Barbados

Barbados is an independent island with an English history and is the most easterly of the Caribbean islands.  Our ship docked in the capital city of Bridgetown on the southwest side of the island on the Caribbean Sea.  Because Barbados is such a lush green island with various landscapes, we decided to take a tour that circled the whole island so we could see as much as possible and take in the diversity.  Departing from Bridgetown, we headed along the coastline to the West coast of the island where some of the most exclusive 5-star hotels are located.  The famous Sandy Lane Resort is in this area.  The hotel rooms start at $3,000.00 US per night.  Tiger Woods was married here and rented all of the rooms for his wedding guests.  We all know how that turned out!  We also passed by an 8-Unit condominium complex where the famous singer from Barbados, Rihanna, owns an 8,000 square foot unit.  Sadly, we did not get a chance to knock on her door for a visit.

From there we went to the North coast passed the agricultural area where fields of sugar cane and other crops grow in abundance.  They export sugar to England, but the other crops are for their own consumption.  With the tropical, moist climate and rich soil there is no reason to go hungry on this island.  Also, flying fish is a very popular dish here.  Somehow, the Bajans have mastered the art of picking out the bones of this very bony fish.

Traveling along narrow, mountainous roads, we continued to the East coast of the island to check out the “wild side”.  The Atlantic side has a rugged, rocky shoreline and rough seas.  We stopped in the fishing village of Bathsheba and checked out the scenic rough coastline up close.  The area is known as “Surfer’s Paradise” and hosts international surfing competitions annually.  Surfing here is not for the faint of heart.

Scenic overlook

Bathsheba

"Mushroom Rock" - Boulders that fell from the mountains
and eroded from the strong Atlantic waves

Next, we stopped to tour the historic St. John’s Church located 800 feet above the coastline offering a breathtaking view of the waves crashing in on the shore down below.  The church has held services since 1635.  Our tour guide pointed out that every parish on the island has a parish church.  Around the corner from each church is a rum bar.  The islanders say they get you in the "spirit" through one or the other.


View of eastern shoreline from above at St Johns Church

Church cemetery



St. Johns Anglican Church

Interestingly, there are remnants of a number of windmills scattered around the island.  We passed by them as we toured. One of the ancient windmills still operates at the Morgan Lewis Sugar Mill.

Our final stop on the tour took us to the Sunbury Plantation House which was built in 1660.  The house is still under private ownership, but the owners do not reside there anymore.  It houses a museum containing furnishings and artifacts from the plantation era.  Touring the many rooms of the house and its cellar offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of the wealthy plantation owners through history.


Sunbury Plantation  House/Museum

We finished up our tour with a buffet lunch served on the grounds of the plantation.  The menu included flying fish and, of course, rum punch made with flavorful Mount Gay rum which is distilled here in Barbados.

NEXT STOP, DEVIL'S ISLAND, FRENCH GUIANA.