12 Days in Barbados- Part 2

Tuesday 8th March – The hotel offers day trips to its sister hotels; The Sands and Mango Bay (but not the vice versa we noticed), and we decided to take another visit to Mango Bay as it’s nicely positioned on the more upmarket west coast and a beautiful white beach. Situated right on the beach we did nothing more energetic than wave the flag thoughtfully provided by the sunbed to summon more drinks, with the sunbeds equipped with very comfortable mattresses and the beach very quiet inevitably an afternoon snooze followed the great 3 course lunch and drinks. We did venture a swim, although we forgot the steep drop into the sea and the climb needed to get out; ended up crawling on all fours which was not dignified. We weren’t alone in the struggle though, and it was entertaining to watch others struggle and resort to the rope provided to beach themselves.

This evening we said our goodbyes to Rene and Carmen, and were to do same with Maxine and Adam but they realised they’d mixed up their return dates so

they got a bonus unexpected additional day! We shall miss Rene and Carmen; they’ve been great company and it’s a measure of Carmen’s caring nature that she sought to give little gifts to the staff at the hotel who’d gone the extra mile. It made us all smile the trouble she went to; even gifting magazines and chocolate bars. On that theme we shall all miss her kindness in keeping us all provided with late evening crisps and chocolate; and her kind words in saying her goodbyes to us.

Wednesday 9th March – We decided today to take a leisurely walk to St Lawrence Gap (10k round trip) and try out some different bars and eat lunch out. The very scenic route took us by the Garrison and racetrack and down through Hastings mostly along the Boardwalk before crossing the crescent of Rockley Beach visiting the Tikki Bar for refreshments, and back onto the main coast road past the well-known “Champers” (a favourite of Maxine & Adam) before following the pretty, narrow Worthing Beach (past the chickens and goats roaming around a bar we’d previously stopped at) lined with holiday rentals before passing the Sands Hotel and the branching off to the “Gap”.

Lunch & refreshments were required, and after failing miserably at a couple of busy looking traditional places we went back to Sharkey’s; turned out to be a great choice and we enjoyed huge fish cutters, fries and Banks for not much. The Gap was interesting to see, quiet in the day with the copious bars mostly closed, but the positioning of a mobile police station reinforced our thoughts as being not for us. As we walked along the main road, we heard someone shouting our names and out of a hotel Rene appeared; spotted us from the mini bus taking them back to the airport so came out to say cheerio; a lovely gesture.

We got back to the Hotel just before 6, a bit hot, sweaty and dishevelled to be fair so we plonked down for a drink and wondered where everyone was as the bar was empty; that was before people started to appear dressed in their best for the cocktail evening starting at 6. Time for a sharp exit, taking our second G & T with us, back to the room for a shower and change.

After a BBQ dinner we had some music, and the pleasure of seeing Mrs B hit the dance floor with her pointy finger reggae (coat hanger in jacket still) style, and great stamina it has to be said. Even Steve, 2 days before his 70th, admirably joined in too much applause and later in the evening we had the pleasure of seeing Elsie twerking in multiple locations around the bar with a big smile on her face; joined by the elastic barman Trey and later Mrs H and Maxine couldn’t resist. Adam and myself of course did not, and sat it out talking.

Our group now down to four, made an error in judgement later that evening and joined another couple for a chat. I’d forgotten this aging “loved up” couple from last time; and their touchy-feely approach was just as uncomfortable and stomach turning as it was before and fortunately, they did later get a room…

For the next 2 days we’d hired ourselves a car, through ANSA which was a great recommendation from a fellow guest, and they were due to drop the car off at 9:30. This turned out to be interesting timing as it clashed with a Tsunami exercise the hotel was taking part in due to start at 10. To her credit the rep rushed through the handover, allowing us to take a sharp exit before we were “evacuated”. This turned out to be a blessing, as Steve told us later he was whisked off to a shelter and not allowed back until lunchtime. Mrs B in her element, mixing it with local police and military, and no doubt in full control.

We both enjoyed our tour around the island at our own pace, and set out on the Thursday to visit the most northerly point via the west coastal road. Picking our day well, it was mostly overcast with rain showers as we stopped firstly at Speightstown for a look around and coffee stop at the fashionable Orange Street Grocer café. The town is a typical older Caribbean style, with a mix of buildings and the quaint historic Fisherman pub on the seafront. From there we diverted to take a look at the Sugar Cane Club Hotel, which we’d previously considered. Nice, but too remote, away from the beaches & reliant on transport.

Continuing along the coast road before cutting inland through fields of sugar cane we headed to the Animal Flower Caves at North Point; where the laid back Caribbean fights with the more rowdy Atlantic. The day was wet and windy, so we were treated to a very dramatic crashing of waves on this rugged rocky coastline; wet from the sea spray and rain we abandoned our intended long walk on the cliff tops.

I wanted to continue on the Atlantic coast to visit Bethsheba, on recommendation of an old school friend, and we vaguely followed the map and worsening roads until we hit a road closed sign & diversion. This took us through some contrasting scenery with open views to sea, past the Morgan Lewis windmill (the last sugar cane mill to operate on Barbados, stopping in 1947 before being more recently refurbished) after negotiating some seriously steep hills on rough roads. We were flagged down at the end of the diversion by a local sitting by the roadside apparently employed to give directions to lost tourists, of course he was. We warily wound the window an inch as he stood in front of the car; and his hand was soon in to see what he could have away with on the premise of guiding us on the map; off we went with no harm done.

Bethsheba was indeed stunning and we stopped at the aptly named Sea View Bar high above the sweep of the bay; an English couple who turned out to be part time locals got talking to us and we soon learned they were originally from Borrowash, next village to where I grew up & knew my family. Small world, particularly as when we got back to Wi-Fi at the hotel I received a message from my school friend that this couple were her parents! The route back to the hotel would naturally be through Bridgetown which we didn’t fancy as traffic on main routes at this time is very busy, credit due to Mrs H for navigating us through shortcuts.

With Maxine & Adam sadly gone home we spent our evening with the charming, down to earth and funny Steve, here on his own for the cricket & his 70th Birthday, Sharon & Chris the Estate Agents and the pair from Milton Keynes. A bit of a strained evening to be fair, as it felt a bit like a competition almost between the latter couples; oddly we did spend more time with Steve & MK folk later in the holiday.

The outing next day was more sedate as I fancied some snorkelling at Folkestone Marine Park on the beautiful west coast. It was a super blue skies, clear sea, white sands and sunshine day and we enjoyed pootling around the artificial reef watching the colourful & plentiful marine life. We took a packed lunch with us from the hotel; and were joined at the bench in the shade by an elderly Bajhan chap who was quite happy putting the world to rights as we listened, harmless though. Electing to mingle again that evening, we chatted with another couple from Derbyshire.

I’d mentioned the Island is behind the UK in its Covid recovery and still has restrictions in place, notably masks (& gloves at the buffet) and during our stay a Covid inspection forced the tables being moved apart & an indoor overspill area used for dining. We had to stand our ground & politely insist we eat on the terrace, not least one evening when a frankly horrendous woman,

who we heard each night telling anyone and everyone she’s a manager & explaining the ins and outs of her job in detail all evening, was sat on her own in there…

Remembering this is a tropical island wildlife is abundant & different, ranging from chirping tree frogs, monkeys, cheeky breakfast stealing birds and rats…including a particularly chunky & rapid one which ran straight through our courtyard table & over Adam’s foot before scurrying off under the decking. Caused a laugh to be fair and as we were the last group out still I’m sure we made plenty of noise. This was not an isolated appearance & we watched them scuttling around most nights after, didn’t both me but MK lady, as we sat with them later in the week, was most put out by them and clearly pissed at her hubby who knew about them but had not told her.

Before closing this chapter I have to mention the bar staff we happily got

back, Mrs B’s return I suspect being the catalyst.

First to appear was a day time barman covering a day shift between working the Gap; a cocktail mixologist he was wasted in the daytime although Adam & Rene did their best to keep him challenged with many many creations with Rene particularly partial to a curious bright green beverage or two.

Next up came new starter Terry who was keen to win friends serving GIN (& tonic) RUM (& coke) and we did need to ask him to pare back a little, lightweights as we are.

Mainstay barman (aside from the main man) seemed to be Tre, a high energy, rubber limbed live wire self confessed ADHD. Day after Oistins Fish Friday he was definitely stoned still though & was on a clear low. I should also mention waitress Ricao who quietly whispered she remembered us from last time, and lovely to hear she’d recently become a Mum and pleased to be able to pass over a few dollars for her to spend on baby.

Lastly the main man Lemar, as mentioned in the final chapter we sadly only got one evening with him but what a warm welcome. Unprompted recognition from 2 years ago and hugs for us both seemed to embody what this place is all about.