personal with them was guaranteed! My four year old was just as much at ease with the snorkelling as the rest of us so I'd definitely recommend taking your children on this trip. Where else do they get to do something as amazing as that?
Price wise, with the US dollar rate dropping against the Pound it made prices a little more expensive this year so restaurant prices were around what you would pay here. It can get a bit pricey when you’re eating out every night. With drinks you can expect to pay around BDS$5 (£4) for a beer and BDS$10 (£8) for a cocktail. So you are best making the most of the happy hours which we did - wine is expensive unless you buy it from a local store (not supermarket).
We chose a three star self-catering hotel but there are loads of hotels across the island to suit all budgets!
To sum it up make sure if you chose Barbados as your next holiday destination to first of all contact me! But also to make sure when your there you get out and about and meet the people, listen to their stories and enjoy their island as much as they do! Don't stay in your hotel, get out and explore!
Barbados - we will be back next year, keep the rum punch on ice!