How to Spend a Week in Barbados
I’m swimming in the turquoise waters of a secluded beach on the west coast of Barbados. The sun is shimmering on the undulating water. I raise my eyes to see some boats drifting toward the horizon and wish I could pause this scene. From the shore, one of my friends waves me over as she makes a toast with a glass of wine. I submerge myself into the glassy waters and ask myself: If this is not paradise, then what is? Barbados has everything you need for an absolute disconnection: deep-rooted culture, fish fries and rum, and soca music, all against a backdrop best described as paradise.
Where to Stay
In Barbados you are never more than 12 miles from the sea. The best way to understand the island is to divide the map into five parts: the tranquil upper west coast, the tourist central south coast, the wild east coast bordering the Atlantic, the island’s interior, and the capital of Bridgetown, or “Little England” as many call it. Depending on what you’re looking for during your stay, you’ll find Barbados has a lodging to fit every taste and budget. My friends and I decide to rent a three-bedroom house steps from the ocean, with a comfortable kitchen, a small plunge pool and a lovely deck overlooking the sea. There’s no better way to mix with locals and have a real sense of place than by being part of a neighborhood, buying groceries like everyone else and waving hi to the waiters at the next-door restaurant (which, by the way, is called Fish Pot Restaurant and is a gourmet, upscale spot).
Little Good Harbour House
As we head to the quiet village of Shermans on the west coast of the island, our driver, called James Bond, jokes about the long drive from the airport to our rented Little Good Harbour House. “Who chose this house?” he asks with a touch of sarcasm in a Bajan (Barbadian) accent. For the whole trip we wonder if we’ve made a good choice about accommodations. But as soon as we step into this superb home, we know we have. Set on the water’s edge, this cozy cottage is the perfect place to stay with friends, soak up the warmth and unplug from the digital world.
Diving and Snorkeling
Once I’ve checked with locals about the currents and tides in this particular spot, I’m ready to jump into the calm, blue waters. You don’t have to be a professional diver to snorkel in the Caribbean and tropical western Atlantic reefs, so as soon as I have my snorkeling equipment ready, my journey begins. Through my mask I see the seabed composed of coral rubble and a few copper sweeper fish swimming hurriedly to the deep. As I try to follow their pace I discover a surrealistic spectacle: a school of French Grunt swimming among the rocky reefs and the elongated body of a lonely trumpetfish camouflaged by the coral reef. For a moment this image seems like a dream, like being swallowed by a sense of infinity that minimizes my body and amazes my mind. The experience of immersing in the undersea universe is sublime. Later on, I find out there are more than 40 dive sites, an extended listing of dive operators and many more reefs yet to be explored in Barbados. But for me, to see the pristine living coral and countless colorful fishes right outside my door is enough.
Out and About in Speightstown
There are many ways to move around in the island. You can hire a retainer taxi, rent a car or take public transportation (buses run from early morning till midnight). We decide to rent a car, grab a map and explore Barbados at our own pace. Our first stop is historic Speightstown. Originally settled around 1630, this small town was once a busy port and commercial center connecting the island with London and Bristol. We learn these interesting facts from Richard, aka Yardie, a friendly barman at Little Bristol Beach Bar. Here we try our first Barbadian meal: steak fish sandwich, shark wrap and the fresh tomato and watermelon salad, plus Yardie’s specialty, a coconut-flavored rum cocktail.
Before heading to the Speightstown boardwalk, which runs along the seafront between the town’s jetty and the northern end, we take a glimpse at the 17th-century St. Peter’s Parish Church, one of the island’s oldest churches. The current building dates to 1837 and is an example of Gothic-influenced Georgian architecture. Afterward, we stop for groceries and see what routine days look like for Speightstown residents. On our way out, I jot down the names of two eateries I’ll surely be back to taste: Juma’s (perhaps for a “Full Monty” breakfast or anything from the French-Bajan-Thai menu) and Fisherman’s Pub, a classic Speightstown spot filled with local flavor. Time to take out our cameras and get ready for a magnificient sunset stroll along the promenade.
Mullins Beach
On our way to Holetown (claimed for England in 1625), we spot Mullins Beach. We take a quick swim in the crystal waters and then walk barefoot to Mullins Beach Bar, a west coast institution. There we order cold Banks beers and taste the delicious shrimp roti as the Bajan music plays and the jubilant waiters move around deftly in their monkey logo T-shirts. We promise to return, but next time in a boat.
