I got back from two heavenly weeks in Barbados last Saturday, spent this week recovering and getting used to the british weather!
I stayed at *Edit to remove website link advertising business. Pippy HT Mod*
Actually owned by my parents, so i'm a little biased, but i LOVE the area - just 25m from the LOVELY beach and with amazingly kept private gardens with at least 5 different fruit trees, nesting birds, mongoose (and babies!) and monkeys.
Sandwiched between Discovery Bay (Virgin Holiday) and the rather lovely and exclusive Sandpiper is a great setting - far enough out of holetown to be quiet most the day and night, but close enough to be stumbling distance from the bars, resturants and clubs!!
Favourite place to eat and drink is still Cocomos - the bar and waiting staff are amazing and will look after you!! Food there is top-notch for a fairly reasonable price (i think two of us had starters and mains for $90) - try their catch of the day blackened, or the fishermans platter!
Cocmos....
For lunch we always eat from Princess' van - at the back of the West Coast mall - she does all the typical bajan food - the curries, rice and pie are all great - around $9 to stuff yourself!!
Super Center is also good for subs, not tried their hot food.
There was also a rasta, this time around, who parked at the end of our road (just before sandpiper, oppostite the doctors sugery, by the cricket pitch) - he did 100% veggie food - more than you can eat for $8 - have the ban stew and rice! YUM!!!
Eat at Pizzaz - ask for less cheese than usual and have all the toppings your heart desires! REALLY great pizza - expect to wait though as they're made to order and cooked fully, not like at home! Quiet time's will be 20min, busy times could be up to an hour!
Also try Chefette - the islands fast food chain - their chicken burgers are a delight! And if in season so are the flying fish burgers!
If you really want to treat yourself head up to La Mer at port st charles on a sunday - past Speightstown (as you're treating yourselves - may as well get a cab!!). Their sunday buffet is an absolute MUST! I think it's $150bbds and it's amazing - fat shrip, sushi, full sunday lunch, lobster, canapes and so on - all you can eat! The surroundings alone are worth it, and you can people spot to your hearts content!
For my 20th birthday one year we took a group of us and on the table next to us was the prime minister and his entourage - who sang me happy birthday!
http://www.portstcharles.com/
In regards to all things sea and beach related.......
I personally prefere to sunbathe in the garden - i can get my all-over tan there as the gardens are private, but you can do the same on the pontoon opposite sanpiper and the beach is lovely is you're not a sand-phobe liky myself!
The snorkelling there is EXCELLENT - Folkstone Marine Park is one end of the bay and the snorkelling couldn't be better - although when it's swelly or choppy the waves tend to break there (to the point there were surfers there this year when the swells were HUGE!!). But i've seen everything there - from puffer fish, box fish and turtles! The corals are also stunning as they're not spoilt at all.
http://www.barbados.org/folkstone.htm
A qualified scaba instructor friend of mine recently visited Barbados and said it's just not worth scuba diving there - the snorkelling covers everything you could want to see!
For activites - I recommend High Tides Water Sports - found at Sandpiper Hotel. The staff are amazing, helpfull. And if you're not staying in one of the hotels where their services are inclusive, their rates are good and negotiable for bulk-sessions! Definitely try the hobe-cat with Keon, or water-skiing with Dave/Bear/Sims/Corey - all amazing guys who'll give you the right tips to get you skiing! Tell them i send my love!
http://www.divehightide.com/
For big cruises - we always, always go with Rabbit on Stilletto. Have been for 5 years now. They moor at Discovery Bay, so it's LOADS more convenient then heading down to Bridgetown! I would go for the Champagne crusie - ideal for couples, get to swim with turtles and watch the sun go down with canapes and a bottle of champagne.
They only operate with 26 persons or less per boat - smaller than most who fill up their boats - once we went with only 6 other people - and if you keep Rabbit chatting you can often get another hour or so out of your crusie if he's having fun!
http://www.funbarbados.com/Tours/stiletto.CFM
We have heard good things of Cool Runnings cruises too, but you do have to head to Bridgetown to board them.
Rent a car!!! We've not trouble with ANY of the companies we've used. Go over Cherry Tree Hill, go to Chalky Mount, go to Bathsheba, go past Morgan Lewis Windmill - in fact turn left down a track past the windmill and you'll get to one of the most beautiful and remote beaches on the entire island - well worth the visit!
Go to Bridgetown and walk about! Bridge Street (the main one!) is lovely, but for real Bajan - walk Swan Street, where the main bus stop is - it's great, full of atmosphore! We love to eat at the Cheffette at the end of Bridge street - overlooking the marina upstairs!
If you're a football (or any sport!) fan - head to The Coach House - past Sandy Lane (if you're heading south), near Paynes Bay i believe. We wathched the West Ham vs Man-U game this year, lots of fans, english and bajan, great atmosphere and big screens!! Their steak fish burger is one of the best i've ever had!
FLY VIRGIN!!!!
We've never had a problem with them!
This year funds were tight and we went with Excel Airways - a charter company - good if you're skint (we paid £304 return), but basic.
Virgin's always good and often quite empty, so you can get 4 seats to spread across to get some good sleep!]
Right - i could write forever, but i won't! Feel free to email me if you want to ask any questions - Barbados is a HUGE passion of mine and i could answer many questions (if i can't my bajan boyfriend probably could!).
All the best, Caroline
*Edit to remove email address. Pippy HT Mod. *
(thats me and Tony Blair at La Mer!!)
