Barbados
Barbados
I have just booked to go in 5 weeks:D
I am so excited:cmeek: we are staying at the almond beach club & spa
has anyone been & stayed here.
What is barbados like? as fabulous as I think?? (which is pretty fabulous:lol: :lol: ) xx
Answers:
I was gonna go Barbados, all-inclusive, but i cant remember the resort. :cmdunno:
Answers:
Hi.
I've been twice, staying in Oistins, and Hastings. If it's the resort in James town on the west coast you're staying at, it's about a half hour drive from the airport, and about 20 mins from the capital (Bridgetown). A half hour bus drive in this country is fine - in Barbados it's stiffling and feels like a life time after a long haul night flight, then getting off a plane into the all enveloping heat and humidity of Barbados.
The beaches are as good as they look - the sea is warm and clear (very calm on that side of the island too) the sand is white, the sun is baking (even if overcast and breezy, that sun is very powerful) and the palm trees are magical to sit under. There tends to be a lot of rain showers (not sure when the rainy season is sorry) and both times we were there, it rained a few times a day but the showers are warm and don't last long. Within about 15 minutes, it's all dry and hot again.
Although it looks beautiful from your hotel window, there are many parts of Barbados that are very poor and slum like. If you go on any trips (Harrisons cave is good) you'll be driving away from the advertised areas, and see much more of the real Barbados.
Most shops, banks etc are delightfully air conditioned, but everywhere else just has electric fans or erm, you use a newspaper to fan yourself!!
The mozzies are a demon.
The local aloe vera plants used for sunburn are very cool and soothing - you literally just snap them open and use the juice (but ask someone who knows first or you might end up covered in something nasty or poisonous.)
Cricket and horse racing are the local sports so there's always lots of cricket games going on (in full whites) and it was lovely to see quite a few race horses being taken for a swim in the sea (you don't see that everyday!) but I never saw them racing as I don't like it.
We ened up staying in the complex to swim and sunbathe, as we got sick of the constant hassle from locals to buy things - everything from coconuts and coral to jewellry and hair braiding. It was literally every few minutes and I know they have to make a living but they won't take no for an answer.
We even got offered drugs on the beach so watch out for that as the police take a very dim view of drugs.
The island is quite small from what I remember - 16 by 26 miles or something. You can easily drive round it if you hire a car. The roads aren't great - they drive on the left but there seems to be a distinct lack of highway code and everyone seems to drive in the middle of the road (where there are less pot holes I guess!) only moving over when they have to. Buses don't leave til they are crammed full (but you can't hear the panting and the sound of people melting over the roar of the music :lol: )
Sunset happens very quickly indeed. I was amazed how quick the sun went down and was all set with my camera to do some sunset shots, and by the time I'd finished making sure the shot was perfect, the sun had gone- you can literally see it sliding down - quite amazing. Don't know about sunrise, I was never up that early :sleep:
Can't think of anything else at the moment really.
The people are warm and friendly, the rum is strong, and you are going to have a fantastic time. I'm dead jealous.
Answers:
LoC thank you so much for your reply, loads of detail - thanks!
Someone has recommended the oistins fish fry on a friday - did you go??
We are next door to sandy lane in St James. We were just going to hail a cab at the airport as havent arranged any transfers, do you think this will be ok?
xx
Answers:
A very long time ago, (like 12 years, where did the time go?!) I ended up in the Almond Beach Village so sister resort to the club and it was very nice. I say I ended up there as we were evacuated from St Kitts before an incoming severe hurricane and it was a really odd 24 hours before we ended up there so it felt like heaven. :D
It will be the rainy season - if it's anything like Florida, the hurricane season starts on 1st June and runs into October although it's not had a severe hurricane in over 50 years now and the peak time for hurricanes is September. But yes, you will get showers probably.
Have a great time Jorden. :D
kateab
I have just booked to go in 5 weeks:D
I am so excited:cmeek: we are staying at the almond beach club & spa
has anyone been & stayed here.
What is barbados like? as fabulous as I think?? (which is pretty fabulous:lol: :lol: ) xx
Answers:
I was gonna go Barbados, all-inclusive, but i cant remember the resort. :cmdunno:
Answers:
Hi.
I've been twice, staying in Oistins, and Hastings. If it's the resort in James town on the west coast you're staying at, it's about a half hour drive from the airport, and about 20 mins from the capital (Bridgetown). A half hour bus drive in this country is fine - in Barbados it's stiffling and feels like a life time after a long haul night flight, then getting off a plane into the all enveloping heat and humidity of Barbados.
The beaches are as good as they look - the sea is warm and clear (very calm on that side of the island too) the sand is white, the sun is baking (even if overcast and breezy, that sun is very powerful) and the palm trees are magical to sit under. There tends to be a lot of rain showers (not sure when the rainy season is sorry) and both times we were there, it rained a few times a day but the showers are warm and don't last long. Within about 15 minutes, it's all dry and hot again.
Although it looks beautiful from your hotel window, there are many parts of Barbados that are very poor and slum like. If you go on any trips (Harrisons cave is good) you'll be driving away from the advertised areas, and see much more of the real Barbados.
Most shops, banks etc are delightfully air conditioned, but everywhere else just has electric fans or erm, you use a newspaper to fan yourself!!
The mozzies are a demon.
The local aloe vera plants used for sunburn are very cool and soothing - you literally just snap them open and use the juice (but ask someone who knows first or you might end up covered in something nasty or poisonous.)
Cricket and horse racing are the local sports so there's always lots of cricket games going on (in full whites) and it was lovely to see quite a few race horses being taken for a swim in the sea (you don't see that everyday!) but I never saw them racing as I don't like it.
We ened up staying in the complex to swim and sunbathe, as we got sick of the constant hassle from locals to buy things - everything from coconuts and coral to jewellry and hair braiding. It was literally every few minutes and I know they have to make a living but they won't take no for an answer.
We even got offered drugs on the beach so watch out for that as the police take a very dim view of drugs.
The island is quite small from what I remember - 16 by 26 miles or something. You can easily drive round it if you hire a car. The roads aren't great - they drive on the left but there seems to be a distinct lack of highway code and everyone seems to drive in the middle of the road (where there are less pot holes I guess!) only moving over when they have to. Buses don't leave til they are crammed full (but you can't hear the panting and the sound of people melting over the roar of the music :lol: )
Sunset happens very quickly indeed. I was amazed how quick the sun went down and was all set with my camera to do some sunset shots, and by the time I'd finished making sure the shot was perfect, the sun had gone- you can literally see it sliding down - quite amazing. Don't know about sunrise, I was never up that early :sleep:
Can't think of anything else at the moment really.
The people are warm and friendly, the rum is strong, and you are going to have a fantastic time. I'm dead jealous.
Answers:
LoC thank you so much for your reply, loads of detail - thanks!
Someone has recommended the oistins fish fry on a friday - did you go??
We are next door to sandy lane in St James. We were just going to hail a cab at the airport as havent arranged any transfers, do you think this will be ok?
xx
Answers:
A very long time ago, (like 12 years, where did the time go?!) I ended up in the Almond Beach Village so sister resort to the club and it was very nice. I say I ended up there as we were evacuated from St Kitts before an incoming severe hurricane and it was a really odd 24 hours before we ended up there so it felt like heaven. :D
It will be the rainy season - if it's anything like Florida, the hurricane season starts on 1st June and runs into October although it's not had a severe hurricane in over 50 years now and the peak time for hurricanes is September. But yes, you will get showers probably.
Have a great time Jorden. :D
kateab