Barbados – Gem of the Caribbean
After about 300 years of British heritage, Barbados still bears distinct traits of Britain. Cricket is the national sport and to this day a statue erected March 1813 of English navel hero, Admiral Horatio Nelson, stands robustly in Trafalgar Square, in the city of Bridgetown – the designated island capital under British rule since 1657. As the island continues to soar in attaining world-class standards, ‘Bajans’ (BAY-juns), as Barbadians call themselves, are not about to stop now! Inadvertently discovered by the British, due to navigational miscalculations by Captain Henry Powell, these first settlers saw the island’s favourable climate and rich soils as a golden opportunity for agriculture, dubbing it ‘Little England’ in 1627. So significant were the profits reaching the Crown of England from planters in Barbados at the time, it was described as “the richest spot on earth” and today remains ‘Gem of the Caribbean”.
Barbados is known to be the leading Caribbean tourist destination for repeat visitors and enjoys tremendous appeal worldwide today. What makes Barbados so appealing? There are many cited reasons, to name a few – the beautiful white, sandy beaches and crystal clear waters that reflect every imaginable shade of blue, the booming property market, the development of luxurious accommodation and residential communities. In addition, the wide range of cultural and sporting festivals, the growing popularity as a fine dining destination, the increasing recognition of indigenous arts and craft, diverse shopping experience of high quality locally owned stores and select exclusive international stores with added benefit of established Tax Free policy (up 50% less than regular prices in Europe and North America). However, the most cited reason for the success of Barbados are the Barbadian people. Bajans are generally of a friendly, easy-going and hospitable in nature. Indeed, the strength of Barbados’ tourism based economy and the ability its people to embrace the culture of visitors is largely accredited to this Bajan demeanor.
Barbados boasts a literacy rate of 99%, with education being mandatory up to O’Level and free of cost up to A’Level for its nationals. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that the island’s economy is stable, making it a leading attraction for international businesses and investors. Highly ranked worldwide as a premier destination, regular holiday makers and celebrities alike, continue to enjoy the perfect mix for business opportunity, leisure and the pleasure the island offers.
With a well-developed sporting infrastructure, coupled with the superb weather, Barbados is equally sought after by international sports associations. There are four golf courses of PGA standard, the Country Club and the Green Monkey at Sandy Lane, the impressive Royal Westmoreland course designed by Robert Trent-Jones Jnr. and the Barbados Golf Club. Polo has been a part of the sporting arena since 1884. The sport can be played or observed from December to April at any of four spectacular playing fields located at Holder’s Hill, Waterhall, Clifton or Lion Castle.
This small island, a mere 21 miles x 14 miles (166 sq. miles) proudly and successfully hosted world-class sporting events. The most recent of these being the ICC Cricket World Cup Final in 2007 at the newly rebuilt Kensington Oval, the European Seniors Golf Tour at Royal Westmoreland, the World Cup of Golf at the Country Club in Sandy Lane - also the choice of renowned golfer Tiger Woods for his wedding in 2004. Annual sporting events attracting international attention include The International Windsurfing and Reef Surfing Championships at the Soup Bowl, Bathesheba, in February and November respectively; the Sandy Gold Cup horse-racing at the Garrison Savannah in March; The Barbados Rally Carnival in May and the Run Barbados Marathon 10k in December.
What to do in Barbados? Let’s start with the obvious – The Beach- take a coastal tour in dazzling waters by choosing from an exciting range of fun coastal cruises. Go diving or snorkeling in the crystal clear water to discover the diverse marine life, reef systems and historical shipwrecks. You’ll quite enjoy snorkeling / mingling with the ‘Bajan’ Hawksbill and Green-back turtles, their friendly manner is much like that of Bajans. Get your adrenaline flowing from a range of exhilarating watersports.
Fancy a trip back into the illustrious past of Barbadian ancestors? Do just that with a tour of the Barbados Museum and Historical Society at the Garrision Savannah, the Arlington House Museum in Speightstown or Nedhe Israel Museum Synagogue in Bridgetown. Observe the extravagant lifestyle enjoyed by wealthy British planters with a tour of two of the Western Hemisphere’s three Jacobean mansions at the St. Nicholas Abbey in St. Peter and Drax Hall house in St. George. An insightful tour of the world’s oldest and finest rum, enjoyed for over 300 years can be had at the Mount Gay Rum Tour on Spring Garden Highway in St. Michael.
Enjoy the island’s natural beauty with a visit to the Harrison’s Cave, one of the many botanical gardens across the island or an adventurous Island Safari Tour among others. Embrace the gentler side of Barbadian culture at one of the art galleries, the Pelican Art and Craft Centre in Bridgetown, Earthworks pottery or eager craftsmen plying their trade along the beaches.
Not to be left out, is the wide range of fine dining restaurants, you can be sure to find culinary styles from each and every corner of the globe from Asia to Europe to South America, including ‘good ol’ Caribbean cuisine. Restaurants such as The Cliff, Lonestar, Daphne’s, L’Acajou at Sandy Lane and The Tides have acquired world class recognition in the area of fine dining. Barbados’ culinary strengths is undoubtedly in the high standard of local fresh fish and seafood which is always readily available.
Try if you might to arrange a visit in July – August to experience local Crop Over Festival, Barbados’ ever-popular carnival. This month long cultural celebration climaxes with the ultimate street party on the first Monday of August. The festival officially signals the end of the sugar cane harvest season. Like many other cultural and arts event, the Crop Over Festival is planned and produced by the National Cultural Foundation of Barbados. Visit www.ncf.bb for more information.
A warm welcome awaits you, whether you arrive by scheduled or chartered airline or private jet at the enhanced Grantley Adams International Airport in the south; aboard a cruise ship or sail boat at the buzzing Bridgetown Cruise Terminal just a mile away from the central city; or by private, luxury yacht that can be docked in the lagoon just outside an exclusive waterfront property at the Port St. Charles Marina in the north. You will discover many treasures for your indulgence within this ‘island gem’.
Barbados certainly offers something for everyone!
