I look forward to spending time away with my family on our annual vacation. Despite the opinions of others, I will never be too old for family vacation. It’s a time for us to just relax and connect, distraction free. It’s pure bliss.
(I also get to leave my wallet at home. WINNING!)
A busy summer for all of us kept us from our usual getaway, but in my Dad’s words: “I will not let 2017 go without a dip in some seawater.” While we love us a cruise, I knew my mother would not be for it. (She’s the deciding factor, even though me and my Dad technically out vote her. My sister just shows up ready to relax.) “We just did one last year!” is what she would say. So when my Dad suggested Barbados and she said yes, we started planning right away so she couldn’t change her mind.
This was my first time visiting Barbados and even though I wasn’t there for the entire week, I still had a blast. From relaxing on the beach, to the bustling streets of Bridgetown, it was a relaxing but immersive few days on the island. Plus, with it being the holidays, everything was extra festive. Christmas in the Caribbean? Yes, please.
SEE & DO
This was such a fun experience. We went to the to Wildlife Reserve priamrily to see the feeding of the monkeys but ended up discovering so many other animals that inhabit the reserve like tortoises, deer and peacocks. The feeding was definitely the highlight as all of the animals came together to eat. It was like a scene out of a Disney movie, until two of the monkeys started to fight each other.
Planet Earth in its unspoiled state. The tour is about 30 minutes long and is every bit educational as it is fascinating. Despite the provisions made to make the cave visitor-friendly, it remains truly unspoiled. Definitely a must see.
When I think of the Flower Forest, two words come to mind: pure and oasis. The forest is so peaceful, so tranquil, so beautiful. So much so, that even when you discover a spider on you that causes you to freak out and drop your camera, you will freak out internally as to not disturb the natural peacefulness.
Great lookout point with the opportunity to pick up some local crafts and specialties like sorrel (a drink made from a flower in the hibiscus family) and sugar cane for refreshment.
A piece of Barbados’ history, the Morgan Lewis Windmill is the only intact sugar mill on the island. The windmill is also still semi-functional and available for tours. It was closed when we were there but it was still nice for a photo op.
While I didn’t get to see this for myself, I was told that the horses that race at Garrison Savannah have a morning swim everyday at the beach by the Hilton and Ramada hotels. As badly as I wanted to see it for myself, 0530-0600 was just a tad bit too early for me. Definitely next time.
SLEEP & EAT
Hotel
We stayed at the Accra Beach Hotel in Christ Church, about 20 minutes from the airport. Booking a hotel was hard since Barbados is seeing an influx of travelers as many of the islands of the Caribbean continue to recover from the devastating hurricanes of the summer. Accra was nice and had a lot of great amenities (pool, beach access, spa), great location (many food options and transportation close by) and an incredibly helpful and kind staff. I wasn’t crazy about the room but it served its purpose for the few days we were there.
Restaurants
This was a recommendation from a family friend and one that did not disappoint. I can only describe Champers as a full dining experience. First off, the restaurant is located right on the beach, elevated just over the water. Second, the staff is incredible. Then of course there is the food. A blend of international cuisine with local/Caribbean flavors, this was one of the best meals I have ever eaten in my entire life. Top five for sure.
Saying I loved the food is probably a given, but the thing I absolutely loved about Brown Sugar was the ambiance. The open patio filled with flowers and other greenery were not just inviting, but added to the beauty of being in the Caribbean. Not to mention the sounds of the waves and the tree frogs nearby. The food was traditional Bajan/ Caribbean food that felt home cooked but elevated at the same time. I actually had a burger but it was Bajan-style, so I didn’t feel too guilty. (And I had had enough fish for the week so theres that.)
Chill ‘n Breeze is a new restaurant (opened in Spring of 2017) located by Barclays Park. It’s open air location right on the beach was the perfect stop for lunch during our tour of the East Coast of the island. The open windows gave us the view, sounds and breeze of the ocean that made for one of the most relaxing meals yet. The food is traditional Bajan, done incredibly well. The fish I had was so well seasoned and prepared that I almost placed a second order. The owner and staff are incredibly welcoming (and present) and it really lives up to its name of how chill it is. Couldn’t recommend more.
While this is Barbados’ version of fast food, it is not your typical North American fast food joint. The food is so good, it taste homemade. We picked up a few roti’s from Chefette for the plane ride home and they were on point. Since there is one located right before security, it appears quite a few other passengers on our flight had the same idea…
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