Beautiful Barbados!

Vince Bendin on 27 June 2018
It's almost 25 years since I visited Barbados on honeymoon. It's a trip that has lasted long in the memory and I've always dreamed of going back one day.

It's aptly described as the gem of the Caribbean Sea. It's just 21 miles long by what the locals call a "smile wide" (14 miles), this paradise island has stunning coral pink and white sand beaches all washed by the emerald and turquoise warm waters of the Caribbean and really does offer something for everyone!

Barbados gained independence in 1966 but still keeps a lot of its links to British heritage. With 11 parishes, the island is affectionately referred to as “Bimshire” or “Little England”. It's undoubtedly one of the friendliest places I have ever visited where the people are every bit as sunny as the climate!!

It has accommodation to suit all budgets from comfortable self-catering apartments to luxurious 5* all-inclusive properties with private beaches and a dazzling array of international cuisine to pick from as well as local restaurants serving traditional Bajan dishes. Don’t go to Barbados without trying flying fish cutters, their Macaroni pie, Bajan style pork chops, Banks beer and their legendary Rum punch. St Lawrence Gap is the perfect place to find an abundance of restaurants and bars and to sample the vibrant night life with local calypso and reggae bands.

For the perfect way to explore, hire a car for a couple of days and start exploring, they drive on the left there too! You'll see sugar cane fields, beautiful old plantations houses, rum shacks, and on a Sunday morning watch the locals heading for church dressed in all their finery. An abiding memory was listening to a gospel choir in a small chapel about 10 minutes from Holetown where we stayed and sat outside, captivated by their wonderful singing.

A must do is a visit to the rugged East Coast, which is so reminiscent of Cornwall with the dramatic Atlantic Ocean and incredible rock formations. The scenic Scotland district with the island's highest point, Mount Hillaby. North Point and the Animal Flower cave are all worth a visit. However, everyone is drawn most to the idyllic beaches of west and south coasts where every single beach is as beautiful as the next.

If you enjoy excursions you can try a Jeep safari that takes you completely off the beaten track or take to the sea for a relaxing day on a catamaran or join The Jolly Roger party cruise.

My favourite memory of this amazing holiday island - sitting at our hotel beach bar watching the stunning sunsets with a Rum punch or cocktail in hand. Simply beautiful....

Will I go back one day? Absolutely.....